DOCSLIB.ORG

The Contribution of Qur'an and Hadit Early Islamic Chronology

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Contribution of Qur'an and Hadit Early Islamic Chronology Durham E-Theses The contribution of Qur'an and Hadit early Islamic chronology. McPartlan, Maurice A. How to cite: McPartlan, Maurice A. (1997) The contribution of Qur'an and Hadit early Islamic chronology., Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/978/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk The Contribution of Qur'an and Hadit to Early Islamic Chronology by Maurice A. McPARTLAN The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without the written consent of the author and information derived from it should be acknowledged. Doctoral Thesis Presented at the University of Durham, Department of Philosophy, 1997 0 2iij ý'] ý, M. A. McPARTLAN, The Contribution of Qur'än and Hadit to Early Islamic Chronology. PhD. 1997 The researcher in the field of early Islamic chronology has a plethora of sources to work with many of which contain numerous variants, some of which contradict each other. Many serious attempts have been made to unravel the chronology of Muhammad's life and the beginnings of Islam without success because, in the view of the present work, they lack a certain critical approach. One important factor to have been ignored is "hindsight chronology". This concept stems from the fundamental problem of distinguishing whether sources being studied can be traced back to the earliest years of the Islamic community without any significant alteration, or if they have been edited. The most obvious example is that of a source which describes an event as happening a number of months after the Higra. If, in the process of collecting and transmitting this tradition, an author works out the month name from the number of months, s/he has already altered the source and imposed his or her interpretation of the prevalent calendar on it. The sources available are too numerous and rich for any one piece of research, which is why the present work concentrates on events described in the Qur'än and Hadil which could yield a chronological fix. This initial exploration of the above mentioned sources has made use of material from many different disciplines, all of which deserve systematic and detailed exploration in order to discover whether they could yield chronological data. The conclusions of this present work can in no way be considered definitive, but rather as a first and small contribution to a much larger undertaking. Nevertheless, it has demonstrated that there is valuable information to be gleaned from careful and systematic study of seemingly insignificant details contained in widely differing sources. Many thanks to all those who have lived with this work for the past six years and contributed to it in various ways. Special thanks to Professor F. Richard Stephenson for his guidance and encouragement. © The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without their prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS iv ............................................................................................................................. TABLES ................................................................................................................................................... viii TRANSLITERATION .................................................................................................................................. x MUHAMMAD Traditional Chronology :A .............................................................................................. xiv GLOSSARY ...............................................................................................................................................xx INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................1 Contemporary history 3 ............................................................................................................................... Astrology 4 .................................................................................................................................................. Sunni and ýi'........................................................................................................................................... 4 Conclusion 4 ................................................................................................................................................ CHAPTER ONE Calendars 6 : ........................................................................................................................ The South Arabian Calendar ..................................................................................................................... 7 The Jewish Calendar .................................................................................................................................8 The Julian Calendar ................................................................................................................................10 The Pre-Higra Calendar .......................................................................................................................... 10 The Higra Calendar ................................................................................................................................. 20 The Muhammad! Calendar ..................................................................................................................... 25 Calendar Calculation/Prediction ............................................................................................................. 26 Conclusion 30 .............................................................................................................................................. CHAPTER TWO Astronomical Natural Phenomena 34 : and ........................................................................ Eclipses 35 ................................................................................................................................................... Meteor Showers 38 ...................................................................................................................................... Comets 39 .................................................................................................................................................... Volcanic Eruption? 40 ................................................................................................................................. Earthquakes 41 ............................................................................................................................................ Plagues 41 .................................................................................................................................................... CHAPTER THREE The Qur'än 43 : ............................................................................................................... Abraha 46 .................................................................................................................................................... Ma'rib Dam 47 ............................................................................................................................................. Al Nasi' 48 ................................................................................................................................................... Conclusion 49 .............................................................................................................................................. CHAPTER FOUR Hadit 50 : .......................................................................................................................... Eclipses 51 ................................................................................................................................................... Astronomical Eclipses 53 ............................................................................................................................ Geographical 54 considerations ................................................................................................................... Ibrähim's death 56 ....................................................................................................................................... Muhammad drags his 57 cloak .................................................................................................................... The 58 use of water...................................................................................................................................... The Last Day 59 ..........................................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Abrahadabra Encampment of O.T.O
    418 the quarterly newsletter of Abrahadabra Encampment of O.T.O. Anno IV:xiv Sol 0° Aries, Luna What’s In a Name? 5° Sagittarius Dies Lunæ Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. March 20, 2006 e.v. “Abrahadabra; the reward of Ra-Hoor-Khut.” Volume 1, Number 1 – Liber AL, III:1 IN THIS ISSUE In founding the first body of the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) in the state of Maine, What’s In a Name? 1 we had the privilege and opportunity to name the body, and we discussed a number of Fr. Eparisteros, Master potential alternatives. We finally settled on Source of Light 2 Abrahadabra, so I thought it worth noting the by Fr. Azazel Alephomen meanings and connections associated with this Thelemic Texts 4 word and how they may relate to our work. by Fr. L.N.N. Abrahadabra is derivative of the word Stewardship 5 “abracadabra,” whose most commonly cited by Fr. Ash root is from the Aramaic avra kehdabra History of the Tarot 6 meaning, “I create as I speak.” The change in spelling is in recognition of the tenets of by Fr. Eparisteros Thelema by investing the name of the Egyptian Events Calendar 10 god Hadit/Had in the central position. This word is referenced three times in the third chapter of the Book of the Law, the chapter attributed unto the god of force and fire, Ra-Hoor-Khuit. Interestingly enough, it appears in both the Copyright © 2006 opening and the closing lines of that chapter, a significant position for such a magickal word of Abrahadabra Encampment, O.T.O., power.
    [Show full text]
  • A Thousand and One Wives: Investigating the Intellectual History of the Exegesis of Verse Q 4:24
    A THOUSAND AND ONE WIVES: INVESTIGATING THE INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF THE EXEGESIS OF VERSE Q 4:24 A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Georgetown University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Arabic and Islamic Studies By Roshan Iqbal, M.Phil. Washington, DC July 15, 2015 Copyright 2015 by Roshan Iqbal All Rights Reserved ii A THOUSAND AND ONE WIVES: INVESTIGATING THE INTELLECTUAL HISTORY OF THE EXEGESIS OF VERSE Q 4:24 Roshan Iqbal, M.Phil. Thesis Adviser: Felicitas Opwis, Ph.D. ABSTRACT A Thousand and One Wives: Investigating the Intellectual History of the Exegesis of Verse 4:24 traces the intellectual legacy of the exegesis of Qur’an 4:24, which is used as the proof text for the permissibility of mut’a (temporary marriage). I ask if the use of verse 4.24 for the permissibility of mut’a marriage is justified within the rules and regulations of Qur’anic hermeneutics. I examine twenty Qur’an commentaries, the chronological span of which extends from the first extant commentary to the present day in three major Islamicate languages. I conclude that doctrinal self-identity, rather than strictly philological analyses, shaped the interpretation of this verse. As Western academia’s first comprehensive work concerning the intellectual history of mut’a marriage and sexual ethics, my work illustrates the power of sectarian influences in how scholars have interpreted verse 4:24. My dissertation is the only work in English that includes a plurality of voices from minor schools (Ibadi, Ashari, Zaidi, and Ismaili) largely neglected by Western scholars, alongside major schools, and draws from all available sub-genres of exegesis.
    [Show full text]
  • THE Holy QURAN and the ORIENTALISTS: Literary PERSPECTIVE
    THE HOLy QUPAN AND THE ORIENTALISTS: LITERARY PERSPECTIVE ABSTRACT ^nhmitM jTor tf}e fiegtee of Sottor of $l)iIos(opti? IN Arabic Literature BY TOWQUEER ALAM llnd»r th« Supervision of Dr. ABDUL BARI Professor and Chairman DEPARTMENT OF ARABIC ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (INDIA) 1991-92 The holy Quran beinq a Book of guidance to the human so^ ' ^ty as a whole, has been a subject of discussion since its revelation period. Enormous contribution in the form of leading articles, research papers of high standard and com­ prehensive books regarding its majestic teachings, whether pro and against^ from the side of the Muslims or non-Muslims, provide an overt proof for its extra ordinary importance, un- comparable to any manifestation of human science and intellect. The teachings of the holy Book being revolutionary in its character, provide a complete guidance to the human being for adopting 'the right path as proposed by the Omnipotent God for a Successful life in this world and the world Hereafter. This aspect of study of the holy Quran is purely religious. The preservance oE the Revelation, its specific arrangement, majestic presentation, omission and addition, rhyme and rhythm andjabove all, its miraculous character, both from the point of view of ideology and literature, testify for its being a marvellous literary monument, :fer above in excellence» in com- prision to any human endeavour , irrespective of age and place. I am not hesitant,at all, to concede that the Occidental scholars, although not altogether free from biased thinking, have contributed a lot, so far as their intellectual endeavours are concerned.
    [Show full text]
  • Chertsey Abbey : an Existence of the Past
    iii^li.iin H.xik i ... l.t.l loolcsdlen and K.M kliin.l : .. Vil-rTii Str.-t. NOTTINGHAM. |. t . tft <6;ri0fence of Photo, by F. A. Monk. [Frontispiece. TRIPTYCH OF TILES FROM CHERTSEY ABBEY, THIRTEENTH CENTURY. of BY LUCY WHEELER. With. Preface by SIR SWINFEN EADY. ARMS OF THE MONASTERY OF S. PETER, ABBEY CHURCH, CHERTSEY. Bonbon : WELLS GARDNER, DARTON & CO., LTD., 3, Paternoster Buildings, E.C., and 44, Victoria Street, S. W. PREFACE THE History of Chertsey Abbey is of more than local interest. Its foundation carries us back to so remote a period that the date is uncertain. The exact date fixed in the is A.D. but Chertsey register 666 ; Reyner, from Capgrave's Life of S. Erkenwald, will have this Abbey to have been founded as early as A.D. 630. That Erken- wald, however, was the real founder, and before he became Bishop of London, admits of no doubt. Even the time of Erkenwald's death is not certain, some placing it in 685, while Stow says he died in 697. His splendid foundation lasted for some nine centuries, and in the following pages will be found a full history of the Abbey and its rulers and possessions until its dissolution by Henry VIII. is incessant is con- Change everywhere, and ; nothing stant or in a or less stable, except greater degree ; the Abbeys which in their time played so important a part in the history and development of the country, and as v houses of learning, have all passed away, but a study of the history of an important Abbey enables us to appre- ciate the part which these institutions played in the past, and some of the good they achieved, although they were not wholly free from abuses.
    [Show full text]
  • Christian Apologetics and the Gradual Restriction of Dhimmi Social Religious Liberties from the Arab-Muslim Conquests to the Abbasid Era Michael J
    Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Graduate Capstone Projects 2017 Shifting landscapes: Christian apologetics and the gradual restriction of dhimmi social religious liberties from the Arab-Muslim conquests to the Abbasid era Michael J. Rozek Follow this and additional works at: http://commons.emich.edu/theses Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Rozek, Michael J., "Shifting landscapes: Christian apologetics and the gradual restriction of dhimmi social religious liberties from the Arab-Muslim conquests to the Abbasid era" (2017). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 863. http://commons.emich.edu/theses/863 This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Graduate Capstone Projects at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Shifting Landscapes: Christian Apologetics and the Gradual Restriction of Dhimmī Social-Religious Liberties from the Arab-Muslim Conquests to the Abbasid Era by Michael J. Rozek Thesis Submitted to the Department of History Eastern Michigan University in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER of History in History Thesis Committee: Philip C. Schmitz, Ph.D, Chair John L. Knight, Ph.D April 21, 2017 Ypsilanti, Michigan Abstract This historical research study explores the changes of conquered Christians’ social-religious liberties from the first interactions between Christians and Arab-Muslims during the conquests c. A.D. 630 through the the ‘Abbasid era c.
    [Show full text]
  • Gnosticism, Transformation, and the Role of the Feminine in the Gnostic Mass of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.) Ellen P
    Florida International University FIU Digital Commons FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations University Graduate School 11-13-2014 Gnosticism, Transformation, and the Role of the Feminine in the Gnostic Mass of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.) Ellen P. Randolph Florida International University, [email protected] DOI: 10.25148/etd.FI14110766 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd Part of the Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, History of Religions of Western Origin Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, New Religious Movements Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Randolph, Ellen P., "Gnosticism, Transformation, and the Role of the Feminine in the Gnostic Mass of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.)" (2014). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1686. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1686 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the University Graduate School at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Miami, Florida GNOSTICISM, TRANSFORMATION, AND THE ROLE OF THE FEMININE IN THE GNOSTIC MASS OF THE ECCLESIA GNOSTICA CATHOLICA (E.G.C.) A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in RELIGIOUS STUDIES by Ellen P. Randolph 2014 To: Interim Dean Michael R. Heithaus College of Arts and Sciences This thesis, written by Ellen P. Randolph, and entitled Gnosticism, Transformation, and the Role of the Feminine in the Gnostic Mass of the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica (E.G.C.), having been approved in respect to style and intellectual content, is referred to you for judgment.
    [Show full text]
  • The Undergraduate Catalogue of the University of New Hampshire 1964-1965
    LinLuEX5.Liu of The Undergraduate Catalogue of the UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 1964-1965 VOL. LV APRIL 1964 NO. 10 The Bulletin of the University of New Hampshire is published three times in January, twice in November and December, and once in Sep- tember, March, and April. Second-class postage paid at Durham, N. H. Contents University Calendar 5 Officers and Faculty 7 Admission 43 The Colleges 49 Agriculture 51 Liberal Arts 64 Technology 104 Whittemore School of Business and Economics 119 Graduate School 132 Description of Courses 133 1964-1965 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 5 M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 12 3 4 5 1 2 3 12 3 4 5 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 DECEMBER JANUARY FEBRUARY 5 M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 12 3 4 5 1 2 12 3 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 31 MARCH APRIL MAY S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 12 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 JUNE JULY AUGUST 5 M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 12 3 4 5 1 2 3 12 3 4
    [Show full text]
  • An Essay Upon Number
    An Essay Upon Number by Frater Hoor Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. CONTENTS Page 1. The Great Undefined 11 2. “Thelemic” Mathematics 5 3. The Enochian System and the English Alphabet 8 4. A Brief Analysis of The Book of the Law 11 Chapter One 11 Chapter Two 23 Chapter Three 28 1. The Great Undefined Top There is one essential problem with mathematics as it stands: the fact that it is based entirely on the concept of division. That is, all of its formulae and theorems are founded on the idea of the number one, which is divided (has separation) from zero by some amount only knowable as itself, the number one. Repeated division produces 2, and 3, etc. There is a system of mathematical shorthand called “Typographical Number Theory”, from which it should theoretically be possible to write any conceivable mathematical formula or theorem, using only five basic axioms. These axioms are the basis of the current model of mathematics in its entirety. However, Kurt Gödel showed that it is possible to create any number of theorems using that system which could neither be proved to be true, nor ultimately denied, within the rules of the system;1 and this is done by positing a theorem in T.N.T. which reads: “Sentence G: This theorem is not a part of T.N.T.” The actual formulation of this theorem within the rules of T.N.T. is theoretically possible; and it has been taken as proof that all possible systems of logic are necessarily incomplete.2 There is an obvious point to be made here, which is that in every respect the “G-sentence” is equivalent in its unknowability to the number zero.
    [Show full text]
  • Vernal Equinox Go-Live / Stream the Invocation of Horus from the Libri of Aleister Crowley – the Equinox of the Gods – Chapter 6
    Vernal Equinox go-live / stream The Invocation of Horus From The Libri of Aleister Crowley – The Equinox of the Gods – Chapter 6 The Arising of THE BEAST 666. 9○=2□ It has been judged best to reprint as it stands the account of these matters originally compiled for “The Temple of Solomon the King.” (Equinox Vol. I, No. VII, pp 357-386.) (The notes for this article were worked out in collaboration with Captain (now Major-General) J.F.C. Fuller. Every means of cross-examination was pressed to the utmost.) THE PRIEST In opening this the most important section of Frater P.'s career, we may be met by the unthinking with the criticism that since it deals rather with his relation to others than with his personal attainment, it has no place in this volume. (Projected by Fuller as no more than a record of the personal attainment of Aleister Crowley.) Such criticism is indeed shallow. True, the incidents which we are about to record took place on planes material or contiguous thereto; true, so obscure is the light by which we walk that much must be left in doubt; true, we have not as yet the supreme mystical attainment to record; but on the other hand it is our view that the Seal set upon Attainment may be itself fittingly recorded in the story of that Attainment, and that no step in progress is more important than that when it is said to the aspirant: “Now that you are able to walk alone, let it be your first care to use that strength to help others!” And so this great event which we are about to describe, an event which will lead, as time will show, to the establishment of a New Heaven and New Earth for all men, wore the simplest and humblest guise.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction 1 War During the Prophet's Lifetime
    Notes Introduction 1. Johnson, Th e Holy War Idea, p. 21; Said, Orientalism; and Covering Islam. 2. Firestone, Jihād, p. 13. 3. Johnson, Th e Holy War Idea, p. 19. 4. Ibid., p. 22. 5. Ibid., p. 23. 6. Donner, “Th e Sources of Islamic Conceptions of War,” p. 57. 7. Firestone, Jihād, p. 13. 8. Martin, “Th e Religious Foundations of War, Peace, and Statecraft in Islam,” p. 108. See also Halliday, Islam and the Myth of Confrontation, p. 35. 9. Haddad, “Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm: Th e Islamist Perspective,” p. 256. See also, e.g., Otterbeck, “Th e Depiction of Islam in Sweden,” pp. 143– 156. Margaret Pettygrove indicates that “Th e demonization and reduction of Islam in popular American culture, particularly with respect to suicide bomb- ings and Political Islam, suggests that Islam is an inherently violent or extremist religion” (“Conceptions of War in Islamic Legal Th eory and Practice,” p. 35). See also Abu-Nimer, “A Framework for Nonviolence and Peacebuilding in Islam,” p. 221. 10. Huntington, “Th e Clash of Civilizations?,” p. 48. See also Huntington, Th e Clash of Civilization and the Remaking of World Order. 11. See Buaben, Image of the Prophet Muh.ammad in the West, pp. 327, 329. 12. Watt, Bell’s Introduction to the Qur’ān, p. 182. 1 War during the Prophet’s Lifetime 1. See Watt, Muhammad at Medina, pp. 336–338; Watt, Muh.ammad: Prophet and Statesman, pp. 241 f. 2. Ibn Ish. āq, Al- Sīrah. 3. See Ibn Kathīr, Al- Sīrah, Vol. 1, p. 24.
    [Show full text]
  • War Stories from the New York Courts
    FEBRUARY 2015 VOL. 87 | NO. 2 JournalNEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION More War Stories From the New York Courts by Harold Lee Schwab Also in this Issue Commercial Landlord- Tenant Law and Procedure – Part I Points of View: Is the UBE Right for New York? NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION My NYSBA membership has provided a wealth of opportunities for me to meet and collaborate with colleagues from across the state, and has contributed to my professional development.” Erica M. Hines, Esq. NYSBA member since 2009 Albany, NY A Membership as Unique as Your Career Renew today for 2015 | www.nysba.org/renew BESTSELLERS FROM THE NYSBA BOOKSTORE February 2015 Best Practices in Legal Management Entertainment Law, 4th Ed. N.Y. Municipal Formbook, 4th Ed. The most complete treatment of the business Completely revised, Entertainment Law, A must-have for attorneys whose practice of running a law firm. With forms on CD. 4th Edition covers the principal areas of touches on zoning law, labor issues, real PN: 4131 / Member $139 / List $179 / 498 entertainment law. property rights within towns and villages, pages PN 40862 / Member $150 / List $175 / 986 telecommunications and other public con- pages loose-leaf tracts, roads and highways, FOIL requests, Criminal and Civil Contempt, 2nd Ed. and use of public lands. More than 1500 This second edition explores a number of Estate Planning and Will Drafting in forms on CD. aspects of criminal and civil contempt under New York 2013–2014 PN 41603 / Member $150 / List $185 / New York’s Judiciary and Penal Laws, focus- Completely updated, this comprehensive 228 pages ing on contempt arising out of grand jury text will benefit those who are just and trial proceedings.
    [Show full text]
  • Hawkins Jillian
    UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES The significance of the place-name element *funta in the early middle ages. JILLIAN PATRICIA HAWKINS Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy July 2011 UNIVERSITY OF WINCHESTER ABSTRACT FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy The significance of the place-name element *funta in the early middle ages. Jillian Patricia Hawkins The Old English place-name element *funta derives from Late Latin fontāna, “spring”, and is found today in 21 place-names in England. It is one of a small group of such Latin-derived elements, which testify to a strand of linguistic continuity between Roman Britain and early Anglo- Saxon England. *funta has never previously been the subject of this type of detailed study. The continued use of the element indicates that it had a special significance in the interaction, during the fifth and sixth centuries, between speakers of British Latin and speakers of Old English, and this study sets out to assess this significance by examining the composition of each name and the area around each *funta site. Any combined element is always Old English. The distribution of the element is in the central part of the south- east lowland region of England. It does not occur in East Anglia, East Kent, west of Warwickshire or mid-Wiltshire or north of Peterborough. Seven of the places whose names contain the element occur singly, the remaining fourteen appearing to lie in groups. The areas where *funta names occur may also have other pre-English names close by.
    [Show full text]