An Introduction to T. Saxon!

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My name is Thomas Saxon, for obvious reasons often called Saxon whilst studying or in an area where there are too many Thomas’ or Toms.

I am a postgraduate from the University of York, where I undertook a Medieval Studies course. Previously I had completed an undergraduate from the University of Winchester, where I had studied History and the Medieval World.

My academic focus has always been fairly split – primarily, it has focused overall on cultural history and archaeology, with a specific focus on the intersection of culture and politics, along with a healthy application of legal theory and praxis to understanding a cultural framework, and how all of those forces interact to shape and form each other.

The split comes primarily in both era and location; my two primary study areas have been on the Anglo-Saxon era, especially the period from the “Great Heathen Army” to the conquest of England by Knutr Svegnsson. In this sphere I have tended to focus on the usage of the formal and informal legalities of communities and imposed central royal authority, buttressed by the cultural production and control of cultural discourse such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles as well as the translation work and educational reforms undertaken by the Cerdicings (often framed as the Benedictine Reform) to create the notion of a unified centralised kingdom that had an aura of ancient and inevitability whilst placing the Cerdicings at the centre of the emerging kingdom, with such actors as Emma-Æþelgifu attempting to create their own space within such a sphere and indeed divert said sphere to their own purposes.

The other main area of contemplation is that of the “Byzantine Empire” (truly called the Roman Empire, Basileia ton Rhomaion), especially under the Komnenian dynasty. Here I have similarly looked at the centrifugal forces of politics, culture, and legality, but combined in this case with identity and with military reality also becoming a factor. In particular, especially in my undergraduate dissertation, I focused on the recreation of the Empire and the oikoumene, and the Emperor’s place in it, under Alexios I Komnenos and his son Ioannes II. This incorporated a large overview of the cultural position of the Empire and its view points before the cataclysm of the wars against the Seljuk Turks and the reality by the time of the writings of Anna Komnene. I have also had interests in other areas, such as Norse studies, especially looking at the cross cultural exchange with the Anglo Saxon and Roman worlds.

I grew up in two relatively poorer areas, which always made me question why certain areas were poorer and others richer. It also made me question the narratives given to me, especially about historical determinism which in British academia we often label Whiggish history. I came to my love of all things medieval through medievalism, specifically that of the legendarium of Tolkien and his expanded works, which naturally led to an exploration of his scholarly works. I also developed a love of historical games, starting with Creative Assembly’s Total War series, but quickly progressing to the impressively deep offerings from Paradox Interactive, especially Crusader Kings 2. Supported by some wonderful teachers I eventually had the confidence to do well in school, leading to eventually becoming the first member of my family as far as I am aware to enter university in 2013, choosing Winchester as one of the few undergraduate courses that offered a medieval history course.

Whilst there I developed many long lasting relationships, and created and developed many skills and methodologies that I am still deeply grateful for. I also furthered and fully acknowledged my love of languages, especially learning and comparing them, found through my study of Old English, Old Norse, Latin, medieval Greek, German, Russian, and other languages. This is a passion and love that I took on to my time in York, where I met many people that I truly believe will be the next generation of scholars to admire and read, as well as meeting many of the mentors and tutors of my undergraduate mentors and tutors in a slightly amusing twist.

Whilst there is a mountain more that could be said, I will adjourn for now for fear of the word count, and a belief that it will be demonstrated by the work I will undertake for this blog.

Kindest regards,

Thomas Saxon þ

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