The Idea of Anglo Saxon England, 1066-1901 presents the first systematic review of the ways in which Anglo-Saxon studies have evolved from their beginnings to the twentieth century Tells the story of how the idea of Anglo-Saxon England evolved from the Anglo-Saxons themselves to the Victorians, serving as a myth of origins for the English people, their language, and some of their most cherished institutions Combines original research with established scholarship to reveal how current conceptions of English identity might be very different if it were not for the discovery and invention of the Anglo-Saxon past Reveals how documents dating from the Anglo-Saxon era have greatly influenced modern attitudes toward nationhood, race, religious practice, and constitutional liberties Includes more than fifty images of manuscripts, early printed books, paintings, sculptures, and major historians of the era

* The Idea of Anglo Saxon England, 1066-1901 presents thefirst systematic review of the ways in which Anglo-Saxon studieshave evolved from their beginnings to the twentieth century* Tells the story of how the idea of Anglo-Saxon Englandevolved from the Anglo-Saxons themselves to the Victorians, servingas a myth of origins for the English people, their language, andsome of their most cherished institutions* Combines original research with established scholarship toreveal how current conceptions of English identity might be verydifferent if it were not for the discovery - and invention of the Anglo-Saxon past* Reveals how documents dating from the Anglo-Saxon era havegreatly influenced modern attitudes toward nationhood, racereligious practice, and constitutional liberties* Includes more than fifty images of manuscripts, early printedbooks, paintings, sculptures, and major historians of the era

List of Vignettes viPreface and Acknowledgements viiAbbreviations xiiiList of Figures xv1 The Impact of the Norman Conquest 12 The Discovery of Anglo ]Saxon England in Tudor Times 493 British Antiquaries and the Anglo ]Saxon Past 774 The Founding of a Discipline 1600-1700 1095 A Period of Consolidation 1700-1800 1476 The Romantics and the Discovery of Old English Verse 1867 The Triumph of Philology 2208 Old English Studies in North America 2659 Anglo ]Saxon England and the Empire 302Afterword 378Some Landmark Publications 381Works Cited 395Index 415