Seeking ‘Norman Burials’: evidence for continuity and change in funerary practice following the Norman Conquest (original) (raw)

Abstract

In 2002 Christopher Daniell drew attention to the apparent invisibility of characteristic post-Conquest funerary rites in England, noting that documentary resources recount sweeping changes to many walks of life, but neglect to mention any significant changes to burial practices. Other authors writing extensively on the archaeology of the church during the Conquest tend to focus on church buildings, their status and roles, omitting any detailed discussion of potential changes in the form or place of burial used in post-Conquest periods. In this paper I would like to re-examine the evidence for change and development within the funerary sphere during the 11th and 12th centuries in England, with a view to highlighting the ways in which Norman influence might have impacted on burial rites. By reviewing documentary, archaeological and osteological data in concert, I hope to reveal that there were indeed some developments relating to cemetery location and funerary rites, and that these appear to have been associated with post-conquest reforms made in political, religious and economic life, and can be thus argued to be characteristic of Anglo-Norman funerary practice.

Elizabeth Craig-Atkins hasn't uploaded this talk.

Let Elizabeth know you want this talk to be uploaded.

Ask for this talk to be uploaded.