Cultural transition in East Anglia, c. 350 to c. 650, and the origins of the kingdom of the East Angles

Rush, Michael Calvert (2013). Cultural transition in East Anglia, c. 350 to c. 650, and the origins of the kingdom of the East Angles. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis is a study of the transition from Romano-British to Anglo-Saxon culture in East Anglia from the mid fourth to the mid seventh century, and of the origins of the kingdom of the East Angles. It combines three types of evidence: archaeology, place-names and written sources. It aims to test the validity of this kind of multidisciplinary regional study.

The first part of the thesis concerns material culture, and consists of a thorough investigation of the region's archaeological material from the late Roman and early Anglo-Saxon periods, focusing on the latest Romano-British evidence and earliest Germanic evidence. The early Anglo-Saxon-period population is characterised as heterogeneous, and the pays is posited as the most useful way of drawing distinctions within it. The second part looks at the linguistic evidence contained within the region's place-name corpus, and argues for the presence of a significant British element within the early "Anglo-Saxon" population. A comparison of the two types of evidence broadly confirms orthodox notions concerning Old English place-name chronology, although substantial intra-regional variation is highlighted. The third part collates evidence for the origins of the kingdom of the East Angles, and suggests that this variety was an important influence on its formation.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):