Subjects
Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic
What makes the Cambridge course in Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic so special?
The Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Tripos is unique to Cambridge. It is a two-part Tripos, taken over three years, with a Preliminary examination at the end of the first year, Part I at the end of the second year and Part II at the end of the third year. The Tripos offers students a wide and unique range of options in the history, languages and literatures of the British Isles, Ireland and Scandinavia in the period from the end of the Roman Empire to the end of the Middle Ages. Undergraduates have a free choice of papers and may range as they wish across the historical and literary papers and across Germanic and Celtic papers. They may also borrow complementary medieval papers from certain other Triposes, such as Archaeology, History and English. All the papers lay much emphasis on acquaintance with the primary sources in order to understand medieval literature and history. While no previous knowledge of any of these subjects is required, motivation and commitment are essential.
Part I of the Tripos can be taken in sequence with a Part of another Tripos, either before or after. Archaeology and Anthropology, Classics, English, History, History of Art, and Modern and Mediaeval Languages are the most usual combinations.
The Department is small and close-knit, and there is also a lively Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Society run by the undergraduates which organises evening seminars, regular lunches and parties.
Why choose Newnham for Anglo-Saxon, Norse & Celtic?
Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic studies have a long and lively history at Newnham, with some of the most famous scholars in the field – Mary Bateson, Nora Chadwick, Dorothy Whitelock and Kathleen Hughes – having been Fellows here. The commitment of Newnham to the subject is strong, and the library provision in College, built up over the years, is excellent.
How many students take ASNaC at Newnham and what options do they choose?
On average two students per year are admitted to read this subject.
The papers are as follows for 2011-12:
Part I
| 1 |
England before the Norman Conquest |
| 2 |
Scandinavian history in the Viking Age |
| 3 |
The Brittonic-speaking peoples from the fourth century to the twelfth |
| 4 |
The Gaelic-speaking peoples from the fourth century to the twelfth |
| 6 |
Old English language and literature |
| 6 |
Old Norse language and literature |
| 7 |
Medieval Welsh language and literature |
| 8 |
Medieval Irish language and literature |
| 9 |
Insular Latin language and literature |
| 10 |
Palaeography and codicology |
| D |
Dissertation |
And the following which may be borrowed from other Triposes:
| 11 |
Early medieval literature and its context (English) |
| 12 |
French literature, thought and history before 1300
(Modern and Medieval Languages) |
| 13 |
Paper not available for this year |
| 14 |
Anglo-Saxon Archaeology (Europe in the first millennium AD, I) |
| 15 |
Scandinavian Archaeology (Europe in the first millennium AD, II) |
Part II
| 1 |
The Anglo-Saxon Chancery |
| 2 |
The coming of Christianity |
| 3 |
Sea Kings and the Celtic Speaking World c. 1014-1164 |
| 4 |
Law and Lawlessness |
| 5 |
Beowulf |
| 6 |
Advanced medieval Scandinavian language and literature |
| 7 |
Advanced medieval Welsh language and literature |
| 8 |
Advanced medieval Irish language and literature |
| 9 |
Writing Women |
| 10 |
Textual criticism |
| 11 |
Germanic philology |
| 12 |
Celtic philology |
| D |
Dissertation [compulsory] |
Borrowed papers for 2011-12
| 13 |
Medieval English literature, 1066-1500: Dreams and Visions |
| 14 |
Medieval Rome and its rulers, 476-769 |
| 15 |
Historical linguistics |
| 16 |
Anglo-Saxon archaeology (Europe in the first millennium AD, I) |
| 17 |
Scandinavian archaeology (Europe in the first millennium AD, II |
How will I be taught at Newnham?
Teaching is provided through a combination of lectures, classes and individual supervisions.
Can you tell me more about the ASNaC Fellows?
At present four Senior Members work in this field:
- Dr Judy Quinn: Old Norse, Scandinavian History and Old English (Director of Studies)
- Dr Catherine Hills: Anglo-Saxon Archaeology
- Dr Sam Lucy: Anglo-Saxon Archaeology
- Dr Sheila Watts: Older Germanic Languages
Dr Debby Banham, a Special Supervisor at Newnham, works on the social and cultural history of Anglo-Saxon England.
What jobs do Newnham ASNaC students go on to do?
The linguistic and analytical skills that this Tripos encourages can be used in a wide range of careers. In addition to the more obviously related careers in academic research and university teaching, translation, publishing, museum work and librarianship, past students have also pursued careers in all types of administrative work such as the civil service and computing, theatre management, journalism, advertising and law.
Are there any A-level subjects that are particularly useful?
There are no subjects which are specifically required, but it is highly desirable to have studied a modern/classical language, and either English Literature or History.
Can I take a gap year?
Of course. We neither encourage nor discourage students from doing this – everyone’s circumstances are different. If you are planning to take a gap year, please give some thought to how you will maintain your academic interests.
How should I prepare for interview at Newnham?
We want to hear you talking in a relaxed manner about the things that interest you, and why they interest you. We can't ask you difficult questions about our specialised subjects, because that would be quite unreasonable in subjects which you won't have done at school. But we do need to be sure that you are well suited to the Tripos, and that your interest extends beyond the passing fancy - since this is a subject where we work hard, dig deep, and have a lot of fun in the process.
Where can I find out more?
