Welcome to the Department of
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic

In the Department of ASNC we study the history, material culture, languages, and literatures of the various peoples who inhabited Britain, Ireland, and the extended Scandinavian world, in the early Middle Ages (5th century to 12th century). We study these peoples separately, and in relation to each other. Our students might choose to focus on history and material culture, or on language and literature; but most of them range in their own ways across the different areas and disciplines.

 

News

RAE 2008 Results

In the recently announced results of the UK Research Assessment Exercise, the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic has been rated in the highest terms. Because of the multidisciplinary nature of the Department’s research, parts of our submission were considered by the English, History and Classics panels as well as by the Celtic Studies panel, which was responsible for the assessment overall. The Department’s profile is as follows: 45% world-leading research (category 4*), 30% internationally excellent research (3*) and 20% nationally excellent research (2*). As well as being ranked first in the Celtic Studies field (see the RAE Celtic Studies listing), the Department was also among the highest-ranked Departments and Faculties of the University (see RAE Cambridge listing). The quality of the research environment and the esteem in which members of the Department are held formed part of the assessment, along with the published research of the staff of the Department, post-doctoral research fellows and research associates.

Isaac Newton Trust Applications 2009-10

The Newton Trust has agreed to offer matching support to individuals from the arts and social sciences who successfully apply for Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships in 2010. It will match the level of the Leverhulme grant over a two-year or three-year period depending on the case made, up to a maximum of £23,000 in year one. Applications for Newton Trust support must be sent to Departments, not directly to the Trust. The deadline for Departmental receipt is 20 January 2010. Please see the linked document for further information regarding application criteria and deadlines.

For more general information of the Isaac Newton Trust and applications please see the linked document.

 

Forthcoming Events

CCASNC 2010: Kith and Kin

The 2010 Annual Colloquium shall be held on Saturday 27 February.
Location: English Faculty, Ground Floor Rooms G-R06/7
Keynote speaker: Dr Carolyne Larrington, Supernumerary Fellow in English, St. John's College, Oxford. Dr. Larrington will be speaking about "Family Drama in the Heroic Poetry of the Edda."

For further information please see our Associated Conferences page or contact the organising committee

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The Early Medieval World: Saturday 20th March, St Peter's School, York : A day conference for students in Years 11 and 12 and their teachers

This conference to be held on Saturday 20 March 2010, will introduce students in Years 11 and 12, and their teachers, to the history, culture, languages and literature of Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia in the early medieval period. Admission to the conference, lunch and refreshments are free of charge. More information can be on our conference programme or you can contact the Departmental Secretary.

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H. M. Chadwick Memorial Lecture 2010

The 2010 Chadwick Memorial Lecture shall be delivered by Professor J. P. Nagy, University of California, USA on Thursday 11 March in room G-R06-7 of the English Faculty Building, 9 West Road, Cambridge. The lecture entitled "Merchants of Myth in Ancient and Medieval Celtic Traditions" will be followed by a wine reception. All are welcome.

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ASNC Summer School in association with the Sutton Trust

From 17th to 20th August 2010, the Department will be hosting a Sutton Trust Summer School in Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic. The aim of the Summer School is to offer Year 12 pupils from state schools an insight into the life of an undergraduate at Cambridge University, by staying in a College, attending lectures and classes, and participating in social activities.

The ASNC Summer School is an opportunity to explore early medieval Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia through a number of different disciplines: history, languages, literature, and palaeography (the study of manuscripts). Students will be able to choose from a selection of seminars, lectures and classes, depending on their individual interests. Participants will also have the chance to see some Anglo-Saxon and Celtic manuscripts at first hand. No previous knowledge of the subjects studied is expected or required.

More information on the Summer School can be found on the Cambridge University Summer School pages and on the Sutton Trust website.

CALL FOR PAPERS - CICS 2010

The theme for the Cambridge International Chronicles Symposium (CICS) 2010 is Authority and Gender in Medieval and Renaissance Chronicles, which will be debated over the three days during open sessions of three twenty-five minute papers, alternating with longer keynote addresses. Selected papers will be published in a volume bearing the same title within two years of the conference. The 2008 inaugural proceedings appeared in the Medieval Chronicle, vols. VI (2009) and VII (2010, forthcoming).

For further information, please see the CICS webapges.