Carol’s
Comments
(group member since Jun 05, 2013)
Carol’s
comments
from the Ask Carol McGrath group.
Showing 61-80 of 158
I have gone for the earlier date of mid 1070s . I used the Haskins Journal artical by Richard Sharpe whilst absolutely aware that there are valid arguments for both. Motivation, land rights though of course the King owned all. Still there was a quest for legitimacy re land redistribution too. That goes back to William feeling he was King Edward's rightful inheritor. Where there was rebellion that was a justifiable land grab. And of course what Odo was responsible for up north was unjustifivable land destruction. There was a lot of marrying the A.Saxon heiress. So there I find motivation. Of course the second date based on Oderic Vitalis is acceptable too. The thing there is Alan's age. Why did he not marry earlier or did he? And when I write Author's notes I shall present both arguments indeed. Still, how did he die? Zoe, do you know?
I am thrilled to read all this. There are characters I have introduced into fiction such as Enisant Musard whom I did not know was Alan's relation. Also was Alan initially buried at Bury St Edmund and then later reinterred in York? I do give him a funeral at Bury. I selected the earlier date of 1089 for this. I am I remind, writing fiction though I do try to be faithful where possible. Did he die of wounds? Did he die a natural death? Do we know? Your family stories Kathleen and Zoe are fascinating. My own is more recent. I was born in Northern Ireland. My family on both sides are planters. My mother's is of German origin, Henning and my father's ancestor was a captain in the Scott's Greys during the Marlborough wars and was rewarded with land in Ireland and a family crest in the eighteenth century. The crest says spes in dei. My brother has the dyes for it. This is all I know. My husbands family are McGuires of Fermanagh, royal McGuires evidently! Well, that was his Mother's claim. So my children are a mix of Irish and Planter. As for Gunnhild and Alan. I am still intrigued by them. I wonder can we really know what happened. I agree about memory. Since Poitiers provenience is as William's biographer of course he is biased. The Carmen beautifully written has much Carolingian influence and is a poem, a praise song. The Tapestry is absolutely intriguing and may have an Amorican influence although I believe it was probably designed in Canterbury and made in both Canterbury and Wilton. There is a British Museum book as a result of a conference there five years ago . It is a compilation of lectures given at the conference with various academics contributing. I find it invaluable and attended that conference. Memory is interesting in that we think whose memory, why, and how. What can we pin down after all.
I absolutely agree and I think we must remember the Godwinson boys and their contemporaries were war lords also. These people all had something in common. They were aristocrats and all of them knew how to oppress whether they were English or Norman. The Victorians looking for an older English identity idealised the Saxon world. It was in reality tough. However one refinement that is important to acknowledge was inherited by the Norman world, the legal system. Also it is important to acknowledge English written language and poetry. English embroidery was famous. England had beautiful objects and huge wealth. The Normans lacked a secular literature until we come to Anglo-Norman poetry, the beginning of English romance writing by the end of the eleventh century. But the change did bring Romanesque architecture which I personally admire. The castles became marvellous in time but at first they must have caused huge disruption in towns. Poor people always suffered!
For Zoe, do you know what banners Alan of Richmond had?
I noticed that too re Domesday. I think it isn't so much an issue of destructive rule as an issue of change and there is good and bad in both eras. It is easy to be romantic but honestly those times were tough no matter who was in control. They were war lords all of them. Eras pass, change is the only certainty in life. The earlier Viking raids were destructive too in a different way. The whole 11 thC church control is interesting if we get on to 'freedom' but then there is the slavery too in AS England. There were famines then too and disease. But yes as regards land. That certainly changes with the Normans. Forests became restricted . And so on....
To start a new line off I wonder what thoughts you might have on the validity of memory and even in primary source material. I have been reading Marc Morris on The Norman Conquest. He does even query some of what Oderic Vitalis says in his analysis of the years following the Conquest. It got me thinking again. Will add to the bookshelf here.
I have been quiet because I have had a very busy two weeks in England but returning to Greece for a month and welcome more questions from 30th July onwards.
Yes the family comes into the sequel to The Handfasted Wife. This will all be great for my non fiction book. It is amazing all the things that happened that we don't know a lot about, Zoe. I am now in England again and until Tuesday frantically busy but I do love reading your posts. Thank you for sharing your amazing knowledge here.
Dol is there and I know Brittany well. I use Dol in my new novel. it is on the Bayeux Tapestry also. Henrietta Leyser came to my launch last night. She knows lots about Gunnhild. Very interesting too. You should see if you can get her book there. It is on our list.
You need to write a book on these Alans , interesting indeed.
If you ever come again let me know.c
Oh yes Launcelot with black hair and Alan Niger. Fabulous.
This is not the story I wrote but actually I would never dispute it. It is intriguing. I just do not know enough. If only I could be a fly on the wall or time travel!
I love that. If only I had known you before. Henrietta Leyser and google her is coming to my book launch tonight. Are you living in Brittany or England?
Zoe, what fabulous material. I can incorporate some in my second draft of Countess of the North. Remember I am writing fiction but I do want to incorporate good theories of course. What you say makes such sense too.
I have added an interesting book for those interested in medieval women and the significance of food in the middle ages. Do take a look at it if you are writing in this era especially 13 th and 14th centuries.
It is now my next to read. Looking forward to it as I am in that reign and Count Alan supported Rufus V the Barons.
Thanks Paula and Kathleen, I have now put the Maureen Ash on my kindle. It looks fun. I am finishing Peaceweaver and shall read it next. Thank you for the tip.
Would love to read it, Kathleen but might be easier just to put it onto my kindle as not sure when I shall read it. Interestingly that is where I have got go in my book.
