The Diplomas of King Æthelred 'The Unready' 978-1016: A Study in their Use as Historical Evidence

Description

The reign of Æthelred 'the Unready' (978-1016) is known to us mainly from a series of annals in the Anglo-Saxon Chrolicle, written at or after its close and accordingly conveying an impression of gathering doom as Viking armies ravaged the country and eventually, under the leadership of Swein Forkbeard and Cnut, brought about its conquest. Dr Keynes is here concerned to establish what light the royal diplomas issued in King thelred's name throw on this unhappy and notorious period. He first considers the general issues that bear directly on the value of royal diplomas as historical evidence for all periods of Anglo-Saxon history, discussing the circumstances under which these documents have been preserved, the techniques available for their criticism, and the arrangements that existed for their production. He then demonstrates how a detailed analysis of thelred's diplomas can transform our understanding of this troubled reign. On a practical level they provide invaluable evidence on the operation of royal government, and on a personal level they afford a remarkable insight into the relations between the king and his councillors, suggesting a picture of political manoeuvring and court intrigue which compensates for the chronicler's emphasis on the struggle against the marauding Vikings. By placing the familiar account of incessant warfare in the context of these domestic affairs it becomes possible for the first time to see the reign in its true perspective. Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Note on system of reference 1 THE PRESERVATION AND CRITICISM OF ANGLO-SAXON ROYAL DIPLOMAS The preservation of royal diplomas The criticism of royal diplomas 2 THE PRODUCTION OF ANGLO-SAXON ROYAL DIPLOMAS BEFORE THE REIGN OF KING ÆTHELRED The case for a royal chancery The case for ecclesiastical scriptoria The nature of the Anglo-Saxon royal diploma The centralized production of diplomas, c. 925-c. 975 Conclusion 3 THE DIPLOMAS OF KING ÆTHELRED The diplomas issued between 978 and 990 The diplomas issued between 993 and 1016 Royal diplomas and the witenagemot The central writing office 4 A FRAMEWORK FOR THE REIGN OF KING ÆTHELRED The composition of the witness lists The period of tutelage, 978-984 The period of youthful indiscretions, 984-c. 993 The years of maturity, c. 993-1006 The closing decade, 1006-1016 Conclusion APPENDIX I The diplomas of King Æthelred: dating and witness lists A. The dating of King Æthelred's diplomas B. The transmission of the witness lists C. The compilation of Tables 1-8 D. Chronological list of the diplomas of King Æthelred APPENDIX 2 Meeting places of the king's councillors during the tenth and eleventh centuries Abbreviations and bibliography of works cited Index to citations of the diplomas of King Æthelred General index