Saxon Kings

Kings and Queens of England

by Richard Humble

The Saxon Kings [Hardcover] Humble, Richard

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Anglo Saxon

223 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1980

About the author

Richard Humble read Military History at Oriel College, Oxford. Now retired after 17 years as a Prison Teacher, he is a published author of 44 books on history for both adult and children's readership.

Reviews

[Harvey Tordoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

At school history was my worst subject, but over the years I have become more and more interested in the past. I have read books and watched movies and TV dramas and documentaries about the Plantaganets, the Tudors, The Stuarts, and on up to modern times, but for some reason popular history ignores the Saxon Kings. All I knew was that Alfred burned the cakes, Canute failed to turn the tide, Ethelred was unready, Edward confessed and Harold was shot in the eye at the Battle of Hastings. Not much for 200 years of dynastic struggles, with epic battles against ruthless invaders; good and bad kings, weak and strong kings.

I had always assumed that I knew so little because there was so little to know, but characters were described and events were recorded in the Chronicles and Humble pulls together the threads for our benefit. Not that he is an impartial historian, he praises and criticises in equal measure, although I was never sure whether he was simply following judgements made in the Chronicles or whether he has his own personal agenda.

This is a magnificent period of our history, not just about battles for power but about the forging of England as a nation. If your knowledge of the ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries is as hazy as was mine, then I thoroughly recommend this book.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this an assured and confident exploration of kingship in the Saxon era. Okay, so it’s not the most detailed or in-depth of books, but for beginners and those with a general interest in the period, this will readily do the job.

It’s part of a lengthy series of books – all of them presided over by Antonia Fraser as general editor – looking at the lives of the kings and queens of England. While the primary sources are far sketchier here than for later rulers like Henry VIII, the author Richard Humble does a splendid job of writing the biographies of the leaders as well as providing the backdrop for their rule. He explores the coronations, the blood lines, clears up misconceptions (like Ethelred’s false nickname of ‘The Unready’), looks briefly at the famous events we’re all aware of (like Alfred’s burning of the cakes) and includes plenty of details on the battles that fuelled this period.

I also particularly liked the fact that the book was broken up with many illustrations – not just those of primary sources, but also Victorian-era romantic drawings depicting key events, like the death of Edward the Martyr. Most books omit these to focus solely on illustrations from the period, but I liked their inclusion a lot as they add another, different angle to what we’re used to seeing.

[Colin Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most discussion of the English monarchy, at least outside of Academia, begins with William the Conqueror in 1066. But what of those kings that ruled before, who established the English monarchy upon which the Normans and their successors built? Richard Humble's survey covers a lot of ground in relatively few pages. Beginning around 450 AD with the establishment of the seven kingdoms, and concluding with Edgar Aethling, the last descendant of Alfred the Great to survive Harold Godwinesson's defeat at Hastings, Humble hits the highlights of all those who ruled England in that formative period, their successes and failures, sparing no praise for the praiseworthy (e.g., Alfred, Edward "the Elder", Athelstan, Canute), and pulling no punches for the incompetent (e.g., Ethelred "the Unrede", Harold "Harefoot", Harthacanute).

Each king is dealt with too briefly for this to be an in-depth, scholarly work. Yet, Humble engages the topic with no less academic vigor. He offers insight, quotes sources, and provides analysis that sometimes runs contrary to popular consensus. In other words, this is a book for the interested layman, and Humble does his best not only to satisfy the layman's interest, but tempt him to read deeper. The style is engaging, devoid of stale textbook language, and full of wit and passion.

For example, speaking of Eadwig, great-grandson of Alfred the Great, who took the throne at a young age in 955, Humble writes:

The clerical historians of his reign combine to give the young king an appalling press, branding him a feckless and defiant juvenile who crossed his councillors like a naughty schoolboy. It all seems a little hard. Eadwig was, after all, the youngest new king in living or written memory, faced with no national peril, with all the good looks of his family (his popular name was Eadwig "the All-Fair"), determined to have a good time--and probably heartily sick of being lectured about his revered ancestors. Given sympathetic coaching he would have probably grown out of it in no time, but all he got was a barrage of sanctimonious heckling from the clergy.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in English history--especially the history of the English monarchy. If you're already fairly well-read in the subject, this book probably covers ground with which you are well familiar. However, the tone and insight offered by Humble may make it worth your reading anyway. The numerous illustrations and photographs littered throughout the volume only add to its value. I am certainly encouraged to read anything else Humble has written.

[Best British Biographies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to begin my journey through the lives of the kings of England with Richard Humble’s book. This was for a variety of reasons: from the description it looked to be a survey of the kings from an era with which I am not all that familiar with, one that would provide coverage of the pre-“English” kings which I have decided not to address, and it promised coverage of the kings for whom I have been unable to find stand-alone biographies and would thus fill in some of the gaps that would otherwise exist in my project.

For the rest of my review, click the link:

https://www.bestbritishbios.com/2019/...

[John Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the outside it looks as though it belongs on a coffee table but it is much, much more. This area of history tends to be something of a blur for me. This clarified my vision in a very readable way. As well as good, solid text the book is lavishly illustrated, evidence, were it needed, of the rich cultural history the Saxons left behind.

Saxon kingship came as a double act with that strange beast democracy which has been with us ever since, for better or worse. It needed a strong monarch to get the best out of it. The Saxons provided several, alongside some shockers. Canute, the Dane was an exception and a good example of an honorary Saxon and a shrewd politician besides.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book written by Richard Humble is certainly not so humble. Even though it seemed like the Saxon Kings and nobles could choose their names from a list of about ten, the author presented this less well-known piece of British history really splendidly.

[Winifred · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting book don't remember ever learning this at school. interesting how uk was divided.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the seven kingdoms to Harold Godwinesson, an introduction to English history in the Saxon period. Could inspire to read some more. 15 kings, very sketchy.