An exploration of Anglo-Saxon charters, bringing out their complexity and highlighting a range of broad implications.

"This is the first major study of the interplay between Latin and Germanic vernaculars in early medieval records. Building on previous work on the uses of the written word in the early Middle Ages, which has dispelled the myth that this was an age of 'orality', the contributions in this volume bring to the fore the crucial question of language choice in the documentary cultures of early medieval societies. Specifically, they examine the interactions between Latin and Germanic vernaculars in the Anglo-Saxon and eastern Frankish worlds and in neighbouring areas. The chapters are underpinned by an important comparative dimension on account of the two regions' shared linguistic heritage and numerous cross-Channel links."--

Barking is the only English nunnery with a history stretching from the seventh century to the time of Henry VIII. A new cache of Anglo-Saxon charters from Barking is edited here for the first time, with other early documents and a historical introduction. The volume also includes the charter of Edward the Confessor for Waltham Abbey.

Now republished with minor corrections, this volume provides the first comprehensive collection of charters, letters and other documents issued by native rulers of Wales from the early twelfth century to the Edwardian conquest of 1282 - 3 that extinguished independent rule.