Publications
The World of the Changing Coastline, by Jill Eddison, published 18 June 1979 (144 pp., Faber and Faber, ISBN-10: 0571113761 & ISBN-13: 9780571113767)
Romney Marsh: Evolution, Occupation, Reclamation, by Jill Eddison and Christopher Green, published 1 January 1989 (204 pp., Oxford University School of Archaeology, ISBN-10: 0947816240 & ISBN-13: 9780947816247) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/500168] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:Romney Marsh lies at the frontier between land and sea. It consists entirely of land gained from the sea, and being below the level of high tides, has always been threatened by flooding. Four ports now stranded miles from the sea and another lost to the sea bear witness to great changes in the coastline. The book charts the history of human occupation of a very specialized and difficult environment over the last 2000 years. Advances were made when both environmental and economic conditions were favorable. But when difficulties became insuperable, especially in Roman times and again in the 13th century, the inhabitants retreated. The struggle for survival continues, and the book concludes with the challenges facing the 21st century.
The Impact of Marshland Drainage on Rye Harbour, 1550-1650, by S. Hipkin and J. Eddison, published 1995 in Oxford University Committee for Archaeology monograph (vol. 41, article, pp.138-)
Romney Marsh: The Debatable Ground, edited by Jill Eddison, published 1 June 1995 (174 pp., Oxford University School of Archaeology, ISBN-10: 0947816410 & ISBN-13: 9780947816414) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/500169] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:These papers chart the evolution, occupation and reclamation of perhaps the least known of England's southern wetlands including Denge Beach and Denge Marsh, Brede valley and the tidal marshes at Belgar, Lydd.
Romney Marsh: Environmental Change and Human Occupation in a Coastal Lowland , by Jill Eddison, Mark Gardiner and Anthony Long, published 1 December 1998 (220 pp., Oxford University School of Archaeology, ISBN-10: 0947816461 & ISBN-13: 9780947816469) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/500170]
Abstract:Twelve papers exploring the development of Romney Marsh, a spit of land battered by some of Britain's stormiest seas. Topics range from the physical evolution and sediment layers to landscape transformation in late medieval and early modern times, and malarial trends. There are four papers on geomorphological developments, one about field archaeology and seven historical entries
Romney Marsh: Survival on a Frontier, by Jill Eddison, published 2000 (176 pp., Stroud: Tempus Publishing Ltd., ISBN-10: 0752414860 & ISBN-13: 9780752414867) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/500167] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Abstract:It brings together the recent work of archaeologists, historians and geographers, and presents an up-to-date interpretation of the area. With numerous illustrations (many in full colour), this book will delight and inform anyone interested in Romney Marsh - or in changing coastlines or sea levels.
Medieval Pirates: Pirates, Raiders and Privateers 1204-1453, by Jill Eddison, published 2 September 2013 (192 pp., The History Press, ISBN-10: 0752481037 & ISBN-13: 9780752481036) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/508963] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Review by Richard Saville in Sussex Past & Present no. 132, April 2014:On coasts and in the ports of the Channel from the western approaches to Flanders Jill Eddison explains the potential for plunder, piracy and ship wrecking during the 250 years from 1204 to 1453. Early chapters guide us through the background and potential for conflict, describing the potential for loot from the medieval trade in Spanish iron, continental wines and salts, English wools, Cornish tin, and a host of rich clothes, tableware, furniture, and gradually, via the Genoese and Venetian merchants, the foodstuffs and medicines from Byzantium. The chapter on the evolution of shipbuilding gives a clear view of how the medieval mind grappled with boat design. Also how mariners hugged the islands and coasts which offered havens from Atlantic lows and the resulting storms, sailing without barometers, and utilising the experience of numerous voyages.
Fractured government during this era meant authority in ports was mediated by local merchants, their corporations, the barons, and the social strata sailing the boats; within which the consequent fluctuations between the power of local and national government gave space to privateering, piracy, ship wrecking and the plunder of ships seeking shelter from storms. The natural world added its woes and a social strata of mariners and townsmen emerged on both sides of the Channel, contemptuous of royal authority, a strata at once cruel and vicious, with little regard to ordinary sailors and folk ashore.
One is faced with legal and government evidence that numerous atrocities were committed by many in the south coast ports, especially by Cinque portsmen. This was certainly evident in times when kings declared war against France and Spain, though between such episodes the long stretches of uncertain conditions encouraged the portsmen to think only of themselves, to oppose regal authority when it suited, to attack supposed enemies, neutral shipping, and fishermen seen as competitors.
This book includes much material on the Cinque ports, which by the thirteenth century had morphed from basic trade and fishing communities into a cartel for looting ships, for attacking other ports, lounging around the Channel as a bandetti with piracy covered by the royal seal, conducting feuds both at home and abroad. Such warfare for self-interest, together with the royal claims to western France, leaves us a mass of useful archives.
This readable book is lavishly illustrated including 25 black and white drawings, photographs and well drawn maps, plus 15 colour photographs. Marcus Rediker's Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea drew our attention to the Caribbean pirates, and Jill Eddison's work will give a new focus to the history of our medieval channel, with its quite different social norms and cultures from the more civilised Europe of the early modern world.
Fractured government during this era meant authority in ports was mediated by local merchants, their corporations, the barons, and the social strata sailing the boats; within which the consequent fluctuations between the power of local and national government gave space to privateering, piracy, ship wrecking and the plunder of ships seeking shelter from storms. The natural world added its woes and a social strata of mariners and townsmen emerged on both sides of the Channel, contemptuous of royal authority, a strata at once cruel and vicious, with little regard to ordinary sailors and folk ashore.
One is faced with legal and government evidence that numerous atrocities were committed by many in the south coast ports, especially by Cinque portsmen. This was certainly evident in times when kings declared war against France and Spain, though between such episodes the long stretches of uncertain conditions encouraged the portsmen to think only of themselves, to oppose regal authority when it suited, to attack supposed enemies, neutral shipping, and fishermen seen as competitors.
This book includes much material on the Cinque ports, which by the thirteenth century had morphed from basic trade and fishing communities into a cartel for looting ships, for attacking other ports, lounging around the Channel as a bandetti with piracy covered by the royal seal, conducting feuds both at home and abroad. Such warfare for self-interest, together with the royal claims to western France, leaves us a mass of useful archives.
This readable book is lavishly illustrated including 25 black and white drawings, photographs and well drawn maps, plus 15 colour photographs. Marcus Rediker's Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea drew our attention to the Caribbean pirates, and Jill Eddison's work will give a new focus to the history of our medieval channel, with its quite different social norms and cultures from the more civilised Europe of the early modern world.