The Battles that Created England 793-1100

The Battles that Created England 793-1100 written by Arthur C. Wright and

published by Frontline Books - £25 - Hardback - Pages 256

In popular imagination the warfare of the Early Middle Ages is often obscure, unstructured,

and unimaginative, lost between two military machines, the ‘Romans’ and the ‘Normans’,

which saw the country invaded and partitioned. In point of fact, we have a considerable

amount of information at our fingertips and the picture that should emerge is one of

English ability in the face of sometimes overwhelming pressures on society, and a

resilience that eventually drew the older kingdoms together in new external responses

which united the ‘English’ in a common sense of purpose.

This is the story of how the Saxon kingdoms, which had maintained their independence for generations, were compelled to unite their forces to resist the external threat of the Viking incursions. The kingdoms of East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria, Kent, Essex, Sussex, and Wessex were gradually welded into one as Wessex grew in strength to become the dominant Saxon kingdom.

From the weak Æthelred to the strong Alfred, rightly deserving the epithet ‘Great’, to the strong, but equally unfortunate, Harold, this era witnessed brutal hand-to-hand battles in congested melees, which are normally portrayed as unsophisticated but deadly brawls. In reality, the warriors of the era were experienced fighters often displaying sophisticated strategies and deploying complex tactics.

Our principal source, replete with reasonably reliable reportage, are the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, comprehensive in collation though subject to oral distortion and mythological excursions. The narrative of these does not appear to flow continuously, leaving too much to imagination but, by creating a complementary matrix of landscapes, topography and communications it is possible to provide convincing scenery into which we can fit other archaeological and philological evidence to show how the English nation was formed in the bloody slaughter of battle.

A part of history that has little exposure in comparison to others, but lately even I have noticed an increase in awareness and exposure in recent years through books, films and documentaries. This book goes through various battles that would give England a solid and united basis to stand proud and become a bigger military power. The English counties that were previously staunchly independent, were united under Alfred the Great to take on the invading powers to be. The book is split into 42 chapters and all of them were a good and easy read with notes at the end of each chapter too, which I really enjoyed. Credit to the author who has done a good job and a book I have thoroughly enjoyed, in fact I can see myself re-reading this book a number of times in the future. An excellent book if you looking to get into early military history or if your a student of the subject, you will enjoy this book.

Royal Mysteries of the Anglo-Saxons and Early Britain

Royal Mysteries of the Anglo-Saxons and Early Britain written by Timothy Venning and published by Pen & Sword Books - £25.00 - Hardback - Pages 272

Royal mysteries never fail to intrigue readers and TV viewers. The 'mysteries', unravelled and analysed, are of enduring fascination and full of tragedy, suffering and pathos but also heroism and romance.

The text is based on deep research in original sources including rare documents, archaeological and DNA evidence, latest historiography and academic research but is essentially accessible history.

These are the 'Dark Ages' but Anglo-Saxon enlightenment is emphasised. The Heptarchy, with seven Anglo-Saxon states, is examined and Alfred's victory over the Vikings and the emergence of the English kingdom. But mystery surrounds all aspects of dynastic, political and military history. The story includes the surviving British and Welsh kingdoms when 'Welsh' meant 'foreigner, the Gaelic kingdoms in what became Scotland, the survival of lowland 'Britons' under the Germanic Anglo-Saxon radar - a new interpretation of early English society in its shadowy forms with the half-mythical founders of the early English kingdoms like Hengist of Kent or Cerdic of Wessex, up to William duke of Normandy - did he have any legitimate claim to justify his 'power-grab'? Some episodes have dropped out of history like the murder of the teenage King Edward the 'Martyr', but here is a re-telling of early mysteries based on close analysis of the myriad sources while stimulating romantic fascination.

Now, this Anglo-Saxon part of British history is a part I am learning more and more about, this is a very comprehensive and detailed book, something that must have taken a lot of research. The book begins in parts as far back as the Roman period of occupation in Britain and runs up to the more or less the Battle of Hastings. The book split into 10 chapters looks at various royal stories, kings and kingdoms of England, and the way others interacted with them with relations from abroad and the Celtic countries. Although I’m still learning about this period, I’m thoroughly enjoying reading books like this, by authors who clearly know what they’re on about. Highly recommended and an enjoyable read.