New year, new project

Christmas survived, New Year begun. So tradition dictates that now I decide on a new project.

Recently I have started a course in Old English, which is proving really interesting and I am enjoying immensely. But what to do with it after I have finished? Much as I would probably enjoy getting together with people of similar interests, most of the meetings of which I am aware are held in the south or midlands (unsurprisingly). This part of the world was known in the period as Northanhymbre ("North of the Humber") and had a fairly separate development path to the southern half of the country following the migration of various Germanic people to this island. The geography of the country also made it difficult to unify it in the way that was achieved by various kings of Wessex or Mercia or Kent, although there were times when Northern kings played their part on a larger stage.

The spread of Christianity in the region also was at odds with the southern part of the country. Augustine arrived in Canterbury from Pope Gregory to convert the heathens; meanwhile Irish monks were working in the north, with St Aidan leading much of the missionary effort. This resulted in the disputes about the calculation of Easter, which provided a useful metaphor of the differences between the two traditions, and was only resolved in a synod at Whitby in 663, where Hilda was abbess.

However, it is important to put the period into context. The Roman occupation ended in the 5th century and the Old English period ended in 1066 after a period of about 600 years. In the north, the Vikings had a greater influence than in the south and many Old English references have been lost (although those that have survived have been incredibly important eg Bede's writings).

So Old English churches are rare, and those with stone foundations rarer, and those in the north rarer still(I believe). So it is with great interest that I look at our very own St Lawrence's church with Saxon stone foundations. And it occurs to me I want to know more about the life of people around this village in the period pre-dating the Domesday Book.

So that is what I shall try to find out more about.