Rebel Angels
Space and Sovereignty in Anglo-Saxon England
Author: Jill Fitzgerald Series: Manchester Medieval Literature and Culture
This book examines the 'fall of the angels' tradition in early medieval sermons, saints' lives, legal documents and Old English biblical poetry. It argues that Anglo-Saxon authors adapted apocryphal and patristic accounts in ways that allowed them to express their ideas concerning ecclesiastical and secular power.
Hardcover
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Summary
This book examines the 'fall of the angels' tradition in early medieval sermons, saints' lives, legal documents and Old English biblical poetry. It argues that Anglo-Saxon authors adapted apocryphal and patristic accounts in ways that allowed them to express their ideas concerning ecclesiastical and secular power.
Description
Over six hundred years before John Milton's Paradise Lost, Anglo-Saxon authors told their own version of the fall of the angels. This book brings together various cultural moments, literary genres and relevant comparanda to recover that version, from the legal and social world to the world of popular spiritual ritual and belief. The story of the fall of the angels in Anglo-Saxon England is the story of a successfully transmitted exegetical teaching turned rich literary tradition. It can be traced through a range of genres - sermons, saints' lives, royal charters, riddles, devotional and biblical poetry - each one offering a distinct window into the ancient myth's place within the Anglo-Saxon literary and cultural imagination. -- .
Critic Reviews
“'Rebel Angels is an ambitious book that traces the many dynamic reinterpretations of theangelic rebellion story. Fitzgerald's nuanced approach to her subject's many complexities, together with the attention given to the texts' historical circumstances, makes a persuasive argument for the influence of the fall of the angels narrative in the literary imagination of early English authors. This is a thought-provoking book that will prove an inspiration to its careful reader.' Speculum 'Rebel Angels is a fantastic resource collating stories of angelic rebellion in early medieval England... Fitzgerald's work opens the door for future studies that more fully explore the interaction of sovereignty and space in early England.' Journal of Medieval Religious Cultures”
'Rebel Angels is an ambitious book that traces the many dynamic reinterpretations of theangelic rebellion story. Fitzgerald’s nuanced approach to her subject’s many complexities, together with the attention given to the texts’ historical circumstances, makes a persuasive argument for the influence of the fall of the angels narrative in the literary imagination of early English authors. This is a thought-provoking book that will prove an inspiration to its careful reader.’
Speculum
'Rebel Angels is a fantastic resource collating stories of angelic rebellion in early medieval England... Fitzgerald’s work opens the door for future studies that more fully explore the interaction of sovereignty and space in early England.'
Journal of Medieval Religious Cultures
About the Author
Jill Fitzgerald is Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the United States Naval Academy
Over six hundred years before John Milton's Paradise Lost, Anglo-Saxon authors told their own version of the fall of the angels. This book brings together various cultural moments, literary genres and relevant comparanda to recover that version, from the legal and social world to the world of popular spiritual ritual and belief. The story of the fall of the angels in Anglo-Saxon England is the story of a successfully transmitted exegetical teaching turned rich literary tradition. It can be traced through a range of genres - sermons, saints' lives, royal charters, riddles, devotional and biblical poetry - each one offering a distinct window into the ancient myth's place within the Anglo-Saxon literary and cultural imagination. -- .
Product Details
Returns
This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.
Browse by category
- Books » Non-Fiction » History » Medieval
- Books
- Books » Non-Fiction
- Books » Non-Fiction » History
- Books » Non-Fiction » History » Europe
- Books » Fiction & Literature » Literature » Literary Criticism
- Books » Fiction & Literature
- Books » Fiction & Literature » Literature
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Christianity » Theology
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality
- Books » Non-Fiction » Religion & Spirituality » Christianity
