Ebook: Comparisons and Correlations

Reading beyond borders is, in theory, a methodology admired by early medieval scholars and considered when performing research, but to what extent is comparative history a reality in early medieval scholarship? Furthermore, should we pursue this line of thinking, reading, writing and teaching? What are the potential benefits structurally? What new historical representations will emerge from a sustained, earnest attempt at comparing the physical artifacts, mental archaeology and socio-/geo-graphical landscapes of early medieval minds, places, connections and/or neighbourhoods? As a way to engage these questions the papers deal individually and critically with localized situations. When ascribed within our framework of questions these, we believe, provide important reflective sites and positions for further research in this direction, as we continue to explore how immediate and near realities performed in the functioning of wider topographies... and in fact if they ever really did, or if we’ve taken on too much of the cheese and the worms.