The Birth of the Anglo-Saxons: Three Kings and a History of Britain at the Dawn of the Viking Age

by Max Adams

A brilliant, authoritative narrative of the golden age of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom in Britain by an acclaimed historian of this period.

The eighth century has for too long been a neglected era in British a shadow land between the death of Saint Bede and the triumphs of King Ælfred and the eventual unification of England.

But before the victories of King Ælfred against the Viking invaders, the kingdom of Mercia—spread across a broad swathe of central England—was the reigning power that exercised central political authority for the first time since the Roman Empire. This authority was used to construct trading networks and markets; to develop strong economic, cultural, and political links with the Continent; and to lay the foundations for a system of defense that would be invigorated and reinvented by Ælfred at the end of the ninth century.

Two kings, Æthelbald (716–757) and Offa (757–796), dominated the political landscape of the rising power of Mercia. During their reigns, monasteries became powerhouses of royal patronage, economic enterprise, and trade. Offa constructed his grandiose dyke along the borders of the warlike Welsh Kingdoms and, more subtly, spread his message of political superiority through coinage bearing his image. But Æthelbald and Offa between them built something with an even more substantial legacy—a geography of medieval England. And these two kings engineered a set of tensions between kingship, landholding, and the church that were to play out dramatically at the dawn of the Viking Age.

In this illuminating history of Early Medieval Britain, Max Adams reconnects the worlds of the three kings—Æthelbald, Offa, and Ælfred—in an absorbing study of the landscape, society, and politics of a fascinating century of change.

Genres: History, Medieval, Nonfiction, European History, Biography, British Literature

464 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good book for those of you who are serious historians, or love deep research, or are vitally interested in Pre-Viking Anglo-Saxon history, especially Mercia. That is, it is meticulously researched by a serious scholar who is vitally interested in Pre-Viking Anglo-Saxon history., especially Mercia. It's actually interesting to the rest of us who love history, the British Isles, research, archaeology (although there is less of this than of the other stuff), or a bit of a mystery. The written evidence of what happened is thin, but this guy probably knows more about it than anyone else. He speaks to the reader as to a fellow scholar/researcher, so he never talks down to us or dumbs it. It's well written enough not to be boring to amateur scholars like me. I recommend it if you are not looking for a fast-moving adventure story or one whose characters' names you can pronounce. I would have done about 78% better with any knowledge of place names in England and Wales -- but you can't have everything.

[Chuck Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history of England in the 7th to 9th century as told primarily through its various rulers and wannabes (of which there are many). Very thorough and honest writing

[Mike Farrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting but not exciting history of the Mercian kingdom from 628 to 918 CE.

While it is supposed to cover the establishment of Anglo-Saxon rule and culture during this period it is primarily the history of the Mercian kingdom, the largest and most powerful, both militarily and politically, of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, starting with King Penda in 628 through 918 when King Edward of Wessex succeeds to overlordship of Mercia, thus ending independent rule in Mercia.

The book lists the succession of each of the Mercian kings and kings of the other kingdoms; their relationships with each other (most were related by marriages between their children); relationships with other countries, including the Franks and the Scandinavians; and relationship with the church.

The best part was the evolution of Mercian political acumen from merely militaristic to courting allies and trading partners, using their exportable natural resources, especially salt, lead and wool, to forge peaceful and profitable partnerships both at home and in Europe.

The book, however, reads more like a textbook. Some of the narration drags on and on and I just skimmed portions.

If you are a serious student of the early Middle Ages in England, you may get something more out of this book than I did; otherwise you’ll probably skim through major portions like I did.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical survey of the major kingdoms of 8th Century England, primarily Mercia, Northumbria, Wessex, and Kent. The book clearly represents pretty thorough research on the known personalities of the era, the dynamics and dangers of elite life, the odd calculations behind dynastic marriages and inheritance, and the convoluted relationship between kings and clergy. The narrative part is limited, however. A familiarity with the general history of Britain during those decades would be very helpful to keep the narrative clear. Additional maps would have helped as well. Where the book is at its best is in the sifting of archeological and textual evidence (charters and chronicles) for the establishment of various settlements and religious orders, and in exploration of the broader world: the Welsh kingdoms and Charlemagne's empire. I found the linguistic breakdowns of Old English town names fascinating, though a glossary would have been welcome. Adam's main theme is the central role that Mercia and its various kings and queens played not just in the events of the era, but in the development of the English nation as a political and economic unit, as opposed to a cluster of realms ruled by kings and sub-kings.

[Ernest Spoon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a scholarly book not intended for dilettantes, such as myself. At least I can say I slogged through all 398 pages. Seemed more of an archeological survey than a history, to me. But, alas, as the author points out more than once, textural evidence for the once important Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, is sorely lacking and/or limited, and from the opposition's viewpoint.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting subject and meticulously researched but my main quibble is that events felt muddled - could have been more lucidly explained.There were so many people / battles involved that I was often confused!
I really appreciated how the author added small pronounciation guides along the way !

[Steven]

Got about 30 pages in -- this was way more scholarly than I was in the mood for.

[Daniel Sokolow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up partway through. I couldn't find enough of a thread or a character to follow throughout the story. It read like a series of disconnected chapters without anything tying it together.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Well written but too academic for me. I was looking for more of a story.

[ROBERT · Rating 2 out of 5]

more detail than one wants to know. It seems to be a soporific

[Daniel Pearse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facsinating look at the early English kingdom of Mercia. Good detail when there is obviously such a lack of information about the Mercians.