Gavin Smith

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MA in Geography, Toronto 1969. Particular interest in the application of social science models to early English place-names.
Address: Bristol, England, United Kingdom

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Robert Briggs

Independent Researcher

Oxford Archaeology

Canterbury Christ Church University

Jeremy Hodgkinson

Thomas Birch

Moesgaard

Nick Higham

The University of Manchester

Andy Margetts

University College London

Stuart Brookes

University College London

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Drafts by Gavin Smith

Social Systems Analysis and English Place-Names. Maps.

Known instances of Old English ge place-names (modern version). Ditto waru, and windels/wendels.... more

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SOCIAL SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND ENGLISH PLACE-NAMES: THE EXAMPLE OF THE CULTURAL HEGEMONIES OF KINGS AETHELBERHT, RAEDWALD AND SIGEBERHT

This paper applies social systems analysis to toponymy more explicitly than is customary. Part 1 ... more This paper applies social systems analysis to toponymy more explicitly than is customary. Part 1 evaluates toponymy as a social science, and identifies English toponymy's often unstated assumptions. An illustrative set of alternative paradigms is suggested. The rigour of existing toponymical methodologies is touched upon, looking specifically at non-randomness and geographical pattern. Some standard social science concepts are then briefly described. Part 2 illustrates the application of these concepts in a worked example: to the supposed 'folk-names'-ingas and-waru, plus-gē a supposed 'district' name. These memes are re-interpreted as associated with two distinct ecclesiastical hegemonies: those of king AEthelberht of Kent c.610 AD, and of the mid-seventh-century Christian kings of East Anglia. The intervening part-pagan hegemony of Raedwald of East Anglia is also considered. Some implications are outlined, including the phenomena of 'meme sequences' and place-name 'fixing'. The paper concludes with a tentative reworking of traditional tenets.

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Papers by Gavin Smith

WHAT HAPPENED IN SURREY IN LATE ANTIQUITY?

An investigation into the possible social processes of continuity in Surrey between Roman to medi... more An investigation into the possible social processes of continuity in Surrey between Roman to medieval times, covering the economy, political entities, estates, road networks, place-names and settlements. It is concluded that cultural and social continuity probably did occur, albeit at reduced intensity, via a number of social processes within a largely unchanged population but with immigrant new elites.

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