An Introduction to Anglo-Saxon England

by Peter Hunter Blair , Introduction by Simon Keynes

• ISBN13: 9780521830850
• ISBN10: 0521830850
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-08-25
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This is a lucid, authoritative and well-balanced account of Anglo-Saxon history. The third edition includes a new introduction by Simon Keynes. Between the end of the Roman occupation and the coming of the Normans, England was settled by Germanic races; the kingdom as a political unit was created, heathenism yielded to a vigorous Christian Church, superb works of art were made, and the English language - spoken and written - took its form. These origins of the English heritage are Hunter Blair's subject. The first two chapters survey Anglo-Saxon England: its wars, its invaders, its peoples and its kings. The remaining chapters deal with specific aspects of its culture: its Church, government, economy and literary achievement. Throughout the author uses illustrations and a wide range of sources - documents, archaeological evidence and place names - to illuminate the period as a whole. For this edition, Simon Keynes has prepared a thoroughly updated bibliography.

Author Biography

Peter Hunter Blair: Formerly Reader in Anglo-Saxon History in the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Emmanuel College

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	vii
Preface to the Third Edition	x
Preface to the Second Edition	xi
Preface to the First Edition	xiii
Introduction: Changing perceptions of Anglo-Saxon history
Simon Keynes	xvii
CHAPTER I. THE FOUNDATIONS OF ENGLAND
1 The last days of Roman Britain	1	(2)
2 The enemies of Roman Britain	3	(10)
3 The Traditions about the invasions	13	(5)
4 The evidence of archaeology and place-names	18	(7)
5 Geographical factors	25	(2)
6 The kingdoms of the southern English	27	(10)
7 The northern English	37	(12)
8 Movements towards unity	49	(6)
CHAPTER II. BRITAIN AND THE VIKINGS
1 The Scandinavian background	55	(7)
2 The Norse approach to Britain	62	(5)
3 The Danish invasions	67	(8)
4 Consolidation in Wessex	75	(5)
5 The creation of the kingdom of England	80	(10)
6 Æthelred the Unready	90	(9)
7 Danish rule	99	(5)
8 Edward the Confessor and the end of the Anglo-Saxon state	104	(12)
CHAPTER III. THE CHURCH
1 St Augustine's mission	116	(4)
2 Anglo-Saxon heathenism	120	(4)
3 The Celtic mission and the conflict with Rome	124	(8)
4 The Roman triumph	132	(10)
5 The Church in early English society page	142	(20)
6 The English mission to the Continent	162	(4)
7 The Church and the Vikings	166	(7)
8 The monastic revival	173	(5)
9 The last century of the Anglo-Saxon Church	178	(16)
CHAPTER IV. GOVERNMENT
1 The rule of kings	194	(4)
2 The growth of monarchy	198	(6)
3 King and court	204	(10)
4 The king's council	214	(8)
5 Local government	222	(23)
CHAPTER V. ECONOMY
1 The country	245	(12)
2 The countryside	257	(20)
3 Town and trade Local government	277	(24)
CHAPTER VI. LETTERS
1 Language	301	(4)
2 Orthography	305	(6)
3 The growth of scholarship	311	(18)
4 Vernacular poetry	329	(21)
5 Alfred and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle	350	(6)
6 Learning in the new monasticism	356	(8)
Select Bibliography	364	(11)
Index	375