Exhumation and Ethnic Conflict: From St. Erkenwald to Spenser in Ireland

• Published in: Representations (Berkeley, Calif.) Vol. 95; no. 1; pp. 1 - 26
• Main Author: SCHWYZER, PHILIP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berkeley University of California Press 01.08.2006; University of California Press Books Division
• Subjects: Antiquarianism; Archaeological paradigms; Archaeology; Christianity; Early Modern English; England; Ethnic Conflict; Excavations; Exhumation; Historical text analysis; Holy relics; Human remains; Ireland; Irish English; Irish poetry; Language history; Literature; Memory; Middle Ages; Native peoples; Poetry; Spenser, Edmund (1552?-1599); England; Ireland

ABSTRACT This essay explores a range of medieval and early modern English texts, including the alliterative poemSt. Erkenwaldand Edmund Spenser'sFaerie Queene and View of the Present State of Ireland, inwhich the remains of subjugated peoples are exhumed and subsequently made to disappear. Thes...