Feminist Critical Methodologies for the Early Middle Ages

In the 1980s and ‘90s, trailblazing scholars such as Helen Damico, Alexandra Hennessey Olsen, Clare Lees, and Gillian Overing laid vital groundwork for feminist scholarship of early medieval England. But like much critical theory, feminist approaches have struggled to maintain a solid toehold in a field historically resistant to such scholarship. Since 2016, A Feminist Renaissance in Anglo-Saxon Studies has, as a scholarly collective, been working to revitalize feminist methodologies as well as bring together scholars who are exploring the utility of these methodologies for early medieval scholarship.

This roundtable solicits 5-6 brief presentations of projects that use feminist readings to start new conversations with and among early medieval texts, objects, and cultures. We are especially interested in scholarship that broadens the traditional scope of studies of early medieval England, and perhaps helps us to leave the term “Anglo-Saxon” behind, by recognizing the geographic and cultural connectedness of the early medieval world. However, work that focuses exclusively on the cultures traditionally referred to as “Anglo-Saxon” is also welcome.

This roundtable is sponsored by A Feminist Renaissance in Early English Medieval Studies. Please submit abstracts of approximately 300 words and a Participant Information Form to Erin Sweany (esweany@vassar.edu) and Rebecca Straple (rebecca.straple@wmich.edu) by September 20.