Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century
Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century
Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century, written by T. Kerslake in the late 19th century, provides a historical analysis of Mercia's influence over southern England during the eighth century. The book examines key historical figures, such as King Æthelbald, and explores the territorial rivalries between Mercia and Wessex. Kerslake combines historical narrative with archaeological evidence to trace the remnants of Mercian dominance, revealing its impact on local history and the broader political landscape of early England.
Editions
X-Ray
King of Mercia (716-755 AD), ambitious ruler who extended Mercian supremacy southward. Known for his military conquests and patronage of the church, particularly his dedication of churches to St. Werburgh.
King of Mercia (757-796 AD), successor to Æthelbald who continued Mercian expansion. Known for dedicating churches to St. Helen and completing the conquest of southern England.
Daughter of King Wulfhere of Mercia, died around 700 AD. Became the patron saint of Mercia and symbol of Æthelbald's territorial conquests, with church dedications marking his expansion.
King of Wessex who initially fought against Æthelbald but later became his ally. Represents the resistance and eventual accommodation of Saxon kingdoms to Mercian supremacy.
About Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction
- Kerslake establishes his thesis that St. Werburgh's church in Bristol was founded in 741 AD, making it the earliest dated structure in Bristol. He introduces the concept of using church dedications as evidence of Mercian expansion.
- 1
- Examines the territory of Wiccia (Worcestershire and Gloucestershire) and its transition from West Saxon to Mercian control. Discusses the linguistic and cultural evidence for this political change, including dialect differences that persist to the present day.
- 2
- Defends the traditional term 'Anglo-Saxon' against modern scholarly criticism. Argues that the Wiccians were literally Anglo-Saxon, being Saxons under Anglian rule, and that Shakespeare himself was an Anglo-Saxon in this technical sense.
Key Themes
- Archaeological Evidence as Historical Truth
- Kerslake argues that physical monuments like church dedications provide more reliable evidence than written chronicles. He demonstrates how toponymic and archaeological evidence can reveal historical patterns invisible in traditional sources.
- Religious Symbolism and Political Power
- The dedication of churches to particular saints served as markers of political conquest and territorial control. Æthelbald's use of St. Werburgh and Offa's use of St. Helen represent the fusion of religious devotion with imperial ambition.
- The Forgotten Supremacy of Mercia
- Kerslake seeks to restore recognition of Mercia's dominant role in 8th-century England, arguing that its influence has been overshadowed by the later Saxon triumph. The very name 'England' preserves this Anglian heritage.
Characters
- Æthelbald(major)
- King of Mercia (716-755 AD), ambitious ruler who extended Mercian supremacy southward. Known for his military conquests and patronage of the church, particularly his dedication of churches to St. Werburgh.
- Offa(major)
- King of Mercia (757-796 AD), successor to Æthelbald who continued Mercian expansion. Known for dedicating churches to St. Helen and completing the conquest of southern England.
- St. Werburgh(major)
- Daughter of King Wulfhere of Mercia, died around 700 AD. Became the patron saint of Mercia and symbol of Æthelbald's territorial conquests, with church dedications marking his expansion.
- Cuthred(major)
- King of Wessex who initially fought against Æthelbald but later became his ally. Represents the resistance and eventual accommodation of Saxon kingdoms to Mercian supremacy.
- Thomas Kerslake(protagonist)
- The author and antiquarian scholar conducting this historical investigation. Uses archaeological and toponymic evidence to trace Mercian influence in southern England.
- St. Boniface(minor)
- Archbishop of Mainz, born near Exeter, who wrote critical letters to Mercian kings. Represents the church's moral authority over secular rulers.
Link to this book
Add a free, dofollow link to Lex on your blog, forum, syllabus, or reading list.
<a href="https://lex-books.com/book/vestiges-of-the-supremacy-of-mercia-in-the-south-of-england-during-the-eighth-ce-b41ceb72-1c24-4826-bc4c-c97a7c3e601b"><img src="https://lex-books.com/badges/read-on-lex.svg" alt="Read Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century by T. Kerslake free on Lex" width="160" height="40"></a>[](https://lex-books.com/book/vestiges-of-the-supremacy-of-mercia-in-the-south-of-england-during-the-eighth-ce-b41ceb72-1c24-4826-bc4c-c97a7c3e601b)[url=https://lex-books.com/book/vestiges-of-the-supremacy-of-mercia-in-the-south-of-england-during-the-eighth-ce-b41ceb72-1c24-4826-bc4c-c97a7c3e601b][img]https://lex-books.com/badges/read-on-lex.svg[/img][/url]Read Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century by T. Kerslake free on Lex: https://lex-books.com/book/vestiges-of-the-supremacy-of-mercia-in-the-south-of-england-during-the-eighth-ce-b41ceb72-1c24-4826-bc4c-c97a7c3e601bCite this book
Reading this edition for a paper or guide? Copy a citation.
Kerslake, T.. Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century. Lex, lex-books.com/book/vestiges-of-the-supremacy-of-mercia-in-the-south-of-england-during-the-eighth-ce-b41ceb72-1c24-4826-bc4c-c97a7c3e601b.Kerslake, T. (n.d.). Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/vestiges-of-the-supremacy-of-mercia-in-the-south-of-england-during-the-eighth-ce-b41ceb72-1c24-4826-bc4c-c97a7c3e601bKerslake, T.. Vestiges of the Supremacy of Mercia in the South of England During the Eighth Century. Lex. https://lex-books.com/book/vestiges-of-the-supremacy-of-mercia-in-the-south-of-england-during-the-eighth-ce-b41ceb72-1c24-4826-bc4c-c97a7c3e601b.
