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Creating the People: History and Myth in the National Literatures of Medieval Britain and Ireland

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter in a book

Abstract

Surveying a range of literary texts written in the vernacular languages of medieval Britain, this chapter is concerned with the ways in which the peoples of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales defined themselves in opposition to the dominant state power of England. Countering the Latin historical tradition which positioned British history as English history, writers working in Irish, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, and Welsh constructed origin myths and literary traditions that worked to build local communities and regional identities. Though the territories clustered around England were far from united in their political structures, they came together as peoples to resist the imperial ambitions of the English state.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe People and British Literature
Subtitle of host publicationBelonging, Exclusion, and Democracy
EditorsBenjamin Kohlmann, Matthew Taunton
Place of PublicationCambridge
PublisherCambridge University Press
Pages159-174
Number of pages16
ISBN (Electronic)9781009299671
ISBN (Print)9781009299688
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Dec 2025

Publication series

NameThemes in British Literature and Culture
PublisherCambridge University Press

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