Hello! Welcome to the Sheffield Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Blog.
In February last year, I gave a lecture to the
University of the Third Age about Anglo-Saxon lives and language. There were
almost 200 people in attendance, many of whom asked really interesting (and
challenging!) questions. As a result of this event, I co-founded the Sheffield
Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Society (fondly known as SAMS) with Louise, a member
of the University of the Third Age.
Louise and I would like to invite you to join us
once every three months to hear talks from leading experts in all aspects
of the Middle Ages stretching from the Anglo-Saxons right up to the Tudor
period. The series of lectures, discussions and workshops will cover everything
from literature, language and linguistics, history, religion and politics, to
music, art and culture.
SAMS is happy to announce that the first lecture
will take place at the University of Sheffield next week:
Tuesday
29th May, 5.30-7.30pm, Arts Tower Lecture Theatre 8. The lecture will cost £5.
If you'd
like to attend, please email me on rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com
Dr Philip Shaw from the University
of Leicester will be speaking to us about Old English ornithological terms, in
a lecture entitled ‘A Hawk from an Herodius: The Origins
and Fortunes of Old English Wealhhafoc’. Philip tells us that he Old
English word wealhhafoc is, according to the dictionaries, a term
meaning ‘falcon’. The origins of this word, however, suggest that it was first
applied to a water-bird, before being transferred to the falcon. These origins
have far-reaching implications, affecting our understanding of the related Old
Norse word valr and our interpretation of the flying apparatus employed
by goddesses in Scandinavian mythology. An expert in Old English other early
Germanic languages, Philip has published articles and books on the linguistic
evidence for pagan religious life and conversion to Christianity.
In September, we'll hear from Dr Charles West, a
historian from our very own University of Sheffield, lined up to speak on a ninth-century treatise on marriage, divorce
and religious practices in Frankia. in December, Dr West will be followed by Dr
Roger Ellis, who worked at the University of Cardiff before retiring. He'll be
speaking to us about early Tudor literature. In the new year, we hope to get an
archaeologist on board, as well as an expert on medieval music.
SAMS hopes to build on the enormous success of the
recent Engage with Old English project, led by me and students in the
School of English (see www.engagewitholdenglish.co.uk). The project culminated
in a public workshop all about Old English and the Anglo Saxons designed to get
people involved in learning new things about the fascinating subject. The
workshop was very well attended by the public and the project video, Twentieth-century blockbusters with tenth century scripts, has been viewed by over
1000 Youtube users.
We hope to see you there!
Before you go, here are my contact details:
Dr Rebecca Fisher
I'm currently an Associate University Teacher in Historical
Linguistics, though in July I'll be moving to the University of Warwick to manage their postgraduate recruitment.
Email: rebecca.m.c.fisher@gmail.com
Telephone: 01142 220217
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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.
