Writing a Good Book

Writing a Good Book: 

Uncovering the Work of Anglo-Saxon Scribes

Dr Christine Wallis

Thursday 28 May 19:00 - 20:30

University of Sheffield, Jessop West Exhibition Space

This talk will focus on how we can discover aspects of scribal training and attitudes to manuscript production among Anglo-Saxon scribes, by looking carefully at the texts they write. Dr Wallis uses linguistic analysis to try to access some of the thought-processes and behaviours that contribute to the finished manuscript pages that we can read today.

Dr Wallis researches textual transmission and scribal behaviour in Old English prose manuscripts.  Her PhD thesis investigated the Old English translation of Bede's Historia Ecclesiastica, focusing on the scribal contribution to variation in these manuscripts. I am interested in what the linguistic features evident in manuscripts can tell us about the way scribes approached copying texts from their exemplars.

University of Sheffield, Jessop West Exhibition Space
£2 donation (or whatever you think is appropriate)

Finding us 
The Jessop West Exhibition Space is on Upper Hanover Street. Parking is available in the nearby Brook Hill carpark. You can also park on Gell Street (right across the road) for the same price. Buses 10, 10a and 95 stop opposite the Arts Tower, or you can catch the tram to Upper Hanover Street.

Putting the History in Historical Fiction

Putting the History in Historical Fiction

Dr Catherine Hanley: IATL, University of Warwick

Thursday 5 December, 2013

Jessop West Exhibition Space, University of Sheffield

7.30 - 8.30pm
(we're starting half an hour later than usual)
£2 suggested donation

Historical fiction was once derided as a genre, but in recent years it has become both mainstream and respected, filling the shortlists of major prizes. This may be attributed in part to the greater availability of research sources and the greater willingness of authors to consult them. This talk will explore some of the sources available for the medieval period and will take a lighthearted look at the best – and worst – ways in which they can be used by authors of historical fiction.

Dr Catherine Hanley gained a PhD in Medieval Studies from the University of Sheffield in 2001. After publishing an academic book and a number of articles she turned her hand to historical crime fiction, at which point she realised that making stuff up was more fun.

SAMS NEWSFLASH! The online shop proved more complicated than expected, so from now on we'll just ask you to make a suggested donation of £2 on the night. These monies will all be used to buy our refreshments. 

Finding us 

The Jessop West Exhibition Space is on Upper Hanover Street. Parking is available in the nearby Brook Hill carpark: it costs £1.90 for 2 hours, and charges up to 2030. You can also park on Gell Street (right across the road) for the same price. Buses 10, 10a and 95 stop opposite the Arts Tower, or you can catch the tram to Upper Hanover Street. 

View Larger Map

Questions?

You can contact me (Dr Becky Fisher) on rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com. 

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hwæt! Wes hal! Come and join us for an evening’s venture into the  Anglo-Saxon and medieval world. Our varied lecture series will cover the literature,  language, history, art and material culture of the Middle Ages. Lectures will cost just £5, and are open to anyone. We’ll meet every three months on a Thursday evening.

The Sheffield Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Society was formed in February 2012 by Dr Becky Fisher (University of Sheffield) and Louise, a member of the Sheffield University of the Third Age. It is in this spirit of partnership that we hope SAMS will continue, creating opportunities for academics and members of the local community to share and explore their knowledge of the fascinating Middle Ages.

Machiavellian Sounds: Music and Politics in Renaissance Italy

Machiavellian Sounds: Music and Politics in Renaissance Italy

Dr. Tim Shephard: Department of Music, University of Sheffield

Thursday 30 May, 1900 - 2030

Jessop West Exhibition Space, University of Sheffield

Assailed by powerful neighbours, jealous nephews and rebellious subjects, the despotic rulers of Renaissance Italy struggled to establish secure and long-lived regimes. Those who succeeded did so not through military force, but through the manipulation of their public image - a point noted repeatedly by political philosophers of the period. With the help of carefully stage-managed processions, dances, festivals, banquets, religious services, building projects and many other devices, canny rulers presented themselves as virtuous enough to merit their eminent position, and powerful enough to defend it. Music contributed pervasively to such strategies of self-promotion, from the cohort of trumpeters accompanying every procession, to the cleric-singers ornamenting services in the court chapel. This presentation will describes the ways in which music could make or break a Renaissance regime.

SAMS NEWSFLASH! We have opened an online shop so that you can all pay in advance. This makes it easier for us to manage SAMS' finances, so please do pay online if you can. You can still pay on the door, though, if you prefer.

http://onlineshop.shef.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?modid=1&prodid=2823&deptid=5&catid=17&prodvarid=0

Finding us 

The Jessop West Exhibition Space is on Upper Hanover Street. Parking is available in the nearby Brook Hill carpark: it costs £1.90 for 2 hours, and charges up to 2030. You can also park on Gell Street (right across the road) for the same price. Buses 10, 10a and 95 stop opposite the Arts Tower, or you can catch the tram to Upper Hanover Street. 

View Larger Map

Questions?

You can contact me (Dr Becky Fisher) on rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com. 

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hwæt! Wes hal! Come and join us for an evening’s venture into the  Anglo-Saxon and medieval world. Our varied lecture series will cover the literature,  language, history, art and material culture of the Middle Ages. Lectures will cost just £5, and are open to anyone. We’ll meet every three months on a Thursday evening.

The Sheffield Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Society was formed in February 2012 by Dr Becky Fisher (University of Sheffield) and Louise, a member of the Sheffield University of the Third Age. It is in this spirit of partnership that we hope SAMS will continue, creating opportunities for academics and members of the local community to share and explore their knowledge of the fascinating Middle Ages.

Cat-Flaps update!

With a nod of thanks to @Sarah_Peverley and @erik_kwakkel on Twitter, here is a door just like Roger was telling us about before Christmas:



If you're in Manchester you can pop along and have a look yourself -- this fantastic door can be seen at Chetham's Library in Manchester.

See you all next week!


Questions?

You can contact me (Dr Becky Fisher) on rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com. 

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hwæt! Wes hal! Come and join us for an evening’s venture into the  Anglo-Saxon and medieval world. Our varied lecture series will cover the literature,  language, history, art and material culture of the Middle Ages. Lectures will cost just £5, and are open to anyone. We’ll meet every three months on a Thursday evening.

The Sheffield Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Society was formed in February 2012 by Dr Becky Fisher (University of Sheffield) and Louise, a member of the Sheffield University of the Third Age. It is in this spirit of partnership that we hope SAMS will continue, creating opportunities for academics and members of the local community to share and explore their knowledge of the fascinating Middle Ages.

The Architecture and Organisation of the Church in Anglo-Saxon England

'The Architecture and Organisation of the Church in Anglo-Saxon England’ 

Prof. Roy Jennings: University of Sheffield 

Thursday 28 February, 1900-2030

Location: Jessop West Exhibition Space, University of Sheffield 

Cost: £5

ALL WELCOME

Well, here we are in 2013! Our first talk of 2013 will be delivered by Professor Roy Jennings, who first worked with the University in 1972. Professor Jennings is an expert in Anglo-Saxon church architecture, and came very highly recommended from our very own Louise! Here's what we can expect from Professor Jenning's talk:

"The talk will be concerned with the major features of design, layout and architectural structure that characterised the English church during its development through the pre- and post-Scandinavian periods, spanning the 5th to the middle of the 11th century. The nature and purpose of the various spaces and major openings that constituted the early English church, the way in which these structures were built and the materials used in their construction, will be examined. In particular, the establishment and possible function(s) of the Anglo-Saxon church tower and the ‘tower-nave’, recently identified in a small number of England’s early churches will be described. The origins and nature of abbeys and monasteries, collegiate churches, estate or proprietary churches, field churches, minster churches and early cathedrals will also be discussed, while hypotheses surrounding the origins of the English parish church and the organisation of the parochial system in England, including influences from the continent of Europe, will be considered. Relevant examples illustrating the various points under discussion will be drawn from both local and more distant churches."

All Saints' Church, Brixworth
Source: <http://www.friendsofbrixworthchurch.org.uk/>

Finding us 

The Jessop West Exhibition Space is on Upper Hanover Street. Parking is available in the nearby Brook Hill carpark: it costs £1.90 for 2 hours, and charges up to 2030. You can also park on Gell Street (right across the road) for the same price. Buses 10, 10a and 95 stop opposite the Arts Tower, or you can catch the tram to Upper Hanover Street. 

View Larger Map

Questions?

You can contact me (Dr Becky Fisher) on rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com. 

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hwæt! Wes hal! Come and join us for an evening’s venture into the  Anglo-Saxon and medieval world. Our varied lecture series will cover the literature,  language, history, art and material culture of the Middle Ages. Lectures will cost just £5, and are open to anyone. We’ll meet every three months on a Thursday evening.

The Sheffield Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Society was formed in February 2012 by Dr Becky Fisher (University of Sheffield) and Louise, a member of the Sheffield University of the Third Age. It is in this spirit of partnership that we hope SAMS will continue, creating opportunities for academics and members of the local community to share and explore their knowledge of the fascinating Middle Ages.

Cat-flaps, cradles and other elements of Chaucer's fabliaux

Cat-flaps, cradles and other elements of Chaucer's fabliaux

Dr Roger Ellis

Thursday 22nd November, 1900-2030

Location: Arts Tower, Lecture Theatre 7

Cost: £5

ALL WELCOME

In our final talk before Christmas, we'll welcome Roger Ellis to talk to us about the naughty bits in Chaucer -- and some other things too, of course. Roger is retired from being a lecturer in Medieval English at the University of Cardiff, and is the first of our member to give a talk -- so hooray for Roger! I'm really looking forward to this talk, particularly in respect to the enigmatic cat-flaps...

For more pictures of the Canterbury Tales, check out bhttp://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/englit/chaucer/index.html.

Finding us 
The Arts Tower is located just off Bolsover Street. Parking is available in the Tower carpark, and costs 50p for the evening. I'll be there to direct you to the lecture theatre from 6.15pm onwards. Buses 10, 10a and 95 stop opposite the Arts Tower. 

View Larger Map

Questions?

You can contact me (Dr Becky Fisher) on rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com. 

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hwæt! Wes hal! Come and join us for an evening’s venture into the  Anglo-Saxon and medieval world. Our varied lecture series will cover the literature,  language, history, art and material culture of the Middle Ages. Lectures will cost just £5, and are open to anyone. We’ll meet every three months on a Thursday evening.

The Sheffield Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Society was formed in February 2012 by Dr Becky Fisher (University of Sheffield) and Louise, a member of the Sheffield University of the Third Age. It is in this spirit of partnership that we hope SAMS will continue, creating opportunities for academics and members of the local community to share and explore their knowledge of the fascinating Middle Ages.

Sex, lies, and pen on parchment: the divorce case of King Lothar II (c.860-5)

Sex, lies, and pen on parchment: the divorce case of King Lothar II (c.860-5)

Dr Charles West: School of History, University of Sheffield 

Thursday 20th September, 1830-1930
Location: Arts Tower, Lecture Theatre 2

Cost: £5
ALL WELCOME

Charles West is currently co-translating a medieval Latin text, 'On the Divorce of King Lothar and Queen Theutberga', into English for Manchester University Press. Written around 860 and surviving in just one manuscript, the text sheds much light on one of the most extraordinary episodes of early medieval European history, involving obsession, magic and hard politics. In this talk, Charles will talk about his research into the text, its manuscript and its author, and what its contribution to history is.

The Lothair Crystal: see <http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_mla/t/lothair_crystal.aspx>

To see an image of Charles' manuscript, check out the Codices Electronici Ecclesiae Coloniensis (CEEC) website here.


Finding us 
The Arts Tower is located just off Bolsover Street. Parking is available in the Tower carpark, and costs 50p for the evening. I'll be there to direct you to the lecture theatre from 6.15pm onwards. Buses 10, 10a and 95 stop opposite the Arts Tower. 

View Larger Map  

Questions?

You can contact me (Dr Becky Fisher) on rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com. 

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hwæt! Wes hal! Come and join us for an evening’s venture into the  Anglo-Saxon and medieval world. Our varied lecture series will cover the literature,  language, history, art and material culture of the Middle Ages. Lectures will cost just £5, and are open to anyone. We’ll meet every three months on a Thursday evening.

The Sheffield Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Society was formed in February 2012 by Dr Becky Fisher (University of Sheffield) and Louise, a member of the Sheffield University of the Third Age. It is in this spirit of partnership that we hope SAMS will continue, creating opportunities for academics and members of the local community to share and explore their knowledge of the fascinating Middle Ages.