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IMC 2022: Sessions

Session 905: Loyalty in the Central Middle Ages, III: The Languages of Loyalty - A Round Table Discussion

Tuesday 5 July 2022, 19.00-20.00

Sponsor:Haskins Society / Battle Conference on Anglo-Norman Studies
Organiser:Chris Lewis, Institute of Historical Research, University of London / Department of History, King's College London
Moderator/Chair:Chris Lewis, Institute of Historical Research, University of London / Department of History, King's College London
Abstract

Two sessions seek to establish the utility of taking a broad definition of loyalty in the Central Middle Ages. Loyalty covers more than the bonds of men and lords, and subjects and rulers. It can be seen as working up, down, and across social ranks and can encompass group loyalties as well as other forms of dyadic loyalty. Medieval people had loyalties to social groups and kindreds as well as to individuals, and to places and institutions as well as to people, living and dead. The round table discussion will focus on the languages of loyalty, on the words used in Latin and the vernacular to convey feelings and acts of loyalty, and on the discourses of loyalty.

Participants include William Aird (University of Edinburgh), Mark Atherton (University of Oxford), Mia Münster-Swendsen (Roskilde Universitet), and Emily A. Winkler (University of Oxford).