Anglo-Saxon/Irish Relations before the Vikings, ed. James Graham-Campbell and Michael Ryan

Abstract

This volume results from a joint symposium held by the British Academy and the Royal Irish Academy in 2005. It comprises eighteen papers which explore early medieval British-Irish relations from a range of different disciplinary perspectives. Broadly speaking, the first seven papers deal with texts; the next ten are concerned with objects; and the ‘addendum’ provides a later medieval perspective on pre-Viking-Age links between England and Ireland. The range of authors is very impressive, including both seasoned experts and young stars of early Insular studies. This makes the volume essential reading for anyone working in this field. The book begins with Patrick O’Neill’s keynote lecture on the origins of the Old English alphabet. A persuasive case is made that it was developed in the seventh century by English scholars trained in Ireland. This constitutes an impressive start to the volume. The contact between Irish and English ecclesiastics continues as a major theme. Fiona Edmonds sets out the practicalities involved in communication between Northumbrian and Irish churches. This includes a perceptive discussion of route-ways, ports and guesthouses. Paul Russell explores Gaelic names in the Durham Liber Vitae, and how these may be identified and dated. Roy Flechner’s paper analyses scholarly links in the mutual development of English and Irish canon law. He highlights the sophistication of Insular collections in their recognition of diversity. The Canons of Theodore, archbishop of Canterbury, and the great Collectio Canonum Hibernensis are shown to acknowledge differences (between Graeci and Romani or Hibernenses and Romani) in a manner which sought to reconcile conflict.