Overview

Whether certain ancient British communities could be termed Celtic has been an ongoing debate since data first appeared in the 1950s. This study attempts to determine if Gwent could be defined as Celtic. Earlier research suggests that it is possible and that its landscape was managed through multiple estates. However, when combined with newer evidence and analysis, a picture emerges of the Silures from the earliest Iron Age until the arrival of the Normans, suggesting that they should also be considered. This book also focuses on the evolution of Silurian identity over time and the academic debates surrounding Celticity and multiple estates. The patterns of cultural continuity and their relationship with south-eastern Wales are analysed in depth. Evidence is drawn from a variety of sources, such as material culture, proof of land management strategies, comments from Classical authors, medieval documents and secondary interpretations.

Full Product Details

Author:   Paul Edgar Bailey Thomas
Publisher:   BAR Publishing
Imprint:   BAR Publishing
ISBN:  

9781407315393

ISBN 10:   1407315390
Pages:   184
Publication Date:   27 October 2023
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

List of Figures List of Tables Abbreviations Glossary of Welsh words used within the text Abstract Study Introduction Part 1. Forebears and enduring traditions Introduction The Silures Defining the extent of Siluria and Gwent Silurian studies Silurian monumentality Transhumance farming and Gwent Living Well Living together Silurian material culture Silurian rituals, hoards, deposition and feasting Silurian funerary ritual Silurian holy ground and indigenous divinities The Silurian-Roman war The aftermath of the Silurian-Roman war and Venta Silurum Silurian and Roman acculturation Conclusion Part 2. The Matter of Gwent Introduction Western Britain Military organisation in Wales circa CE 410 and the comes tractus maritimis per Britannias (Count of the Coastal Zones for Britain) The emergence of Gwent The built environment Venta Silurum Isca and its canabae Other urban settlements Rural settlement forms Oligarchy to aristocracy? The Liber Landavensis Paramount kings, mesne kings, overkings and lordships: patterns of power? Early Church development in Gwent Holy wells and springs: unofficial Christianity? (1) Yew trees: unofficial Christianity? (2) Official Christianity The early medieval landscape of Gwent (1): environmental evidence The early medieval landscape of Gwent (2): boundaries The early medieval landscape of Gwent (3): cantrefi and cwmydoedd The early medieval landscape of Gwent (4): new settlement patterns? Economy, subsistence and society (1): the Cyfnerth code Economy, subsistence and society (2): faunal evidence Economy, subsistence and society (3): material culture Economy, subsistence and society (4): wider production and exchange networks Economy, subsistence and society (5): money and exchange Economy, subsistence and society (6): the multiple estate system and Gwent Gwent's monarchy before the Normans: an early state? The Church in Gwent: development and effects Wars between Welsh kingdoms, Anglo-Saxon raids and the Norman incursion Conclusion Part 3. Continuity, Celticity and Gwent Introduction Inherited traditions (1) myths? Inherited traditions (2) Arthur and Gwent Inherited traditions (3) personal names Inherited traditions (4) multiple images, triplism and triads Inherited traditions (5) aspects of material culture over time Inherited traditions (6) Silurian monumentality and the Silurian landscape Inherited traditions (7) a Celtic Church? Inherited traditions (8) customs and laws Conclusion Study conclusion Appendices can be accessed online.

Reviews

'This book is wide-ranging and contributes an important degree of originality.  I know of no other studies that cover such an extensive overview of the 'Celt debate' with respect to Gwent.' Professor Raymond Howell, University of Wales  

Author Information

Dr Paul Edgar Bailey Thomas is a history teacher. He graduated from the University of Wales (Newport) and conducted his post graduate studies at the University of South Wales and Bangor University.

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