Celtic Britain

Ancient Peoples and Places

by Charles Thomas

The period between the departure of the Romans from Britain around a.d. 400 and the establishment of the English kingdoms in the later seventh century was a time of turmoil, of a breakdown in civilized life. Scots, Picts, and Anglo-Saxons pressed in on all sides. Yet it was also a time of renaissance, of a rebirth in Celtic language and art, which saw the rise of native British kingdoms in Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall, and the flowering of the Church in Celtic Britain. Charles Thomas--archaeologist and historian of the early Church--pieces together the truth behind the accretions of myth. The results of the latest research are brought to bear, including new ideas about Tintagel and excavations at Dunbarton Rock and elsewhere. From it emerges the most convincing portrait yet of a romantic and heroic age.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Christianity, British Literature

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Antony Charles Thomas, CBE, FSA is a Cornish historian and archaeologist who was Professor of Cornish Studies at Exeter University, and the first Director of the Institute of Cornish Studies, from 1971 until his retirement in 1991. He was recognised as a Bard of the Cornish Gorseth with the name Gwas Godhyan in 1953. He is also the former President of the Council for British Archaeology. He lives in his family home in Cornwall and is married to the crime writer Jessica Mann.

Reviews

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The topic and the premise were really interesting, however I’ve struggled a bit with the academic tone and convoluted points. The edition and photographs were really interesting, especially the sections about Cornwall and Wales.

[Phil Syphe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of several history books that has hooked me with an engaging introduction only to go on to be disappointing.

It’s not a dry read or aimed at academics, but somehow it failed to hold my attention for much of the time.

I feel there’s too much focus on the meaning of names. This starts off as interesting, but when the origin of name after name is reeled off, it becomes tedious.

Sections here and there appealed to me, but in short, the main body of this work didn’t grip me like the entertaining introduction.

[Jacki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some chapters were more relevant to my studies than others, but fairly forward thinking considering its publication date.

[Kjǫlsigʀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare example of pertinent observations within a specific subfield, that are neither merely introductory nor utterly exhaustive.

[Sam]

Surprisingly entertaining but challenging read

[Nighteye · Rating 3 out of 5]

The parts I read I liked, it gave me a lot of good information for my "Celtic history and Culture"-course at Uppsala university in Sweden but I haven't read that much to judge the whole book, just selected part of chapters for a minor task I should do!

[Lee Broderick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the development of Atlantic Britain in the Early Mediaeval period.