Land ownership in Anglo-Saxon Northumbria: jurisdiction, conflict and convergence (8 th century)The current article discusses the question of land ownership in Anglo-Saxon England. The main hypothesis of the article is that in 8th century Northumbria jurisdictions over land ownership were not clearly defined. Conflicts, discussions and redefinitions about the topic were common. The article investigates the contradictions between social practice and discourse about property, aiming to reach the social contradictions that underpin social dynamics. The main sources used by historiography are the donation charters; however, there are no surviving charters in Northumbria. Therefore, it is necessary to address other primary sources. The main sources for the discussion in this article are Bede’s “Letter to Archbishop Ecgbert”; “Life of Wilfrid”, written by Stephanus; and the “Song of the Abbots”, attributed to Æthelwulf.
Keywords:
Anglo-Saxon England; Land Ownership; Aristocracy