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Warrior: A Life of War in Anglo-Saxon Britain
Warrior tells the story of forgotten man, a man whose bones were found in an Anglo-Saxon graveyard at Bamburgh castle in Northumberland. It is the story of a violent time when Britain was defining itself in waves of religious fervour, scattered tribal expansion and terrible bloodshed; it is the story of the fighting class, men apart, defined in life and death by their experiences on the killing field; it is an intricate and riveting narrative of survival and adaptation set in the stunning political and physical landscapes of medieval England.
Warrior is a classic of British history, a landmark of popular archaeology, and a must-read for anyone interested in the story of where we've come from.
Warrior is a classic of British history, a landmark of popular archaeology, and a must-read for anyone interested in the story of where we've come from.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2019
4 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Edoardo Albert
54 books157 followersEdoardo Albert is a writer of Sri Lankan and Italian extraction based in London. He writes about history and archaeology, particularly of the early Medieval period, as well as writing historical and speculative fiction.
Find out more about him and his work at www.edoardoalbert.com. Follow him on Twitter @EdoardoAlbert or like him on Facebook.
Find out more about him and his work at www.edoardoalbert.com. Follow him on Twitter @EdoardoAlbert or like him on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this. Narrative history and archaeology, hooked on human interest. Starting with the vow from archaeologist Paul Spedding to take care of the warrior whose grave he had found.Not a deep scholarly work, and admits it is inventing a life for the nameless warrior, a Dal Riatan who perhaps fought for Oswald at Heavenfield, to fit the few details of his life we know from the archaeology. Does bring the Seventh century to life, and also gives an insight into why people love to do archaeology.
July 29, 2020
Fantastic, mesmerising, educational read. This is my ear of history and it was brought to life magnificently. It's left me wanting to know more about the warrior. If only we could travel back in time. This book helps to do just that
July 10, 2020
During Lockdown I caught the authors giving a talk – https://youtu.be/qG1UmIRbfF4 – and by halfway through I’d bought the paperback. It was well worth both the money and my time.
The problem with many history books is they tend to focus on their subject to the detriment of context, so the reading becomes a dry affair for non-obsessives. ‘Warrior...’ works for a wider audience because context plays an integral part in its conveying of information, from the snobbery of a 20th century academia trained in the Classics – the largely self-taught earlier archaeologists of both Bamburgh and Sutton Hoo fell foul of this – to the Venerable Bede’s differing view of kings pagan and Christian when both lived by the sword and the might of their war bands.
For readers brought up on Time Team, the archaeology threads will prove fascinating; for history buffs... well I learned a lot, including how and why the monastery at Lindisfarne Priory came into being; for those who watch docu-drama the faction elements will bring colour and life to ancient writings. By the end of the book it becomes fitting that the excavated of the Bowl Hole – which includes a high-born woman from the area we now refer to as Norway, 150 years before the Viking raids began – should be saved from the ignominy of either sitting in a university store room or being lost to coastal erosion. Their individual charnel boxes now sit reverently in the crypt of St Aiden’s Church within sight of Bamburgh Castle. A highly recommended read.
The problem with many history books is they tend to focus on their subject to the detriment of context, so the reading becomes a dry affair for non-obsessives. ‘Warrior...’ works for a wider audience because context plays an integral part in its conveying of information, from the snobbery of a 20th century academia trained in the Classics – the largely self-taught earlier archaeologists of both Bamburgh and Sutton Hoo fell foul of this – to the Venerable Bede’s differing view of kings pagan and Christian when both lived by the sword and the might of their war bands.
For readers brought up on Time Team, the archaeology threads will prove fascinating; for history buffs... well I learned a lot, including how and why the monastery at Lindisfarne Priory came into being; for those who watch docu-drama the faction elements will bring colour and life to ancient writings. By the end of the book it becomes fitting that the excavated of the Bowl Hole – which includes a high-born woman from the area we now refer to as Norway, 150 years before the Viking raids began – should be saved from the ignominy of either sitting in a university store room or being lost to coastal erosion. Their individual charnel boxes now sit reverently in the crypt of St Aiden’s Church within sight of Bamburgh Castle. A highly recommended read.
October 23, 2019
Warrior is the story of a skeleton unearthed during an archaeological dig at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland. When the bones were subjected to analysis they were found to belong to someone from an island off the west coast of Scotland. That discovery and the obvious high status of the burial was the start of a process of detection and speculation in which the authors sought to reconstruct the social and political world the deceased individual inhabited and follow the trail of events that led to his death. In describing all this, the book also reveals a good deal about the world of archaeology, and some of its more colourful personalities. A fascinating read that underlines how little we know about this early period of British history and how much still remains to be uncovered.
December 20, 2019
This is a very unique book. It starts with a fascinating archaeological find that serves as the basis for the story of a whole era of Anglo-Saxon history. Not only are we steeped in the history of a most fascinating time in the shaping of the British Isles, but along the way we learn about archaeology (and some of its politics), history, and the enduring features of human nature that all of us would recognize, even 1400 years later. We're also given occasional glimpses of historiography, getting unique snippets from the author about the perils of writing about history. I doubt there's another book like it on the market! A must-have for any fan of history's bookshelf.
January 11, 2022
3.75/5.
Fairly short book (270 pages plus another 20 or so for notes and index) that covers a mix of Anglo-Saxon lifestyle, religion, wars between kingdoms and a bits of the history of modern archeology, such as new techniques or some famous eccentric archeolgists. Most of the archeology is based around Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland (Bebbenburg if you've ever watched the last kingdom). Personally my two favourite parts were the chapter on swords and smiths in the time period, which included 'pattern welding' swords to make them stronger and why the Anglo-Saxon smiths put more effort into their swords (smaller warbands meant the quality of each individual's sword mattered compared to say a Roman legion). My second favourite part was on the debate over the scale of the Germanic conquest of Britain but this was just at the end of a chapter. The chapters that discuss the eccentric archeologists were fine but not particularly memorable. The time period of the book is mainly the first half of the 7th century, so the Germanic tribes fighting each and the native Britons but no Vikings. I wasn't a massive of the big war chapters as they involve a lot of place and king names, and Anglo-Saxon names are hard to remember (which is why I don't read more about the time period). The tone is on the casual and it is quite easy to read, I don't know much about the Anglo-Saxons or archeology but I found it very easy to get into.
Overall I enjoyed it and would reccomend it if interested in the Anglo-Saxons or early middle ages Britain.
Fairly short book (270 pages plus another 20 or so for notes and index) that covers a mix of Anglo-Saxon lifestyle, religion, wars between kingdoms and a bits of the history of modern archeology, such as new techniques or some famous eccentric archeolgists. Most of the archeology is based around Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland (Bebbenburg if you've ever watched the last kingdom). Personally my two favourite parts were the chapter on swords and smiths in the time period, which included 'pattern welding' swords to make them stronger and why the Anglo-Saxon smiths put more effort into their swords (smaller warbands meant the quality of each individual's sword mattered compared to say a Roman legion). My second favourite part was on the debate over the scale of the Germanic conquest of Britain but this was just at the end of a chapter. The chapters that discuss the eccentric archeologists were fine but not particularly memorable. The time period of the book is mainly the first half of the 7th century, so the Germanic tribes fighting each and the native Britons but no Vikings. I wasn't a massive of the big war chapters as they involve a lot of place and king names, and Anglo-Saxon names are hard to remember (which is why I don't read more about the time period). The tone is on the casual and it is quite easy to read, I don't know much about the Anglo-Saxons or archeology but I found it very easy to get into.
Overall I enjoyed it and would reccomend it if interested in the Anglo-Saxons or early middle ages Britain.
December 5, 2019
This book takes a new approach, it combines the discoveries of archeology and the knowledge of history to create an imaginatively embodied understanding of the life of a warrior in Anglo Saxon Britian from childhood through to death. It doesn't just present facts but explores outlook, motivation and attitude that such a warriour might have. This book makes the bold bare bones speak to us as a living rounded person. We see what the warrior sees. Intertwined through this are the thoughts and views of the archeologist who discovered the skeleton and we are able to gain an insight into the thought processes of the archeologist as he tries to make sense of his findings. It is a book about process and anyone who enjoys how we discover things, will find this book fascinating in the way it explores the unusual science of archeology.
October 1, 2020
I really enjoyed this, even though the title is misleading as most of the book isn't about war or warriors but about the whole society of the Anglo Saxon and Celtic kingdoms that the warrior who is the subject of the book would have been part of ranging from Kent to Gwynedd and the Gaelic Kingdom of Dal Riata whose histories are all intertwined with that of Northumbria. There is also quite a bit about the process of archaeology as only a few facts about the warrior are known, only those that could be gleaned from analysis of his bones and his burial. A lot of the book is speculation about what the warrior would have done or said written as fictionalised passages throughout the book. The book would be a good companion to read alongside Max Adams' The King in the North.
October 18, 2020
This is a very engaging book.
It has three strands- an excursion into archeology, a general history of Northumbria and speculative recreations of individual lives. Each strand is very accessible and just as informative; they wrap around each other to make this book a very rewarding read.
It has three strands- an excursion into archeology, a general history of Northumbria and speculative recreations of individual lives. Each strand is very accessible and just as informative; they wrap around each other to make this book a very rewarding read.
April 10, 2022
The remains of an Anglo-Saxon warrior were found in a burial ground near Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland. This book is part archaeology, part history and part storytelling as the author tries to recreate the life and times of the warrior. Totally fascinating and well worth reading.
December 5, 2019
This book takes a new approach, it combines the discoveries of archeology and the knowledge of history to create an imaginatively embodied understanding of the life of a warrior in Anglo Saxon Britian from childhood through to death. It doesn't just present facts but explores outlook, motivation and attitude that such a warrior might have. This book makes the bold bare bones speak to us as a living rounded person. We see what the warrior sees. Intertwined through this are the thoughts and views of the archeologist who discovered the skeleton and we are able to gain an insight into the thought processes of the archeologist as he tries to make sense of his findings. It is a book about process and anyone who enjoys how we discover things, will find this book fascinating in the way it explores the unusual science of archeology.
February 2, 2022
Firstly, the cover on this book is so pretty!
This is a great read for anyone interested archaeology and life in ancient Britain between about 550 CE and 690 CE. The ups and downs of kingship in Anglo-Saxon times was a wild ride that was held together by the personal power of the king. When a king died (most likely in battle) the victor would rearrange lands, titles, and power structures, often sending the old king's family and loyal retainers in to exile or death in order to cement their victory and secure the throne. The book follows the various kings for about a century. Along side this there are details about a particular archaeological dig at Bramburgh,(Northumberland,U.K.) and the bones of a warrior found there. How he came to be laid to rest at Bramburgh far from where his bones tell the archaeologists he was raised.
Albert and Gethling weave a tale, by drawing on their own findings and the work of both ancient and modern historians, about the kings and the warrior, giving a glimpse into the short, brutal lives of the Anglo-Saxons. Along they way they give insights into some of the developments in archaeology and the personalities of the people who make it their life's work.
I did find this book very interesting but I do feel the authors assumed that their audience are all from the United Kingdom and have a very firm grasp of places, dates, and general history that I certainly didn't get in my Australian schooling. I would have really appreciated a more detailed map and a modern map to go along side it -there are some maps in the book but there are mentions of (fairly major to the story) battles or places that are simply not marked. A cast of characters or family tree or two would also have been incredibly helpful as related people all have very similar (none identical) names. At one point I had to back track several pages because the similar names caused me to think one king had married his brother-in-law!
We did this book for book club January 2022 and I was not alone with these issues, every person had similar problems. We are all Australians though so I would be interested to know if people from the UK who have read it had similar issues?
Overall this is well worth reading, but if you don't have a very firm grasp of the geography of the U.K. be prepared to have an atlas open in front of you and a notebook to keep track of the many kings and their relatives.
This is a great read for anyone interested archaeology and life in ancient Britain between about 550 CE and 690 CE. The ups and downs of kingship in Anglo-Saxon times was a wild ride that was held together by the personal power of the king. When a king died (most likely in battle) the victor would rearrange lands, titles, and power structures, often sending the old king's family and loyal retainers in to exile or death in order to cement their victory and secure the throne. The book follows the various kings for about a century. Along side this there are details about a particular archaeological dig at Bramburgh,(Northumberland,U.K.) and the bones of a warrior found there. How he came to be laid to rest at Bramburgh far from where his bones tell the archaeologists he was raised.
Albert and Gethling weave a tale, by drawing on their own findings and the work of both ancient and modern historians, about the kings and the warrior, giving a glimpse into the short, brutal lives of the Anglo-Saxons. Along they way they give insights into some of the developments in archaeology and the personalities of the people who make it their life's work.
I did find this book very interesting but I do feel the authors assumed that their audience are all from the United Kingdom and have a very firm grasp of places, dates, and general history that I certainly didn't get in my Australian schooling. I would have really appreciated a more detailed map and a modern map to go along side it -there are some maps in the book but there are mentions of (fairly major to the story) battles or places that are simply not marked. A cast of characters or family tree or two would also have been incredibly helpful as related people all have very similar (none identical) names. At one point I had to back track several pages because the similar names caused me to think one king had married his brother-in-law!
We did this book for book club January 2022 and I was not alone with these issues, every person had similar problems. We are all Australians though so I would be interested to know if people from the UK who have read it had similar issues?
Overall this is well worth reading, but if you don't have a very firm grasp of the geography of the U.K. be prepared to have an atlas open in front of you and a notebook to keep track of the many kings and their relatives.
January 9, 2022
Overall I really enjoyed this book but I do think it has some significant flaws.
There are three parts to it: the life and death of our anonymous warrior, the known history of the movers and shakers in Britain at the time he was alive (kings, holy men etc) and an explanation of the archaeological practices that have allowed us to know what we know about him.
However, I never got a sense of these three strands coalescing into a cohesive whole. I think the authors perhaps spend too much time on the second two strands (history/archaeology), at the expense of the first one (biography) - which is a shame because the parts of the book that focus on the warrior are, in my opinion, the best bits.
I would have liked to read more about everyday life for our warrior - what might he have eaten and drank, for example (do we even know?). I wonder if perhaps the authors might have got a bit too close to the subject and lost sight of what's interesting to the general reader.
I have to admit that when reading the historical narrative I struggled at times to keep track of my Aethelburhts and my Aethelfriths. Some sort of cast list alongside the maps at the start might have helped, though quite possibly this one's on me.
I'm probably spending too much time on the book's flaws here - the prose strikes a good balance between intellectual and informal, and the fiction-like descriptions of events in the warriors life very effectively bring it to life. I also found the section on archaeology's limitations really interesting. This is a very good book, just maybe not the book I had hoped it would be.
There are three parts to it: the life and death of our anonymous warrior, the known history of the movers and shakers in Britain at the time he was alive (kings, holy men etc) and an explanation of the archaeological practices that have allowed us to know what we know about him.
However, I never got a sense of these three strands coalescing into a cohesive whole. I think the authors perhaps spend too much time on the second two strands (history/archaeology), at the expense of the first one (biography) - which is a shame because the parts of the book that focus on the warrior are, in my opinion, the best bits.
I would have liked to read more about everyday life for our warrior - what might he have eaten and drank, for example (do we even know?). I wonder if perhaps the authors might have got a bit too close to the subject and lost sight of what's interesting to the general reader.
I have to admit that when reading the historical narrative I struggled at times to keep track of my Aethelburhts and my Aethelfriths. Some sort of cast list alongside the maps at the start might have helped, though quite possibly this one's on me.
I'm probably spending too much time on the book's flaws here - the prose strikes a good balance between intellectual and informal, and the fiction-like descriptions of events in the warriors life very effectively bring it to life. I also found the section on archaeology's limitations really interesting. This is a very good book, just maybe not the book I had hoped it would be.
January 17, 2020
Thanks to Granta Publications and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'll admit I was caught off guard with this one, it was not what I thought it would be. It's not really the story of an Anglo Saxon warrior, more the story about the archaeological digs related to the discovery of the Warrior's skeleton and the history of archaeology in the UK.
Yeah... it didn't set my world on fire either. The book is incredibly detailed and I thought the prose quite dense and difficult to engage with. The more interesting and quirky part of the story (the warrior's story) was just a bit boring.
I think anyone very interested in the archaeology of the Anglo-Saxon time period would really enjoy this but I just couldn't get into it.
But, for those new to the study of Anglo-Saxon England, this book will provide an excellent starting point, placing the skeleton in a 'possible' historical setting.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.
I'll admit I was caught off guard with this one, it was not what I thought it would be. It's not really the story of an Anglo Saxon warrior, more the story about the archaeological digs related to the discovery of the Warrior's skeleton and the history of archaeology in the UK.
Yeah... it didn't set my world on fire either. The book is incredibly detailed and I thought the prose quite dense and difficult to engage with. The more interesting and quirky part of the story (the warrior's story) was just a bit boring.
I think anyone very interested in the archaeology of the Anglo-Saxon time period would really enjoy this but I just couldn't get into it.
But, for those new to the study of Anglo-Saxon England, this book will provide an excellent starting point, placing the skeleton in a 'possible' historical setting.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.
September 9, 2019
This book weaves the story of the excavations of the Bamburgh Research Group and the warrior grave discovered there into the wider context of Anglo Saxon Britain. For me the background to the excavation and the personalities involved were some of the best sections as they gave an insight into the world of archaeology and how the history can be used to inform that. Where the sections went into some of the seemingly less relevant areas I found that much like the book itself I lost focus.
That said the book is well written, there is much to capture the specialist and general reader alike, a few diagrams or photographs would have enhanced the experience and perhaps made some things clearer as a picture is worth many words.
#Warrior #NetGalle
That said the book is well written, there is much to capture the specialist and general reader alike, a few diagrams or photographs would have enhanced the experience and perhaps made some things clearer as a picture is worth many words.
#Warrior #NetGalle
June 25, 2019
If you’re an archaeologist or a historian (or even a blacksmith), or you’re just interested in archaeology, history (or smithing), this is for you. A highly readable and informative account of the excavation of the Bowl Hole Cemetery at Bamburgh Castle and the early medieval history of the north of England and western Scotland (as well as how to make a pattern-welded sword), through the perspective of the find of the remains of an Ionan warrior.
You’ll also want to come and hear the authors speak at The Collection in October. Paul Gething is one of the lead archaeologists on the Bamburgh Research Project.
You’ll also want to come and hear the authors speak at The Collection in October. Paul Gething is one of the lead archaeologists on the Bamburgh Research Project.
November 21, 2020
A superb mix of archaeology and history, telling the story of a seventh-century warrior and the world he lived and died in. A gripping account which clarified for me an obscure period of British history, and had lots to teach about power, faith and culture not just in Anglo-Saxon Britain but today.
August 25, 2019
An interesting and well written book, well researched and engrossing.
You will learn a lot reading this book and I was fascinated by the description and liked the style of writing.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine.
You will learn a lot reading this book and I was fascinated by the description and liked the style of writing.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine.
October 8, 2025
A must read
Fabulous in all aspects. The interweaving of stories from contemporary archeological digs and the history they reveal work remarkably well. The writers are able to bring characters alive and make history people centric as it should be. Excellent
Fabulous in all aspects. The interweaving of stories from contemporary archeological digs and the history they reveal work remarkably well. The writers are able to bring characters alive and make history people centric as it should be. Excellent
October 19, 2019
Excellent interesting history. Illustrations would have made it even better.
January 9, 2021
Local history brought to life. Loved the description of the Battle of Heavenfield and the last stand of Cadwallon on the Devils Water.
August 18, 2023
There are aspects of this book which are extremely appealing, but ultimately the author seeks to include too much peripheral information which results in the book losing focus and direction.
Read
December 3, 2024Didn’t actually read this book as it was a bit dull even for me. Very much involved with archeological technique and not so much about Roman Britain
September 19, 2019
Perhaps my favourite passage from the book.
"So, in the sixth century, the Irish were Scots, the English were Germans, the Welsh were British and the Scots were Picts."
Warrior is an extremely well-written book. But it is not at all what I thought it would be. It is not so much the story of the warrior whose skeleton was discovered in the Bowl Hole at Bamburgh, as the story of the archaeological digs that have taken place at Bamburgh Castle, and the personalities involved, the 'history' (bizarre as it sounds) of the development of archaeology as a science throughout the twentieth century and a snapshot of events that occurred in Northumberland from about AD599-635, mixed in with the history of the Conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, which were taking place at the same time. (On another note, I have been on the beach at Bamburgh when a random storm has blown in - on this occasion hail on a summer's day. It does happen).
As such, this short book attempts to accomplish a great deal, in only very few words, and for those new to the time period, or with a passing interest in all things archaeological, or for those fans of Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred and the TV series, The Last Kingdom with its 'hero's' focus on Bebbanburg, this will be a real treat.
The story takes the reader from Kent to Iona and many, many places in between. The research and attention to details can't be faulted, and neither can the fact that the author admits that much of his story will be 'made up' and probably inaccurate, and yet, the 'fiction' of the warrior's story is maintained, along with the desire to make the archaeology 'fit the 'facts'' of the 'history' and it is here that the book falters for anyone who has more than a passing interest in the period, and who will understand all the speech marks in that last sentence.
But, for those new to the study of Anglo-Saxon England, this book will provide an excellent starting point, placing the skeleton in a 'possible' historical setting.
(I am hoping that the site report for the dig at Bamburgh will be/is available and this might quench my thirst to know more details about the actual finds rather than the potential historical context in which it might have taken place.).
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.
"So, in the sixth century, the Irish were Scots, the English were Germans, the Welsh were British and the Scots were Picts."
Warrior is an extremely well-written book. But it is not at all what I thought it would be. It is not so much the story of the warrior whose skeleton was discovered in the Bowl Hole at Bamburgh, as the story of the archaeological digs that have taken place at Bamburgh Castle, and the personalities involved, the 'history' (bizarre as it sounds) of the development of archaeology as a science throughout the twentieth century and a snapshot of events that occurred in Northumberland from about AD599-635, mixed in with the history of the Conversion of the Anglo-Saxons, which were taking place at the same time. (On another note, I have been on the beach at Bamburgh when a random storm has blown in - on this occasion hail on a summer's day. It does happen).
As such, this short book attempts to accomplish a great deal, in only very few words, and for those new to the time period, or with a passing interest in all things archaeological, or for those fans of Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred and the TV series, The Last Kingdom with its 'hero's' focus on Bebbanburg, this will be a real treat.
The story takes the reader from Kent to Iona and many, many places in between. The research and attention to details can't be faulted, and neither can the fact that the author admits that much of his story will be 'made up' and probably inaccurate, and yet, the 'fiction' of the warrior's story is maintained, along with the desire to make the archaeology 'fit the 'facts'' of the 'history' and it is here that the book falters for anyone who has more than a passing interest in the period, and who will understand all the speech marks in that last sentence.
But, for those new to the study of Anglo-Saxon England, this book will provide an excellent starting point, placing the skeleton in a 'possible' historical setting.
(I am hoping that the site report for the dig at Bamburgh will be/is available and this might quench my thirst to know more details about the actual finds rather than the potential historical context in which it might have taken place.).
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy.
November 4, 2019
archaeologists found some bones in an old cemetery. author tells the story of the owner of the bones and the general events in the area between around 590 and 635 CE. the british isles were dozens of warring kingdoms at the time, anglo-saxons, picts, gaels, and britons...some christian, some pagan. some gaelic christian (a la patrick) and some roman christian (a la augustine). the complex demographics and lack of enduring power structures made for a chaotic, violent world.
and that, my friends, is where i come from!
and that, my friends, is where i come from!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews