Forsyth, K. (2020) Protecting a Pict?: Further thoughts on the inscribed silver chape from St Ninian’s Isle, Shetland. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 149, pp. 249-276. (doi: 10.9750/PSAS.149.1294)
Text
222539.pdf - Accepted Version 455kB |
Abstract
A detailed discussion of the inscription on the silver chape (NMS FC 282) discovered in 1958 as part of a large hoard of silver from the major early medieval ecclesiastical site on St Ninian’s Isle, Shetland (NGR: HU 3685 2090). Previous interpretations and a range of parallels are explored. A new interpretation of the inscription is proposed: that it contains a Pictish male personal name, Resad. This has implications for previous arguments in favour of an Anglo-Saxon origin for the metalwork. Features of the lettering previously interpreted as errors are instead argued to indicate familiarity with the type of cursive writing used on wax-tablets, rather than bookhand. It is argued that the inscription was designed and manufactured by a single literate artisan, possibly in an ecclesiastical workshop.
Item Type: | Articles |
---|---|
Keywords: | Epigraphy, onomastics, Pictish, Anglo-Saxon, literacy, palaeography. |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Forsyth, Professor Katherine |
Authors: | Forsyth, K. |
Subjects: | C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CN Inscriptions. Epigraphy. D History General and Old World > DA Great Britain P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics |
College/School: | College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Celtic and Gaelic |
Journal Name: | Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |
Journal Abbr.: | Proc Soc Antiq Scot |
Publisher: | Society of Antiquaries of Scotland |
ISSN: | 0081-1564 |
ISSN (Online): | 2056-743X |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2020 The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and The Author |
First Published: | First published in Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 149: 249-276 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record