Call for Papers: “Medieval Onomastics: Crisis or Stasis?” (Leeds, 1-4 July 2024)

From Tristan Alphey:

Onomastics, the study of names and naming, has long proved popular with medievalists. This CfP seeks to explore the interaction between onomastics and the theme of this year’s conference – Crisis. We’re looking for 20-minute papers on the role of names and naming within the medieval period, from any geographical region. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

  • Change in naming practices (or lack thereof) as a result of periods of social/cultural/economic change. This might look at philological change, change in distribution (by gender, race, socio-economic group etc.), change in the rituals of naming.
  • The renaming of an individual, during their life or in their remembrance.
  • The interaction between time, place names and the (built) environment.
  • Crises within the discipline of medieval onomastics, new approaches in the study of onomastics, and the role of interdisciplinary thinking.

Please submit an abstract of no more than 200 words and a short biography including academic affiliation and contact details to the email address below. Deadline: 15th September 2023.