Exploring early Germanic views on the body, this study utilizes linguistic anthropology to examine the intersections of medicine, anatomy, and law. It highlights how these cultures understood bodily medical value, physiological roles, psychological significance, and social implications. Lisi Oliver's work offers fresh insights into the complex ways in which the body was perceived and valued in early Germanic societies.
The earliest laws from Anglo-Saxon England, attributed to Helbert of Kent, Hlohere, Eadric, and Wihtred, provide crucial insights into the evolution of legal language and practices during the early Christian conversion. Helbert's laws reflect pre-literate Germanic traditions, while Hlohere and Eadric's laws emphasize legal procedures. Wihtred's laws illustrate the adaptation of legal frameworks to align with the new Christian values, showcasing the dynamic interplay between law and societal changes in this formative period.
King Alfred's domboc ('book of laws'), the most ambitious legal text of the Anglo-Saxon period, combines translated biblical laws with Alfred's own ordinances and those of the early West-Saxon King Ine. This edition and commentary - the first in over a century - will interest all students of English history and law.