chapters in its extant version. Yet V Atr has thirty-five chapters and VI Atr has fifty-three, and so both are of a size comparable to that of VIII Atr with its forty-four chapters. They also contain similar subject matter; V-VIII Atr are all recognized for focusing on ecclesiastical affairs. With little difference in size and content, it is truly striking how many references to the king are made in VIII Atr in comparison to its predecessors; the effect is a continual reminder of the authority and presence as well as a clear king’s statement on the relationship to the Church. king’s Further supporting the argument that VIII Atr is unusually emphatic concerning role as king, the code also makes comments on kingship generally. In VIII Atr Ӕthelred’s c.1.1, which deals with acts of homicide in churches, violators are to be pursued and denied atonement by monetary compensation. However, if the murderer should reach a place of inviolable sanctuary (swa the king himself may spare him by deope friðsocne), returning the right to atone through compensation. This clause is followed by murderer’s a chapter outlining how the murderer should make amends by paying his own wergeld to the king and to the Church. VIII Atr, c.2.1 Forðam Cristen cyning is Cristes gespelia on Cristenre þeode, and he sceal Cristes abilgðe wrecan swiðe georne. For a Christian king is deputy among Christian people, and he Christ’s must avenge with the utmost diligence offences against Christ. This is the first time at which a direct comment on kingship is made in the legislation of reign. The connection between the king and Christ, and therefore the Church Æthelred’s as the earthly body of Christ, is clearly stated, with the king acting as the worldly agent for will. While this also burdens the king with added responsibility and, therefore, Christ’s culpability should he fail to protect the interests of the Church, this statement on the role of Christian kings does much for expressing Christian legitimacy and his Æthelred’s alliance with and support for and from the Church. This clause also justifies royal
chapters in its extant version. Yet V Atr has thirty-five chapters and VI Atr has fifty-three, and so both are of a size comparable to that of VIII Atr with its forty-four chapters. They also contain similar subject matter; V-VIII Atr are all recognized for focusing on ecclesiastical affairs. With little difference in size and content, it is truly striking how many references to the king are made in VIII Atr in comparison to its predecessors; the effect is a continual reminder of the king’s authority and presence as well as a clear statement on the king’s relationship to the Church. Further supporting the argument that VIII Atr is unusually emphatic concerning Ӕthelred’s role as king, the code also makes comments on kingship generally. In VIII Atr c.1.1, which deals with acts of homicide in churches, violators are to be pursued and denied atonement by monetary compensation. However, if the murderer should reach a place of inviolable sanctuary (swa deope friðsocne), the king himself may spare him by returning the murderer’s right to atone through compensation. This clause is followed by a chapter outlining how the murderer should make amends by paying his own wergeld to the king and to the Church. VIII Atr, c.2.1 Forðam Cristen cyning is Cristes gespelia on Cristenre þeode, and he sceal Cristes abilgðe wrecan swiðe georne. For a Christian king is Christ’s deputy among Christian people, and he must avenge with the utmost diligence offences against Christ. This is the first time at which a direct comment on kingship is made in the legislation of Æthelred’s reign. The connection between the king and Christ, and therefore the Church as the earthly body of Christ, is clearly stated, with the king acting as the worldly agent for Christ’s will. While this also burdens the king with added responsibility and, therefore, culpability should he fail to protect the interests of the Church, this statement on the role of Christian kings does much for expressing Æthelred’s Christian legitimacy and his alliance with and support for and from the Church. This clause also justifies royal
Final%20PhD%20Submission%20with%20Corrections%20-%20William%20White.docx