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IMC 2007: Sessions

Session 801: Interpreting Birds in Anglo-Saxon England

Tuesday 10 July 2007, 16.30-18.00

Organiser:Jennifer Neville, Department of English, Royal Holloway, University of London
Moderator/Chair:Pirkko Koppinen, Department of English, Royal Holloway, University of London
Paper 801-aDivine Inspiration: Gregory, Angels, and the Dove of the Holy Spirit in 9th-Century Anglo-Saxon Sculpture
(Language: English)
Jane Hawkes, Department of History of Art, University of York
Index terms: Art History - Sculpture
Paper 801-bBirds of the Soul: From Bede's Sparrow to the Franks Casket
(Language: English)
Janina Ramirez, Centre for Medieval Studies / Department of the History of Art, University of York
Index terms: Art History - General, Art History - Decorative Arts, Biblical Studies, Language and Literature - Old English, Language and Literature - Latin
Paper 801-cBirds in the Exeter Book Riddles
(Language: English)
Jennifer Neville, Department of English, Royal Holloway, University of London
Index terms: Language and Literature - Old English, Language and Literature - Latin, Mentalities
Abstract

Although animals of all kinds have served as signs in a wide range of contexts, birds often convey a special significance. This interdisciplinary session thus draws together scholars from the fields of history, art history, and literature to examine the interpretation of birds in Anglo-Saxon England. The papers are designed to given an indication of the range of approaches to birds during the period, across different genres and media, including patristic exegesis, historical narrative, material culture, and riddles.