Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

English foundation myths as political empowerment

Mackley, J. S. (2014) English foundation myths as political empowerment. Keynote presented to: Creating Myths as Narratives of Empowerment and Disempowerment, High Institute of Human Sciences of Jendouba, University of Jendouba, Tunisia, 10-12 March 2014. (Unpublished)

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[thumbnail of Jendouba Mackley English Foundation Myths March 2015 Final.docx]
Jendouba Mackley English Foundation Myths March 2015 Final.docx
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Abstract:
When Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote the History of the Kings of Britain in Latin around 1135-8, he claimed that he was translating an earlier source in the "British Language" and presenting a "truthful account" of British History. Geoffrey's claims around this book gave his writing more authority, and, while this particular book has never been uncovered, he was drawing on other sources, such as Gildas, Bede and Nennius. In particular, Geoffrey elaborated a legend from Nennius that described how the first settlers of Britain were descended from Aeneas and other survivors from the Trojan War. Thus, Geoffrey's purpose was to provide a plausible ancestry for the current kings of England - Norman who had invaded only seventy years before -and to establish the nation's authority on the world stage.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Geoffrey of Monmouth, Norman Invasion, Aeneid, Trojan War
Subjects:
P Language and Literature > PA Classical philology > PA8001 Medieval and modern Latin literature
P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN441 Literary history > PN661 Medieval (to 1500) > PN683 Legends
P Language and Literature > PR English literature > PR1803 Anglo-Norman period. Early English. Middle English
Creators:
Mackley, J. S.
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Faculties > Faculty of Education & Humanities > English and Creative Writing
Research Centres > Centre for Critical and Creative Writing
Date:
10 March 2014
Date Type:
Publication
Journal or Publication Title:
Creating Myths as Narratives of Empowerment and Disempowerment
Event Title:
Creating Myths as Narratives of Empowerment and Disempowerment
Event Dates:
10-12 March 2014
Event Location:
High Institute of Human Sciences of Jendouba, University of Jendouba, Tunisia
Event Type:
Conference
Language:
English
Status:
Unpublished
Refereed:
Yes
Related URLs:
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