The Anglo-Saxons
by James Campbell, Eric John, Patrick Wormald
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Description
In this major survey, three distinguished historians produce an exciting introduction to the field. Although the "Lost Centuries" between AD400 and 600 suffer from a scarcity of written sources, and only two writers, King Alfred and the Venerable Bede, dominate our understanding of later times, the authors have created a rich and thought-provoking account of the stormy era when Britain became Christian and sustained several waves of Viking invaders. A single nation, they suggest, slowly show more emerged from the rivalries and fluctuating fortunes of separate kingdoms like Mercia, Wessex and East Anglia. Major figures such as Offa, Alfred, Edgar and Cnut are discussed in detail, while the stunning illustrations convey the immense achievements of Anglo-Saxon centuries were 'simply a barbarous prelude to better things'. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
An excellent synthesis of scholarship and accessibility. Notable for its breadth of sources, particular reference to artefacts which survive from the period.
Lavishly illustrated account of the Anglo-Saxon age in England with an emphasis on how much we don't know about the course of events and how narrow the thread by which what do know hangs.
The Penguin History of the Anglo-Saxons was very informative. James Campbell, and his fellow colleagues, wrote extensively about the political, economic, and religious enhancements that the Anglo-Saxons are attributed to during their 600 year long occupation in Britain. From the decline of the Roman Empire (and their presence in Britain) the Britons had to turn to the Germanic mercenaries of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes for protection from the hoards of Picts and Scots from Scotland. After their welcome to Britain, those Germanic tribes settled and intermingled in with the local community. It took roughly 200 years for the Anglo-Saxons to "get on their feet" (so to speak) but eventually, Britain became a bustling center for trade and show more respect. Even the great Charlemagne wrote letters to the king of Mercia, Offa, to discuss their successful trade ventures. The Vikings, which should not be characterized as a barbarous hoard -- we really only have the written accounts of the churchmen they attacked because the Vikings were largely illiterate. With the Vikings, Britain became united under Alfred (king of Northumbria) and everything started to become much what we know of -- at least until the Norman invasion in 1066. That really ended the Anglo-Saxon era. What happened to them? Most died in the Battle of Hastings, others died in rebellions, some moved up north to Scotland, or some just left the country entirely. But regardless of them leaving, the Anglo-Saxons really brought Britain back from the brink of despair (which was caused by the Romans up and abandoning them) and transformed it into a thriving community. show less
A great introduction to Anglo-Saxon history and archeology.
NOTES; BIBLIOGRAPHY; INDEX
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Patrick Wormald is a college tutor and university lecturer at Christ Church, Oxford. He was previously a lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Glasgow and a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
Awards and Honors
Series
Belongs to Publisher Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Anglo-Saxons
- Original publication date
- 1982
- People/Characters
- Anglo Saxons
- Important places
- England, UK
- Important events
- Anglo Saxon period
- First words
- Roman rule in Britain began in AD 43 and ended in about 410.
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Anthropology, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 942.01 — History & geography History of Europe England and Wales England Anglo-Saxon B.C. 55 - A.D. 1066
- LCC
- DA152 .C28 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Great Britain History of Great Britain England History By period Early and medieval to 1485 Celts. Romans. Saxons. Danes. Normans
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 704
- Popularity
- 40,210
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (3.98)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 5
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 1
