History and Historians

This book makes a selection of writings by the great medieval historian, Sir Richard Southern, available to the wider audience they deserve. A collection of writings by the great medieval historian, Sir Richard Southern. Offers a fascinating insight into the beliefs and ideas that underpinned Southern’s work. Contains the series of reflections on medieval historical writing that Southern produced during his tenure as President of the Royal Historical Society. Also includes pieces on the nature of academic history, as well as Southern’s appreciations of other medievalists. Brings together texts that would otherwise be difficult to locate. Makes these writings accessible to the wider audience they deserve.

Abbreviations vii Place of First Publication viii Preface by Janet Nelson x Introduction 1 Part I Aspects of the European Tradition of Historical Writing 1 The Classical Tradition from Einhard to Geoffrey of Monmouth 11 2 Hugh of St. Victor and the Idea of Historical Development 30 3 History as Prophecy 48 4 The Sense of the Past 66 Part II History 5 The Shape and Substance of Academic History 87 6 The Historical Experience 104 7 The Truth about the Past 120 Part III Historians 8 Review of The Letters of Frederic William Maitland 137 9 Sir Maurice Powicke (1879–1963) 144 10 Vivian Hunter Galbraith (1889–1976) 168 11 Richard William Hunt (1908–1979) 193 12 Marjorie Reeves as a Historian 218 13 Beryl Smalley (1905–1984) 225 Notes 240 Bibliography of the Publications of R. W. Southern 260 Index 271