Erik Wade on the global origins of sex and race in English literature

Erik Wade tells us about the global origins of the ideas of sex and race in early English literature and language. We hear about Alfred the Great and his search for ‘books most needful to know’, and the need to work across text and images to understand this period. Erik’s discussion of art history includes surprising truths about the sexiness of hares, and stresses the importance of queer possibility over straight(forward) certainty. Islamic armies, Viking boats and a Cadbury’s Creme Egg all make surprising appearances.