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The Anglo-Saxon World

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The Anglo-Saxon period, stretching from the fifth to the late eleventh century, begins with the Roman retreat from the Western world and ends with the Norman takeover of England. Between these epochal events, many of the contours and patterns of English life that would endure for the next millennium were shaped. In this authoritative work, N. J. Higham and M. J. Ryan reexamine Anglo-Saxon England in the light of new research in disciplines as wide ranging as historical genetics, paleobotany, archaeology, literary studies, art history, and numismatics. The result is the definitive introduction to the Anglo-Saxon world.

The Anglo-Saxon period witnessed the birth of the English people, the establishment of Christianity, and the development of the English language. With an extraordinary cast of characters (Alfred the Great, the Venerable Bede, King Cnut), a long list of artistic and cultural achievements (Beowulf, the Sutton Hoo ship-burial finds, the Bayeux Tapestry), and multiple dramatic events (the Viking invasions, the Battle of Hastings), the Anglo-Saxon era lays legitimate claim to having been one of the most important in Western history.

©2013 Nicholas J. Higham and Martin J. Ryan (P)2022 Tantor Ancient Europe Great Britain Medieval England Western Europe Middle Ages Viking
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I have read many books on the subject and this stands there with the very best. History combined with plenty of archaeological evidence serves to fascinate throughout the book.

Thumbs up to the narration too.

A most worthy addition to your history library

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I don’t think this is a bad book. However, it is an academic text centred on discussing issues of sources and interpretation of the history of Anglo Saxon England. You will need some acquaintance with the basic outline of the period. It is not a narrative history and I feel it’s best read rather than listened to.

Interesting but very difficult to follow on audio

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This is far from a narrative history, so if that's what you're expecting, look elsewhere. Instead, it's a chronological exploration of what we know, can know, and how we know it from the fall of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest. This contains a narrative, but focuses far more on how much we can trust that narrative, based on the sources (including archaeological ones). It would have been very useful to have when I was studying this back at A-level...

This makes it a superb counter to the Max Adams school of early English history, where thick books of speculation are woven out of sparse evidence to create engaging narratives that are more works of fiction than history. It also makes it an amusing read after watching the likes of The Last Kingdom or Vikings, with all the historical liberties they take.

Given how unclear it all is, TBH I found myself appreciating these more speculative accounts of the period even more. Hell, I may even go back to Max Adams, having previously given up in frustration at how little support there was for most of what he was writing about in The King in the North and The First Kingdom.

A genuinely excellent introduction

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Not really for the general listener. Very dry. Lots of references Undoubtedly would work better as a hard copy reference book. I had to give up after a couple of hours.

Suited for degree student better as hard copy

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