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Trilingualism and National Identity in England, from the Mid-Twelfth to the Early Fourteenth Century

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Trilingualism and National Identity in England, from the Mid-Twelfth to the Early Fourteenth Century Western Washington University Western CEDAR WWU Graduate School Collection WWU Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarship Fall 2015 Three Languages, One Nation: Trilingualism and National Identity in England, From the Mid-Twelfth to the Early Fourteenth Century Christopher Anderson Western Washington University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet Part of the History Commons Recommended Citation Anderson, Christopher, "Three Languages, One Nation: Trilingualism and National Identity in England, From the Mid-Twelfth to the Early Fourteenth Century" (2015). WWU Graduate School Collection. 449. https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwuet/449 This Masters Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the WWU Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarship at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in WWU Graduate School Collection by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Three Languages, One Nation Trilingualism and National Identity in England, From the Mid-Twelfth to the Early Fourteenth Century By Christopher Anderson Accepted in Partial Completion Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Kathleen L. Kitto, Dean of the Graduate School Advisory Committee Chair, Dr. Peter Diehl Dr. Amanda Eurich Dr. Sean Murphy Master’s Thesis In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a master’s degree at Western Washington University, I grant to Western Washington University the non-exclusive royalty-free right to archive, reproduce, distribute, and display the thesis in any and all forms, including electronic format, via any digital library mechanisms maintained by WWU. I represent and warrant this is my original work, and does not infringe or violate any rights of others. I warrant that I have obtained written permissions from the owner of any third party copyrighted material included in these files. I acknowledge that I retain ownership rights to the copyright of this work, including but not limited to the right to use all or part of this work in future works, such as articles or books. Library users are granted permission for individual, research and non-commercial reproduction of this work for educational purposes only. Any further digital posting of this document requires specific permission from the author. Any copying or publication of this thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, is not allowed without my written permission. Christopher Anderson November 12, 2015 Three Languages, One Nation Trilingualism and National Identity in England, From the Mid-Twelfth to the Early Fourteenth Century A Thesis Present to The Faculty of Western Washington University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts By Christopher Anderson November 2015 Abstract The present study examines the question of pre-modern national identity and its association with language in medieval England from the mid-twelfth to early fourteenth century, particularly the use of language to express collective identity. In doing so, the use and meaning associated with the three languages of medieval England (English, French, and Latin) are explored through an interdisciplinary approach, using typical historical sources, while also drawing on primary and secondary source material from literary history. Chapter one looks at the changing and reshaping of English national identity following the Norman Conquest of 1066, focusing on assimilation and identity conflict from the mid-twelfth to the early thirteenth century. It concludes by illustrating the development of a collective English identity, the sense of which shared a commonality presented by writers in all three languages. In this chapter, each language is treated separately so as to examine the specific social, cultural, and political associations with the languages and how they inform on matters of identity formation and change over time. The second chapter focuses on the personal reign of Henry III and the baronial reforms and rebellions of the 1260s. Here, the questions of national identity and the meaning of being an Englishman are examined through primary sources written in all three languages of England. Through this, the chapter highlights a moment in the 1260s that represents the collectiveness of the English nation represented in terms of a shared commonality, primarily through a shared history, culture, and customs, but also through their shared English language. The third and final chapter explores changes to English national identity present in the three languages in the reign of Edward I (r. 1272-1307). During his reign, French and Latin writers increasingly expressed their English national identity through the “otherness” of the peoples that surrounded them: most important for this study the French, Welsh, and Scots. In comparison, English vernacular writers began to frame their own sense of English national identity by way of social division, represented by status and education. What is termed the “divided community” is examined through the reading of French and Latin chronicles that speak to the separation of the English people through imperialist conquests as the hallmark of national identity, and English vernacular sources which illustrate an internal separateness, one that is not new, but different from the division present after the Norman Conquest. Overall, the study highlights the discrepant experience of English national identity during the period and how the choice of using one language over the other two implied and actively emphasized different senses of English identity. iv Acknowledgements Every scholar accumulates a significant amount of indebtedness to those who have shaped, guided, and acted as inspiration for their work. This work, itself, is no exception, but it also warrants a particularly lengthy list of acknowledgements considering the amount of time I spent on this project and the journey I went through for its completion. Over the course of my research and writing I moved across the country, was given a life-changing medical diagnosis that significant inhibited my ability to work for months at a time, and tested the resolve and dedication of not only myself, but those who I relied on most directly for support and guidance. Firstly, I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to my thesis advisor, Dr. Peter Diehl, who perhaps has endured the worst of it with me. Not only did he prove to be an exceptional advisor and a much needed guide through the process, but also a great friend. Despite all of the setbacks we faced, his support was unwavering, and his dedication to my future as an academic proved to be absolute. From visiting me in the hospital, working with me from a distance, and spending countless hours on the phone discussing the ins and outs of my interests and the shape of the present work, Dr. Diehl exhibits an interest and sincerity with his students that is truly steadfast and enduring. The two members of my thesis committee also deserve recognition, not only for their help, but certainly for their patience. Dr. Sean Murphy served as a critical but necessary voice that challenged my conceptions and pushed me to engage with my work more deeply and thoughtfully. My only regret is that we could not have worked together more closely. Likewise, Dr. Amanda Eurich’s encouragement and support was always needed and much appreciated during the most trying aspect of my medical treatment. Several members of the faculty at Western Washington University also contributed to both the direction and completion of this thesis. I would like to thank the chair of the History Department Dr. Kevin Leonard, Dr. Steven Garfinkle, Dr. Roger Thompson and Dr. Johann Neem. For his years of help and guidance, I thank Dr. Leonard Helfgott who will continue to be an inspiration. I am also greatly indebted to my colleagues at Western Washington University, many of whom have moved on to PhD programs during the course of my work, but continued to provide feedback and support. First among them is Loren Cowdery, my academic sparring partner. Over the six years it took me to complete this work Mr. Cowdery acted as not only a voice of reason and criticism, but a voice of everlasting encouragement. I would also like to thank Christopher “Nof” Nofziger, Aaron George, and Cara Bertram. Lastly, I have a couple of more personal acknowledgements to make. Firstly, I would like to thank my father-in-law Dr. Richard Wakefield. While I certainly owe gratitude for his love and support, he reviewed and provided editorial feedback for a considerable amount of the present work. Perhaps my greatest gratitude goes to my wife Mary Wakefield. She has been my rock and my guiding light through the years of struggle, moments of uncertainty, and late nights in the study. Her eyes have been over every line of the study below, from which she has given me invaluable feedback and provided me with direction when I was convinced there was none. Her love and support saw me through perhaps the most challenge period of my life. The production of this piece of scholarship would have been impossible without her. There is an infinite amount of thanks. Clearly, brevity is not my forte, but I hope it suffices as I draw this to a conclusion to extend my most profound and sincere thanks to the countless individuals who have influenced and support me over the last six years. You all know who you are and have my undying love and appreciation. v Table
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