Visions of Hierarchy and Inequality in Early Medieval England

This Element examines the socio-political hierarchy of England in the tenth and eleventh centuries, focusing upon the plasticity of the boundary between the ranks of ceorl and thegn. Offering a nuanced analysis of terms such as thegn and ceorl in both early medieval texts and modern scholarship, the Element highlights the mechanisms that allowed these non-institutional signifiers to hold such social weight while conferring few tangible benefits. To better describe the relative social positions, the author argues that a compound method is preferable, supporting this proposal via a thorough deconstruction of writings by Archbishop Wulfstan II of York ¿ responsible for many of scholars' ideas about rank in the period ¿ and the examination of sources that evidence a blurring of 'middling' social boundaries across the two centuries under discussion. Together, these strands of interrogation allow for a fuller understanding of how status was constructed in early medieval England.

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. The challenges of describing hierarchy; 3. Early medieval visions of social hierarchy; 4. The view from the 'local'; 5. Conclusion; Bibliography.

Product details

• Authors: Stuart Pracy, Stuart (University of Exeter) Pracy
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.01.2025
• EAN: 9781009308366
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0930836-6
• No. of pages: 82
• Series: Elements in England in the Early Medieval World
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; England, Medieval History, British & Irish history, Social discrimination & inequality, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, Social classes, European history: medieval period, middle ages, Social discrimination and social justice, Relating to specific socioeconomic groups / status