The History of English Podcast: Episode 62 – Flesh and Blood

Release Date: May 11, 2015
Host: Kevin Stroud
Title: Flesh and Blood
Description: The Spoken History of a Global Language

Introduction: The Dual Theme of Flesh and Blood

In Episode 62 of The History of English Podcast, titled "Flesh and Blood," host Kevin Stroud delves into a pivotal period in English history, focusing on the tumultuous years following the death of King Cnut in 1035. Stroud beautifully intertwines the literal and metaphorical interpretations of "flesh and blood," exploring both the dynastic struggles for the English throne and the evolution of Old English terminology related to the human body and disease.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "The underlying theme of this episode is flesh and blood, and we'll explore both senses of that term."

Part 1: The Succession Crisis After Cnut’s Death

The Power Vacuum and Claimants to the Throne

King Cnut's death left a significant power vacuum in England, with five potential heirs vying for the throne. The primary contenders stemmed from two bloodlines:

1. Emma of Normandy’s Children:

   • Alfred and Edward: Sons from Emma’s marriage to the pre-Cnut Anglo-Saxon King Aethelred the Unready. They hailed from a half-English, half-Norman lineage and had been exiled to Normandy during their father's reign.
   • Harthacnut: Emma's son with Cnut, positioned as the designated heir but was preoccupied with ruling Denmark due to conflicts with Norway.

2. Canute’s Other Sons:

   • Harold Harefoot: Son from Cnut's first marriage to Algufu, a Mercian noble's daughter.
   • Sweyn: Also from Cnut’s first marriage, but he had died around the time of Cnut’s passing, eliminating him from contention.

With Sweyn’s death, the focus narrowed to four heirs, all of whom faced significant challenges in claiming the English throne.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "With Cnut's death, there was a major question as to which bloodline would continue."

Emma’s Role as a Kingmaker

Emma of Normandy emerged as a central figure, holding influence over three potential heirs. Her strategic marriages linked her to both the Norman and Scandinavian royal lines, positioning her as a pivotal kingmaker. However, logistical challenges—such as Harthacnut's entanglements in Denmark and Alfred and Edward's exile—complicated her efforts to secure the throne for her children.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "Emma was the one link between the claims of the Normans, the Anglo Saxons and the Scandinavians."

The Witan's Decision and Harold Harefoot’s Ascendancy

The Witan, a council of prominent nobles and church leaders, convened to resolve the succession. Influenced by strategic alliances:

• Harold Harefoot garnered support from Mercian Earl Leofric, embodying the local English support due to his upbringing in Mercia.
• Harthacnut was backed by Godwin, the influential Earl of Wessex, aligning with Emma's initial preferences.

The Witan’s compromise aimed to split England, granting Harold control over Mercia and northern regions while Harthacnut would oversee Wessex. However, as Harthacnut remained in Denmark due to ongoing conflicts, Harold began consolidating power, ultimately positioning himself as the sole King of England by 1037.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "Harold no longer just claimed to be the king of the area north of the Thames. He now claimed to be king of all of England."

The Tragic Fate of Alfred and the Shift in Power

Emma’s faction faced a devastating blow when Alfred, one of her sons from Aethelred, returned to England, likely influenced by a contentious letter purportedly from Emma. Instead of securing support, Alfred was brutally murdered—blinded and left to die—enforcing Harold’s dominance.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "Alfred was a common punishment at the time, especially for those who challenged a king’s power."

Part 2: Linguistic Exploration of "Flesh and Blood"

Old English Anatomy: Words for the Human Body

Stroud transitions to a fascinating exploration of Old English vocabulary related to the human body, highlighting the linguistic resilience of core English words:

• Head: hevod
• Eye: eja
• Ear: era
• Nose: nosu
• Mouth: muth
• Neck: hneka or hals (with Norse influence introducing neck)
• Arm, Hand, Finger, Heart, Lung, Liver, Rib, Bone: All retain Old English origins.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "Most of our basic words for body parts can be traced back to Old English."

Old English Terms for Disease and Their Evolution

Stroud delves deeper into Old English terms for ailments, showcasing how language evolves while retaining ancient roots:

• Disease: odle (adl), saucnus (sickness)
• Paralysis: luftado (lifting disease), lama (lame)
• Cripple: creepler (creeper)
• Fever: Borrowed from Latin post-Christian missionary influence
• Elf Disease: elf shot (nightmares caused by elves)

He illustrates how these terms connect to modern English words, emphasizing the intertwined nature of language and cultural perceptions of health and the body.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "The Anglo Saxons blamed lots of problems on malicious elves. They even thought elves caused nightmares."

The Indo-European Roots Linking Body and Environment

A significant portion of the episode examines the common Indo-European roots that link words describing the human body with those describing environmental phenomena like fire and smoke:

• Expansion/Swelling: blow, ball, balloon, bloom, belly, bladder, bloat, bollocks, phallus, flatulence, blood.
• Fire/Smoke: blind, blaze, bleach, blank, blonde, blemish, dust, dizzy, daze, typhus.

Stroud discusses theories on whether these words originated from homonymous roots or a single progenitor, suggesting that the latter may be more plausible due to the conceptual similarity of expansion in both contexts.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "All of those words having to do with the human condition may have originated with a group of early Indo Europeans setting around a fire."

Part 3: The Rise and Fall of Harthacnut

Harthacnut’s Ascension and Missteps

In 1040, Harthacnut finally returned from Denmark, claiming the English throne and avenging his half-brother Alfred by desecrating his body. Despite his initial support from Godwin, Harthacnut's reign was marred by heavy taxation and unpopular policies, leading to economic decline and rebellion, notably in Worcester.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "Harthacnut detested Harold for killing his half-brother Alfred and for sending his mother Emma into exile."

Harthacnut’s Premature Death and Edward’s Rise

Harthacnut's reign was abruptly ended in 1042 when he died suddenly, likely from a stroke induced by heavy drinking. This event paved the way for Edward the Confessor, son of Aethelred and Emma, to ascend the throne, restoring the Wessex bloodline. Edward’s reign marked the end of the Old English period, leading into the Norman era.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "With his coronation, the Wessex bloodline was restored to the throne, at least temporarily."

Conclusion: Lingering Linguistic and Historical Connections

Stroud adeptly ties the historical narrative back to his dual theme, illustrating how linguistic evolutions reflect and influence cultural and political shifts. The episode closes by setting the stage for Edward the Confessor’s reign and the impending Norman Conquest, which would irrevocably alter the English language and its history.

Notable Quote:
[00:09] Kevin Stroud: "Next time, we'll explore restorations and remedies, and we'll conclude with the death of Edward in 1066, a death which triggered an invasion from Normandy."

Key Takeaways

• Flesh and Blood Theme: A clever exploration of both familial dynastic struggles and the linguistic heritage of Old English related to the human body.
• Historical Context: Detailed examination of the succession crisis post-Cnut’s death, highlighting key figures like Emma of Normandy, Harold Harefoot, and Harthacnut.
• Linguistic Insights: Deep dive into Old English terminology for body parts and diseases, showcasing the language’s resilience and evolution.
• Indo-European Roots: Analysis of the shared linguistic roots between words describing the body and environmental phenomena.
• Transition to Middle English: The episode effectively bridges the Old English period with the upcoming Norman Conquest, foreshadowing significant linguistic and cultural shifts.

Listeners who are keen on understanding the intricate ties between language and history will find Episode 62 of The History of English Podcast both informative and engaging. Kevin Stroud masterfully interweaves political history with linguistic evolution, providing a comprehensive view of a transformative era in English history.