Andrew Welton, 2014-2015 Rothman Doctoral Fellow (Department of History):
Spears, Smiths, and Iron in Anglo-Saxon England
Tuesday, 21 October 2014, 12:00-1:00 pm, Walker Hall 200
Spears are one of the most important, but least understood, archaeological artifacts from early medieval England (c. 450-650 CE). Thousands of spears have been recovered from cemeteries, where nearly half the men were buried with this weapon placed next to their bodies, or in their hands. The role played by the spear in living society is, however, less clear: were spears mere tools, or did they possess greater significance as objects of status, ‘magic’, or personality? In this talk, the relationship between blacksmiths and their material (iron) is explored, suggesting profound social implications for the manner in which not only smiths, but also the warriors for whom they manufactured, related to their weapons.
This event is part of the 2014-15 Fellowship Brown-Bag Series, which features informal talks by the Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere’s Rothman Faculty Summer Fellows, Tedder Doctoral Fellows, and Rothman Doctoral Fellows. Fellows will speak for 20-30 minutes in length about their funded work, leaving ample time for questions and discussion. The Center will provide drinks and dessert.
- This event is free and open to the public.
- For more information on becoming a Rothman Doctoral Fellow, see the Call for Proposals.
- For more information on this event, contact humanities-center@ufl.edu.
Image: Wayland the Smith on the Franks Casket