Northern Hist 4

Studies by Jolliffe and Rees have already indicated some striking parallelisms between certain institutions in Wales and in Northern England in the post-Conquest period. More work is needed on the earlier history and inter-relationship of these institutions, notably the duties of tenants (whether noble or unfree) to provide tributes in kind, hospitality services and the like, to the lord. Such customs are found not only in Wales and Northern England but also in SE/Central Scotland and the Isle of Man, although the names for them differ from one region to another. Also notable is the survival, sometimes into 13th century and in all strata of Northern society, of Celtic, Scandinavian and Anglian personal names. A largely conservative area of dispersed settlements grouped loosely into shires (ie lordship units), the North could on occasion bend its ancient customs to suit new needs, and was by no means remote from central government, or from other parts of Britain.