Welcome!

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.