Description

Richly illustrated, this title describes Anglo-Saxon monarchs, warlords and their warriors and households in Anglo-Saxon Britain, from the first post-Roman mercenaries to the Norman Conquest.

In a country fragmented by Roman withdrawal during the 5th century AD, the employment of Germanic mercenaries by local rulers in Anglo-Saxon Britain was commonplace. These mercenaries became settlers, forcing Romano-British communities into Wales and the West Country. Against a background of spreading Christianity, the struggles of rival British and Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were exploited by the Vikings, but eventually contained by the Anglo-Saxon king, Alfred of Wessex. His descendants unified the country during the 10th century, however, subsequent weak rule saw its 25-year incorporation into a Danish empire before it finally fell to the Norman invasion of 1066.

Scholars of the early Church have long known that the term 'Dark Ages' for the 5th to 11th centuries in Britain refers only to a lack of written sources, and gives a false impression of material culture. The Anglo-Saxon warrior elite were equipped with magnificent armour, influenced by the cultures of the late Romans, the Scandinavian Vendel people, the Frankish Merovingians, Carolingians and Ottonians, and also the Vikings.

In this volume, co-authors Raffaele D'Amato and Stephen Pollington access their extended knowledge to paint a vivid picture of the kings and warlords of the time with the aid of colour illustrations, rare photos and the latest archaeological research.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
CHRONOLOGY
KINGS AND WARLORDS
– Household warriors: Werod, Comitatus and Huskarla
– Character and roles of the Anglo-Saxon elite
– Arms and equipment: defensive equipment – helmets, body armour, shields; offensive equipment – axes, swords, knives, spears and javelins; other equipment: clothing – horse equipment – standards and flags
– Representative major battles: Cathraeth, c.600 AD; Edington, 878 AD; Brunanburgh, 991 AD; Maldon, 991 AD
PLATE COMMENTARIES
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

Product details

Published Oct 26 2023
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 64
ISBN 9781472855367
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 8 colour artwork plates; black & white and colour photographs and illustrations.
Series Elite
Short code ELI 253
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Raffaele D’Amato

Raffaele D'Amato, PhD, is the author of some 40 bo…

Author

Stephen Pollington

Stephen Pollington is an author and broadcaster sp…

Illustrator

Raffaele Ruggeri

Raffaele Ruggeri was born in Bologna where he stil…

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