Category Archives: Books

The Fields of Puttenhamia: Some thoughts on the place of Roman landscape features in the early medieval period and beyond

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Robert J S Briggs

This is me returning to the theme of early fields and field systems initiated by a long (and gratifyingly popular) post from back in the Spring. Identifying the physical remains of field systems in the northern half of Puttenham Common may … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture, Anglo-Saxon, Archaeology, Books, Dating, Field-names, Landscape, Old English, Pottery, Puttenham, Topography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Three new books on aspects of medieval Surrey

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Robert J S Briggs

A pleasing thing happened a few weeks ago – I was sent a new book by its author, in the hope that (1) it might be of interest to me and (2) I might publicise it via this blog. It’s never happened … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Books, Dorking, History, Pottery, Publishing, Surrey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Puttenham church: new research, and a new church guide

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Robert J S Briggs

One thing I’ve been involved in over the past few months has been the production of a new visitor guide for Puttenham church. It’s been an educational experience knocking the first draft into shape over several revisions, and making sure the contents … Continue reading →

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The reviews are in (again)

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Robert J S Briggs

Earlier this month, I enjoyed an afternoon in a gown and mortarboard as I graduated from the University of Nottingham. It was a pleasant break from the work routine – oh, go on then, it was one of my proudest moments of the year – but … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, Archaeology, Barrows, Books, History, Landscape, Nottingham, Place-Names, Publishing, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All work and all play

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Robert J S Briggs

It’s been a good few weeks since I posted anything and there are two good reasons why. First, I’ve been up to my eyeballs in writing my MA dissertation, which has taken up most of my waking hours (not to … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Excuses | Tagged | Leave a comment

Books on Anglo-Saxon Surrey are a lot like buses…

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Robert J S Briggs

… but as I’m sure you know how the saying goes, I won’t belabour the point (other than to note that unfortunately it doesn’t apply to the bus stop outside my front door, which has a steady stream of services around … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, Archaeology, Books, Dating, Landscape, News, Publishing, Surrey, Talk, Topography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The forgetful frater, or, an eighth-century reminder to make good notes

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Robert J S Briggs

Here’s a little late-night blast from the library, not because I have something urgent I want to get off my chest but because it concerns something I came across earlier which chimed with me because of the nature of my current workload … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, Books, Church, Excuses, Hagiography, History, Latin, Monasteries, Northumbria, Religion, Ritual | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Respect your elders: thoughts on a brace of under-appreciated Bedan place-names

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Robert J S Briggs

I get the sense many people who are normally diligent in publishing blog posts at fairly regular intervals are otherwise occupied right now with things related to the impending end of the academic teaching year. I’ve long given up any pretence to regularity … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, Bede, Books, Charters, Church, Dating, Folklore, History, Landscape, Latin, Monasteries, Northumbria, Old English, Place-Names, Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

At the edges of Old English toponomastics 2: a textual sidelight on Clandon

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Robert J S Briggs

Seconds out, round two… Like Wanborough, the place-name Clandon (shared by two parishes east of Guildford) represents a compound of two Old English words, in this case clǣne and dūn (e.g. CDEPN, 140). The qualifier occurs most frequently with OE feld (“open land”) but has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, Books, Clandon, Landscape, Latin, Old English, Place-Names | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Not leaving the house

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Robert J S Briggs

It’s drawing dark outside despite it still being a reasonable hour which makes me realise two things: winter is pretty much upon us, and I’m not going to make it out of the house in the light today. Quite honestly, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aberdeen, Being organised, Books, History, London, Nottingham, Place-Names, Puttenham, Talk, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment