Early medieval Britain saw the birth of England, Scotland and of the Welsh kingdoms. Naismith's introductory textbook explores the period between the end of Roman rule and the eve of the Norman Conquest, blending an engaging narrative with clear explanations of key themes and sources. Using extensive illustrations, maps and selections from primary sources, students will examine the island as a collective entity, comparing political histories and institutions as well as societies, beliefs and economies. Each chapter foregrounds questions of identity and the meaning of 'Britain' in this period, encouraging interrogation and contextualisation of sources within the framework of the latest debates and problems. Featuring online resources including timelines, a glossary, end-of-chapter questions and suggestions for further reading, students can drive their own understanding of how the polities and societies of early medieval Britain fitted together and into the wider world, and firmly grasp the formative stages of British history.
- Blends an engaging narrative with explanations of key events and sources, giving students an accessible and memorable understanding of the major changes across all parts of medieval Britain
- Explains how embryonic versions of modern nations came into being, building a strong framework for students to firmly grasp the formative stages and developments of British history
- Foregrounds questions of identity and the meaning of 'Britain' in this period, encouraging students to contextualise and interrogate primary source texts and images for themselves
- Wide-ranging primary sources illustrate the concepts of each chapter, provoking discussion as students are introduced to the latest debates and problems of interpretation.
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Reviews & endorsements
'Rory Naismith adopts a refreshingly new approach to the study of early medieval Britain, which takes into account its political and cultural plurality, while also placing it in a wider European context. Comprehensive, accessible and up-to-date with the most recent historiographical developments, it will easily become a classic.' Francesca Tinti, University of the Basque Country
'Up-to-date and judiciously argued, Rory Naismith's book with its excellent illustrations, text boxes addressing detailed evidence, timelines and discussion points is an ideal teaching tool. Covering the whole of Britain, sensible to internal differences and divisions, and attentive to the local and particular alongside major developments, this is also an important new history of these early centuries.' Pauline Stafford, University of Liverpool
'This timely and refreshing textbook will challenge students' assumptions about 'Dark-Age' Britain. Eschewing the well-worn narratives that search for the national origins of England, Scotland and Wales, Rory Naismith makes a compelling case for adopting a much more holistic approach to the study of British history and taking the early medieval period on its own terms.' Edward Roberts, University of Kent
'Students and scholars have been crying out for a well-informed and enticing history of early medieval Britain, which treats the whole island rather than selected parts of it. Rory Naismith has given us precisely that. He has also produced a significant work of scholarship, for this is a wonderfully rich book, which is written with confident command of a diverse array of sources and contains many new insights as well as a lucid survey. Anyone reading it should emerge not only confidently equipped but also inspired to explore the period further.' Stephen Baxter, University of Oxford
'The design and layout of the book are extremely good: it is attractive and easy to handle, with well-chosen and intelligently placed pictures.' John Blair, Speculum
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Product details
- Date Published: September 2021
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9781108440257
- length: 490 pages
- dimensions: 242 x 173 x 23 mm
- weight: 0.97kg
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Preface and Acknowledgements
List of Source Boxes
List of Methods and Analysis Boxes
List of Illustrations
List of Maps
1. Introduction
Part I. Conceiving Early Medieval Britain:
2. An Island in the Ocean: The Idea of Britain
3. On the Edge of the World: Britain and Europe
4. Legend, Myth and History
5. Migrations and Peoples
6. Fragments of the Past
Part II. Making Early Medieval Britain:
7. Britain c. 500
8. 'Fertile of Tyrants': Britain 500–650
9. 'What the Outcome Will Be, a Future Age Will See': Britain 650–850
10. 'God Help Us!': Britain 850–1000
Part III. Living in Early Medieval Britain:
11. Kingship in Action
12. Building a Christian Society
13. Maintaining Belief: The Church as an Institution
14. Family, Friend, Lord, Slave: The Basis of Society
15. Land, People and Settlement
16. Getting and Giving: Acts and Settings of Exchange
17. Language and Communication
18. 'As Far as the Cold Waves Reach': Conclusion
Glossary
Index.
Look Inside
Author
Rory Naismith, University of Cambridge
Rory Naismith has published extensively on early medieval history, including Money and Power in Anglo-Saxon England: the Southern English Kingdoms 757–865 (2012), Medieval European Coinage 8: Britain and Ireland c. 400–1066 (2017) and Citadel of the Saxons: the Rise of Early London (2018).
Contributors
Rory Naismith