Historiography of Gildas

Research Paper # 109220

Presents a brief twentieth century historiography of Gildas.

1,276 words () | 35 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper states that Gildas is the only extant contemporary source for fifth and sixth century Britain, therefore his writings are often considered crucial to the understanding of the time period. The paper notes that each historian must make a conscious choice about the methodologies used to interpret evidence, and this choice will invariably affect the historian's conclusion. The paper discuuses that the fragmentation that is also often associated with post-modern historiographical trends continues to plague Gildas. The paper further notes that combining a close textual reading of Gildas, and all the social influences that can be derived from it, with the archaeological data of late antique Britain into a historical narrative, is what scholars are now trying to accomplish.

Outline:
Archeological Data vs. a Gildasian Narrative in Sub-Roman Britain
Gildas and an Arthurian Britain
The New Approach: De Excidio Britanniae as a Literary Work
Gildas and the "Celtic Church"
Conclusion: Gildas and the Post-Modern Age

From the Paper:

"The fact is that each historian must make a conscious choice about the methodologies used to interpret evidence, and this choice will invariably affect the historian's conclusion. This is an issue concerning the study of Gildas because there is no other surviving narrative of the same time period and place with which to compare Gildas's writings. Michael Jones states "the advantages of archeologically based investigations over studies relying significantly on texts must be balanced against different but still potentially distorting problems of conception and interpretation."

Sample of Sources Used:

Alcock, Leslie. Arthur's Britain: History and Archeology AD 367-634. (London: The Penguin Press, 1971).
Arnold, C. J. Roman Britain to Saxon England. (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1984).
Ashe, Geoffrey. The Quest for Arthur's Britain. (London: Pall Mall Press, 1968).Discovery of King Arthur. (New York: Doubleday Publishing, 1985).
Casey, P. J., ed. The End of Roman Britain. (Oxford: BAR British Series, 1979).
Chambers, E. K. Arthur of Britain. (London: Sidgwick & Jackson, LTD., 1927).