Anglo-Norman Attitudes: Cross-Channel Antiquarianism in the Romantic Age

In the aftermath of the French Revolution the nature and meaning of history were reconsidered all across Europe. Between England, Scotland and France, however, there was a particularly fertile period of collaboration which two decades of war did nothing to inhibit. French antiquaries took refuge in Britain and the British made daring excursions to the Continent. The rediscovery of the architecture of the Middle Ages, the restoration of the Bayeux Tapestry and the salvaging of many art works that had fallen victim to revolutionary iconoclasm were among the fruits of these years. With peace, however, relations became more strained as the English, the Scots and the French began to diverge in their understanding and use of the past.

Image: Caroline de Berry sailing into from exile from France to Scotland in 1830.  Artist unknown.