Catherine Clarke
Debates around the future of our field – and the language we use within it – have been particularly relevant to me, not only as a medievalist, but also as convenor of the strand known as “Anglo-Saxon Studies” at the annual Leeds International Medieval Congress ( imc). In 2018, we convened a roundtable at the imc to reflect on the past 25 years – and future – of our field. Questions of inclusivity and diversity emerged very prominently in the discussion, as did concerns around the terminology “AngloSaxon”. The strand name at the imc has now been changed, provisionally, to “Early Medieval England”, sitting alongside existing strands including “Celtic Studies”, “Scandinavian Studies” and “Late Antique & Early
Medieval Studies” – though the imc plans a broader review of all its programming strands in early 2020.
In the 2019 imc programme, it was noticeable that many scholars were already choosing to identify their work as “early medieval English” – so the formal name change is in many ways following shifts already visible in scholarly practice. But it’s important to recognise that the current conversation isn’t just about names and vocabulary. Changing a name is meaningless without an intellectual rationale, and also without wider moves towards transformation and inclusivity in our field. The work of scholars such as Susan Oosthuizen has reminded us how “beset with difficulties” the phrase “Anglo-Saxon” really is, based on the complex, messy evidence of early medieval ethnicities and cultures. Others point, quite rightly, to the dangerous ways in which this terminology is misrepresented, appropriated and mobilised by rightwing and racist groups today. We may not have a perfectly satisfactory alternative name, but if colleagues are telling us that current language is hurtful and toxic, we can do better. Most importantly, we have a duty, all of us, to be attentive to diverse viewpoints, be mutually respectful, and work towards building a supportive, welcoming and inclusive field together.
Catherine Clarke is chair in the history of people, place & community at the Institute of Historical Research