Primary sources provide first-hand testimony or direct
evidence concerning a topic under investigation. They are created by witnesses
or recorders who experienced the events of conditions being documented. Primary
sources are original materials and may be artefacts, documents or other sources
of information created at the time under study.
They are characterised by their content, regardless of whether they are
available in original format, in microfilm, in digital format or in published
format.
 |
| Late Roman and "Arthurian" artefacts |
It is through the primary sources that the past
indisputably imposes its reality on the historian. That this imposition is
basic in any understanding of the past is clear from the rules that documents
should not be altered, or that any material damaging to a historian's argument
or purpose should not be left out or suppressed. These rules mean that the
sources or the texts of the past have an integrity and that they do indeed
'speak for themselves', and that they are necessary constraints through which
past reality imposes itself on the historian. [E. Sreedharan (2004) A textbook of Historiography, 500 B.C. to
A.D. 2000 Orient Longman, p.302] [try Google Books for this]
 |
| Celtic myth and Arthurian artefact |
However, there are considerable challenges in the use
of primary sources. They are usually fragmentary and most usually survive
without their original context. They are often ambiguous and notoriously
difficult to interpret. Eyewitnesses may misunderstand events or distort their
reports either deliberately or unconsciously. These effects often increase over
time as others uses these sources and add further distorting filters. It is
usually helpful to interrogate the source and one of the most common methods
uses the following “W” questions : Who, What, When, Where and Why.
 |
| Gildas instructing a pupil |
Analyses of the works of Gildas, Nennius and Bede have been used equally to debunk and support the historicity of Arthur.
The question to answer is this:
What historical question can you answer using the excerpts of Gildas, Nennius and Bede found in the unit reader?
We can conclude that around 450ad, there were a number of battles for the claim on Britain. After 12 battles there is victory by the Britons. The arrival of the Saxons seems to have tipped the Britons over the edge causing them to revolt against their allies. Ambrosius Aurelianus is of interest as he is noted as being a military leader who fought with the kings of Briton in these said battles. Maybe this is in fact Arthur?
ReplyDeleteVery perceptive. Could you have another think about this and respond to the question which is What historical question can you answer using the excerpts of Gildas, Nennius and Bede found in the unit reader?
DeleteWhat were the relationships between Britons and Foreigners in the 5th Century?
ReplyDeleteAre there Historical figures that might have inspired the legend of Arthur? If so, who?
Ali Braun-Clancy
These specific excerpts can answer many historical questions and give certain insights into the truth of Arthur. The section that we see from Gildas poses several questions. Is the lack of mention of Arthur proof that they had a personal relationship, therefore giving Arthur a specific date? Is he perhaps not mentioned because he is a tyrant? Does this mean Arthur was a tyrant or is that proof that he was not king during the 5th century? While we cannot answer these questions we can answer when Gildas was born, whether Roman social ranking was relevant in Britain, the impact of religious belief on society and the extent of Britain's foreign affairs. Questions that Nennius answers are what kind of dating system was in use at the time and the degree of religious influence. The presence of myth could also help answer several historical questions. It shows poor communicative technology (if the mythical elements have resulted from 'chinese wispers'), that Britain was not densely populated (which would therefore mean it was in a highly agriculture stage of social development) and possibly the use of social propaganda methods to endorse Arthur's image to the people. Also we gain insight into Arthur's personality. Bede's factual approach answers questions such as what was the extent of Britain's foreign relationships and internal conflicts? It also helps answer questions about Britain's geographical make-up during the 5th Century.
ReplyDeleteLiz Naylor
I am not sure if my question is historical enough but here it goes.
ReplyDeleteWere the wars waged by the British Kings just wars or were they simply for personal gain and ego boosts.
It is clear that the British were heavily involved in conflict throughout the Nennius, Gildas and Bede eras. Each written piece describes something different with Gildas especially taking a highly negative slant at the leadership of Britain furthering the question, were the british Kings at the time looking after the interests of Britain or just there own?
We can answer that the Saxons forced a foothold in Britain, and after the Britons sought to repel them, they came back in numbers bringing kings from Germany and armies to conquer and rule of Britain.
ReplyDeleteWe can also answer that the native Britons were in fear of the Saxons, who turned on them, often outcast and forced to flee from their settlements, living in mountains and woods and crags, forced to hide. Those who returned to the invading Saxons camps and settlements were slain.
The Britons also started to gain heart and belief, it is possible here that an Arthurian hero emerged to lead the Britons in repelling the Saxon invaders.