'Tributarius' and terminological variation in the Anglo-Saxon diplomas of Worcester and Selsey

Thesis

This thesis considers variations in the choice of terminology used to describe and quantify the landscape in Anglo-Saxon diplomas, with the aim of addressing whether these variations are due to temporal or geographic factors, and to what extent such factors are co-dependent. The twenty-three terms used for numerical land assessment form the basis of this investigation: their etymology is explored, together with analysis of concordance data from the 1,932 known diplomas, to assess the geographic and temporal range and relative frequency of their use alongside other words and phrases from the charters in which they occur, in order to discern textual parallels and diplomatic links between documents from different periods and scriptoria. From this, it is possible to observe trends in usage, which can then be considered against the social and political context of the production of the charters in question.

Following this overview of textual and linguistic development, the main focus of this investigation is the uncommon Latin term tributarius, chosen due to its compact sample size (twenty-three extant examples) and number of analogous terms (mansus and cassatus being the most prevalent). The diplomas are discussed in detail, with close reading and comparison of their style and content. To aid this textual analysis, transcriptions, translations and critical commentary of the texts are provided. The overarching theme of the tributarius corpus is that of archival reuse and ‘improvement’ to suit the needs of later generations, particularly in cases of disputed ownership and alienation of ecclesiastical land.

From this examination of the tributarius diplomas, it has become apparent that there are diplomatic links between the houses of Worcester and Selsey, from whose archives a significant proportion of the diplomas originate. As these houses were situated at such a geographic remove (in central Mercia and southern Sussex respectively), their diplomatic connection must involve factors other than proximity: ecclesiastical links, namely the involvement of St Wilfrid in the foundation of both houses; the ‘Mercian Supremacy’ of the long eighth century, which saw socio-political influence extend from the Midlands to the south coast; and the reuse of archival material, reviving a term which had fallen from prominence due to the increased centralisation of diploma production, but had been preserved in the archives of various ecclesiastical houses.

Authors: Perks, J

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-nodg40x0z
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English, Latin, English, Old (ca. 450-1100)
• Keywords: Palaeography; church history; Mercia; land assessment; Hwicce; Anglo-Saxon; boundary clauses; Anglo-Latin; charters
• Subjects: Charters, grants, privileges; Latin language--Terms and phrases; Manuscripts, English (Old); Civilization, Anglo-Saxon