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IMC 2013: Sessions

Session 1221: Rewriting History in the Central Middle Ages, III: Redefining Rulership

Wednesday 3 July 2013, 14.15-15.45

Sponsor:Battle Conference on Anglo-Norman Studies / Haskins Society for Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-Norman, Angevin & Viking History
Organisers:Chris Lewis, Institute of Historical Research, University of London / Department of History, King's College London
Emily A. Winkler, Jesus College, University of Oxford
Moderator/Chair:Chris Lewis, Institute of Historical Research, University of London / Department of History, King's College London
Paper 1221-aAnglo-Norman Kings and Conquerors: Do the Winners Write the Histories?
(Language: English)
Emily A. Winkler, Jesus College, University of Oxford
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Language and Literature - Latin, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1221-bHeroic History: Interpreting the Portrayal of Emperor John II Komnenos
(Language: English)
Maximilian Lau, Oriel College, University of Oxford
Index terms: Byzantine Studies, Historiography - Medieval, Language and Literature - Greek, Politics and Diplomacy
Paper 1221-cGerman Emperors in the Works of Otto of Freising and William of Malmesbury
(Language: English)
Alheydis Plassmann, Institut für Geschichtswissenschaft, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Political Thought, Politics and Diplomacy
Abstract

Four sessions seek to elicit patterns both in current scholarship and in the writing of history in medieval Europe. Papers explore how medieval writers of history across a range of genres shaped their understanding of the past, including recent events, and the history of more distant times. The sessions are especially concerned with how existing historical writings were refashioned to suit current purposes. Last year's sessions focused on England and Normandy; this year we widen the geographical scope to include historical writing in multiple languages across the expanse of Europe. The sessions are explicitly comparative: a supplementary goal is to examine differences in modern historiographical approaches. The final session ends with a response to all papers and discussions in the earlier sessions.