Christian Celts
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In the last century of Roman Britain, four key elements converged: Latin, the British language, a growing Christianity, and an educational legacy that included a form of Latin composition known as 'Biblical style.' This style, prevalent in Britain and other Western provinces, was notably reinforced around 420 by Jerome's Vulgate. By 500, it persisted in the Celtic West—South-west Scotland, Wales, and South-west England—manifesting in Latin memorials carved in stone. While these inscriptions may appear crude, some reveal a sophistication uncovered by recent 'intellectual archaeology' studies. They can be seen as structured writings that adhere to recoverable rules, often allusive and occasionally cryptic, containing hidden words and names. Remarkably, some inscriptions evoke mental images, functioning almost as visual representations. This tradition was especially prominent in Wales, where an educated Christian elite viewed themselves as the intellectual defenders of Celtic British culture against the encroaching Germanic heathens in what is now England. Professor Thomas's study offers a comprehensive exploration of these Celtic 'codes,' challenging existing perceptions of 'The Dark Ages' and enriching our understanding of post-Roman Britain's cultural legacy.
