The Book of Llandaf and the Norman Church in Wales
Short description/annotation
The post-Norman ecclesiastical and political transformation of
south-east Wales, recorded in early C12 manuscript.
Main description
This book explores the ecclesiastical and political transformation
of south-east Wales in the later eleventh and early twelfth
centuries. Ecclesiastical and administrative reform was one of the
defining characteristics of the Norman regime in Britain, and the
author argues that a new generation of clergy in South Wales was at
the heart of this reforming programme. The focus of this volume is
the early twelfth-century Book of Llandaf, one of the most
perplexing but exciting historical works from post-Conquest
Britain. It has long been viewed as a primary source for the
history of early medieval Wales, but here it is presented in a
fresh light, as a monument to learning and literature in Norman
Wales, produced in the same literary milieu as Geoffrey of
Monmouth. As such, the Book of Llandaf provides us with valuable
insights into the state of the Norman Church in Wales, and allows
us to understand how it thought about its past. JOHN DAVIES is
Research Fellow in Scottish History, University of Edinburgh
This is the sort of book of which there need to be more in the study of Celtic history. (...) A valuable contribution to the study of the diocesan organisation of Wales in the later first millennium. THE MEDIEVAL REVIEWA mine of information on a very complex subject. E.H.R.Will undoubtedly provide an invaluable source companion for academics and researchers. Makes an important case for analyzing difficult sources such as Liber Landauensis within their political and social context. ALBIONThis is an important book, fluently written and essential reading for anyone with an interest in South Wales in the early Middle Ages. MONMOUTHSHIRE ANTIQUARYThis well-written and expertly produced book is an important contribution to the ongoing analysis of the formation of Welsh bishoprics. JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY(A) splendid book.(...) It is a tribute to this book and its author that a whole new epoch of debate will open up on the Book of Llandaf as a source of twelfth-century history. ARCHAEOLOGIA CAMBRENSISA valuable contribution to the study of Liber Landauensis.offers a detailed case-study in the methods used by members of the post-Norman Conquest ecclesiastical elite in their appropriation, utilization and reinvention of pre-existing local cults. WELSH HISTORY REVIEW
JOHN DAVIES gained his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge. He is currently lecturing in history at the University of Nottingham.
