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Reflections of Anglo-Saxon England (2011)

Costume of a Saxon chief from Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, The costume of the original inhabitants of the British islands (London, 1815). Thordarson Collection, Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Costume of a Saxon chief from Sir Samuel Rush Meyrick, The costume of the original inhabitants of the British islands (London, 1815). Thordarson Collection, Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mid-July through September 2011

This exhibit in Special Collections explored the history, artifacts, and myths of Anglo-Saxon England and their many political and cultural uses. Featuring printed books from the 16th century through the present, the exhibit complemented the biennial conference of the International Society of Anglo-Saxonists — a conference photo-gallery suggests lively attention to contents of the exhibit. Books on display highlighted reflections of (and on) Anglo-Saxon England, including renderings of language of the period, depictions of archaeological finds, chronicles of the Christianization of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and accounts — whether sober or fanciful — of custom, dress, and battle.

The impetus for the exhibit came from now professor emeritus John D. Niles, president in 2011 of the International Society of Anglo-Saxonists, who also brought numerous exhibit-worthy titles to our attention. The exhibit’s curator was Lynnette Regouby, dissertator in the Department of History of Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, who was able to uncover many an illustrated treasure among the holdings of Special Collections, Memorial Library, and other campus libraries.

An illustrated checklist is available.