Judith A. Green (2) (1947–)
Author of The Normans: Power, Conquest and Culture in 11th Century Europe
For other authors named Judith A. Green, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Judith A. Green is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh. She is the author of The Government of England under Henry I (1986) and The Aristocracy of Norman England (1997) and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Works by Judith A. Green
Associated Works
The Haskins Society journal : studies in medieval history. Volume 10, 2001 (2002) — Contributor — 5 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1947-08-05
- Gender
- female
- Education
- King's College, London
University of Oxford (Somerville) - Occupations
- professor
historian
medieval historian
medievalist
biographer - Organizations
- University of Edinburgh
Queen's University, Belfast - Short biography
- Judith A. Green is an English medieval historian, specializing in the Anglo-Norman era. She is a graduate of King's College, London and the University of Oxford. She held a research fellowship and then a lectureship at the University of St. Andrews before transferring to the faculty of Queen's University, Belfast. There she became a reader and eventually professor. In 2005, she became professor of Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, and retired in 2011. Her notable books include The Government of England Under Henry I (1986), The Aristocracy of Norman England (1997), and Henry I, King of England and Duke of Normandy (2006).
- Nationality
- UK
- Associated Place (for map)
- UK
Members
Reviews
Last year, when I was reading Trevor Rowley's "The Normans," I came away somewhat dissatisfied with Rowley's dated narrative style, and having further questions I wished that I had a more contemporary treatment at hand. I was therefor delighted to discover that Green's examination of the topic was out, and moved that to the head of the TBR queue. Unfortunately, I'm still left with some basic questions after reading this monograph.
Here's the thing, Prof. Green's real agenda seems to be the show more dismantling of the mystique various Norman rulers built for themselves, and critiquing the sources that have been left for us; not adding to the mystique. However, Green has to admit that, in their prime, the Normans generally did win their battles. This is unless they were just faced with insurmountable numbers, and some times not even then; victory does have a way of generating its own mystique. As for the questions I had about the sources of Norman military art, Green tends to emphasize a knack for logistics, but does make one passing observation that Norman armies do seem to have been more willing to trust in the full-fledged cavalry charge than most of their competition; again, the most romantic of all military maneuvers.
On the plus side, I was given food for thought when it came to Norman political maneuvering, but this really isn't a book with for the general reader, and they still might be happier reading Rowley or J.J. Norwich. show less
Here's the thing, Prof. Green's real agenda seems to be the show more dismantling of the mystique various Norman rulers built for themselves, and critiquing the sources that have been left for us; not adding to the mystique. However, Green has to admit that, in their prime, the Normans generally did win their battles. This is unless they were just faced with insurmountable numbers, and some times not even then; victory does have a way of generating its own mystique. As for the questions I had about the sources of Norman military art, Green tends to emphasize a knack for logistics, but does make one passing observation that Norman armies do seem to have been more willing to trust in the full-fledged cavalry charge than most of their competition; again, the most romantic of all military maneuvers.
On the plus side, I was given food for thought when it came to Norman political maneuvering, but this really isn't a book with for the general reader, and they still might be happier reading Rowley or J.J. Norwich. show less
I will preface this review by saying - reader beware.! This is not a casual and cursory look at the Normans that will appeal to the general masses; it is a more focused narrative that assumes that you - the reader - have done your due diligence and a sufficient enough grasp of the topic at hand to absorb the information contained therein.
The focus of Green's book is the Normans and their activities as related to a specific time period - the 11th Century - and is narrowed down to particular show more theatres of war - England, Normandy, Byzantium, Sicily & Southern Italy, Antioch & the Holy Land. It is also a look at how contemporary writers and chroniclers viewed them as well as their own perceptions of self.
Green notes that 11th Century Europe was swarming with armed men who for for wealth, land and prestige. So what made this particular group that much more successful than others - this is what is explored. Green includes a number of prominent families in her narrative, as well as some much lesser ones (which are the ones I am always on the look out for).
Their legacy, in the form of conquest, assimilation, government, religious and cultural developments, and their all important art of warfare are covered off. Green notes that they were - in essence - "... ruthless opportunists [who] were able to change the political history of Europe ...".
This is definitely one for my own library shelves, and my own personal collection of Norman literature.
see fuller review here @ Melisende's Library show less
The focus of Green's book is the Normans and their activities as related to a specific time period - the 11th Century - and is narrowed down to particular show more theatres of war - England, Normandy, Byzantium, Sicily & Southern Italy, Antioch & the Holy Land. It is also a look at how contemporary writers and chroniclers viewed them as well as their own perceptions of self.
Green notes that 11th Century Europe was swarming with armed men who for for wealth, land and prestige. So what made this particular group that much more successful than others - this is what is explored. Green includes a number of prominent families in her narrative, as well as some much lesser ones (which are the ones I am always on the look out for).
Their legacy, in the form of conquest, assimilation, government, religious and cultural developments, and their all important art of warfare are covered off. Green notes that they were - in essence - "... ruthless opportunists [who] were able to change the political history of Europe ...".
This is definitely one for my own library shelves, and my own personal collection of Norman literature.
see fuller review here @ Melisende's Library show less
Confusing at times. Having read the books written by John Julius Norwich and Marc Morris on the Normans and books on Bohemond, I bought this book following a review on a podcast. I hoped it would add to my knowledge but at times I found myself frustrated by what appeared to be a lack of attention to detail. I keep having to re-read sections to check that I have confused a son with a nephew or Peter Bartholomew with Peter the Hermit. The premise of the book appears to be just how influential show more were the Normans, who were they but what did they achieve? The book achieves this but in my opinion, not terribly well. I have nearly given up on it several times. A real pity as the author has put a lot of effort into the research but.... show less
For me, that fact the I own a copy is testimony to that fact that I really enjoyed this one. Green is rather a good source for Henry I - so definitely recommended reading.
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