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The Anglo-Saxon World
Audiobook duration: 17 hours 13 minutes
The Anglo-Saxon period, stretching from the fifth to the late eleventh century, begins with the Roman retreat from the Western world and ends with the Norman takeover of England. Between these epochal events, many of the contours and patterns of English life that would endure for the next millennium were shaped. In this authoritative work, N. J. Higham and M. J. Ryan reexamine Anglo-Saxon England in the light of new research in disciplines as wide ranging as historical genetics, paleobotany, archaeology, literary studies, art history, and numismatics. The result is the definitive introduction to the Anglo-Saxon world. The Anglo-Saxon period witnessed the birth of the English people, the establishment of Christianity, and the development of the English language. With an extraordinary cast of characters (Alfred the Great, the Venerable Bede, King Cnut), a long list of artistic and cultural achievements (Beowulf, the Sutton Hoo ship-burial finds, the Bayeux Tapestry), and multiple dramatic events (the Viking invasions, the Battle of Hastings), the Anglo-Saxon era lays legitimate claim to having been one of the most important in Western history.
The Anglo-Saxon period, stretching from the fifth to the late eleventh century, begins with the Roman retreat from the Western world and ends with the Norman takeover of England. Between these epochal events, many of the contours and patterns of English life that would endure for the next millennium were shaped. In this authoritative work, N. J. Higham and M. J. Ryan reexamine Anglo-Saxon England in the light of new research in disciplines as wide ranging as historical genetics, paleobotany, archaeology, literary studies, art history, and numismatics. The result is the definitive introduction to the Anglo-Saxon world. The Anglo-Saxon period witnessed the birth of the English people, the establishment of Christianity, and the development of the English language. With an extraordinary cast of characters (Alfred the Great, the Venerable Bede, King Cnut), a long list of artistic and cultural achievements (Beowulf, the Sutton Hoo ship-burial finds, the Bayeux Tapestry), and multiple dramatic events (the Viking invasions, the Battle of Hastings), the Anglo-Saxon era lays legitimate claim to having been one of the most important in Western history.
18 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 2013
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About the author
Nicholas J. Higham
34 books25 followersLibrarian note: There are other authors with the same name.
Dr. Nicholas John Higham, aka N.J. Higham, is Professor in Early Medieval and Landscape History in the History Subject Area in the School of Arts, Histories and Cultures at the University of Manchester. His research interests focus on two interrelated areas: the History and Archaeology of the Early Middle Ages in Britain, and the Landscape and Settlement History of North West and North England in the Middle Ages. He has supervised many successful research students in both areas and is always interested in enquiries concerning future research.
Dr. Nicholas John Higham, aka N.J. Higham, is Professor in Early Medieval and Landscape History in the History Subject Area in the School of Arts, Histories and Cultures at the University of Manchester. His research interests focus on two interrelated areas: the History and Archaeology of the Early Middle Ages in Britain, and the Landscape and Settlement History of North West and North England in the Middle Ages. He has supervised many successful research students in both areas and is always interested in enquiries concerning future research.
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February 19, 2023
This was an incredibly detailed review of everything we know about the Anglo-Saxon world. The authors also do a wonderful job of helping readers understand how we know what we do about this world. Each major archeological site or written source is explored in detail. However, without much knowledge of the field going into the book, I would have done better to read a read a few less specialized or less academic books before going into this.
June 19, 2019
This is an amazing book. It is so full of information that I re-read it again to catch more. Rarely have I experienced anything like that. Seemingly every page had some new factual information that is engaging and enlightening. The organization was great, the writing was crisp and easily digestible, the information is current, the authors carry plenty of expertise. There are hardly any criticisms.
The book flows chronologically from the decline of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest. The eight general chapters roughly correspond to major chronological themes such as Roman Britain, The barbarian invasions, the Vikings, Aethelred's disastrous reign, and the Norman Conquest. These are further subdivided into sections like notable characters, religion, society, and so forth. Each chapter concludes with special sections that feel like appendices but pertinent to the chapters. For example, there is a section on King Arthur following the chapter on Roman Britain. Because the subdivisions in each chapter tend to remain consistent across the eight chapters, I suspect these are major themes that do not fit standard scheme and are thus extras.
The writing is a especially welcome. Higham and Ryan have similar writing styles that is clear, concise, and bereft of academic jargon or theory. They are writing for a lay audience. It is pleasing to see Yale University publish something so clearly oriented towards a non-academic audience. The small subdivisions made reading easier. The text is richly illustrated in color and B/W images. The aesthetics of the book are delightful. Sometimes the images do little to support the text and stand out because there is no clear connection. However, most of the images are not stock photos of the Tower of London or an artist's rendering of a typical motte and bailey castle. One of the few criticisms of the book is that attention is diverted away from the text and towards the illustrations.
The real gem of the book is the holistic view towards the scholarship of the Anglo-Saxon World. Early on, the authors claim that they focus on the latest scholarship. They do that and more. They digest complex concepts such as isotopic investigation of DNA evidence to trace the movement of peoples into smaller passages of text. Maybe they are oversimplifying. However, I think their analysis and presentation is excellent. By combining archeology, written sources, DNA, linguistic (place names, dialects, etc), and even numismatics they present a condensed update on research on the subject.
Just when Medievalists think there is little to be learned from an archeological dig in a Medieval York, Higham and Ryan reveal that the small sampling of finds reveals the outline of Medieval manufacturing and commerce that is otherwise inaccessible to most readers due to the detail and academic writing of the archeologists. The same is true for isotopes, human refuse, and linguistic analysis.
Even when discussing major topics such as King Arthur, Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Domesday Book, or the Bayeux Tapestry, the authors reveal new insights. Pertaining to King Arthur, who knew that the root of the name "Arthur" is Welsh for "Bear Man," referring to a dangerous, yet elusive spirit in the wilderness? Or, that the earliest mention of Arthur was in the Gododdin, a poem about a king from the Scottish Lowlands raiding into Britain? Similarly, who knew that there were multiple versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle that increasingly diverged towards the Norman Conquest? Having read Maitland's Domesday Book (twice), I accepted the general argument that it was designed for tax collection purposes. Higham and Ryan reveal that there are problems with that interpretation. The organization and agricultural detail do not support tax collection purposes. Even with the well-known Bayeux Tapestry, the authors reveal that both the purpose and patron of the artifact is not firmly established. And those items are appendices of the main text.
One of the few criticisms I have with the book is that by focusing so much on the latest research, they skimp out the basic historical narrative. Higham particularly focuses on the scientific detail at the sake of the story. Who, what, when, where are the mysteries of the Dark Ages and the migrations. The chapter on Tribal Chiefs is one of the more interesting. Higham does a good job at describing how research has revealed settlement patterns and lifestyles; but an overall narrative is painfully lacking. His conclusion that Mercia was more of an amalgam of lesser kingdoms and tribes than a solid feudal system like Wessex is fascinating. The fact that kings and Earls of the Hwicce [Tribe] last well into the 10th Century is particularly intriguing. Or the fact that King Penda of Mercia forced a group of smaller tribes / kingdoms into a new kingdom for his son is equally fascinating; but the narrative Higham writes simply drops such tidbits into the text without elaboration. Ryan blends both current scholarship and the historical narrative into a more engaging story. Having read the book twice, I am left wanting to know more about the various tribes and their leaders. Even an illustration of the dynasties running from the 6th through 10th Centuries for the Hwicce would be useful. Although, Higham acknowledges that in some cases, it is assumed that certain figures had ties to the old royal dynasties.
Overall, this is a wonderful book. It is not for everyone. People with a cursory interest in the period will have a hard time going through nearly 450 pages of text - even with the great writing and generous illustrations. Readers curious about the period or even experts in the field will learn something new.
The book flows chronologically from the decline of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest. The eight general chapters roughly correspond to major chronological themes such as Roman Britain, The barbarian invasions, the Vikings, Aethelred's disastrous reign, and the Norman Conquest. These are further subdivided into sections like notable characters, religion, society, and so forth. Each chapter concludes with special sections that feel like appendices but pertinent to the chapters. For example, there is a section on King Arthur following the chapter on Roman Britain. Because the subdivisions in each chapter tend to remain consistent across the eight chapters, I suspect these are major themes that do not fit standard scheme and are thus extras.
The writing is a especially welcome. Higham and Ryan have similar writing styles that is clear, concise, and bereft of academic jargon or theory. They are writing for a lay audience. It is pleasing to see Yale University publish something so clearly oriented towards a non-academic audience. The small subdivisions made reading easier. The text is richly illustrated in color and B/W images. The aesthetics of the book are delightful. Sometimes the images do little to support the text and stand out because there is no clear connection. However, most of the images are not stock photos of the Tower of London or an artist's rendering of a typical motte and bailey castle. One of the few criticisms of the book is that attention is diverted away from the text and towards the illustrations.
The real gem of the book is the holistic view towards the scholarship of the Anglo-Saxon World. Early on, the authors claim that they focus on the latest scholarship. They do that and more. They digest complex concepts such as isotopic investigation of DNA evidence to trace the movement of peoples into smaller passages of text. Maybe they are oversimplifying. However, I think their analysis and presentation is excellent. By combining archeology, written sources, DNA, linguistic (place names, dialects, etc), and even numismatics they present a condensed update on research on the subject.
Just when Medievalists think there is little to be learned from an archeological dig in a Medieval York, Higham and Ryan reveal that the small sampling of finds reveals the outline of Medieval manufacturing and commerce that is otherwise inaccessible to most readers due to the detail and academic writing of the archeologists. The same is true for isotopes, human refuse, and linguistic analysis.
Even when discussing major topics such as King Arthur, Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Domesday Book, or the Bayeux Tapestry, the authors reveal new insights. Pertaining to King Arthur, who knew that the root of the name "Arthur" is Welsh for "Bear Man," referring to a dangerous, yet elusive spirit in the wilderness? Or, that the earliest mention of Arthur was in the Gododdin, a poem about a king from the Scottish Lowlands raiding into Britain? Similarly, who knew that there were multiple versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle that increasingly diverged towards the Norman Conquest? Having read Maitland's Domesday Book (twice), I accepted the general argument that it was designed for tax collection purposes. Higham and Ryan reveal that there are problems with that interpretation. The organization and agricultural detail do not support tax collection purposes. Even with the well-known Bayeux Tapestry, the authors reveal that both the purpose and patron of the artifact is not firmly established. And those items are appendices of the main text.
One of the few criticisms I have with the book is that by focusing so much on the latest research, they skimp out the basic historical narrative. Higham particularly focuses on the scientific detail at the sake of the story. Who, what, when, where are the mysteries of the Dark Ages and the migrations. The chapter on Tribal Chiefs is one of the more interesting. Higham does a good job at describing how research has revealed settlement patterns and lifestyles; but an overall narrative is painfully lacking. His conclusion that Mercia was more of an amalgam of lesser kingdoms and tribes than a solid feudal system like Wessex is fascinating. The fact that kings and Earls of the Hwicce [Tribe] last well into the 10th Century is particularly intriguing. Or the fact that King Penda of Mercia forced a group of smaller tribes / kingdoms into a new kingdom for his son is equally fascinating; but the narrative Higham writes simply drops such tidbits into the text without elaboration. Ryan blends both current scholarship and the historical narrative into a more engaging story. Having read the book twice, I am left wanting to know more about the various tribes and their leaders. Even an illustration of the dynasties running from the 6th through 10th Centuries for the Hwicce would be useful. Although, Higham acknowledges that in some cases, it is assumed that certain figures had ties to the old royal dynasties.
Overall, this is a wonderful book. It is not for everyone. People with a cursory interest in the period will have a hard time going through nearly 450 pages of text - even with the great writing and generous illustrations. Readers curious about the period or even experts in the field will learn something new.
March 4, 2026
A Monumental Survey of an Understudied Age
Nicholas J. Higham and Martin J. Ryan’s The Anglo-Saxon World is one of the most ambitious and wide-ranging treatments of early medieval Britain published in recent decades. Rather than a traditional narrative strictly from point A to point B, it’s an illustrated academic synthesis, drawing on archaeology, linguistic studies, genetics, numismatics, art history, and textual sources to compose a fuller picture of the period stretching from the withdrawal of Roman authority in Britain (c. 410 CE) through to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The book underscores how deeply this era shaped England’s future — from the emergence of new ethnic and political identities to the birth of the English language, the spread of Christianity, and the political consolidation of disparate Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
1. Setting the Stage: From Roman Rule to Post-Roman Transition
The opening section situates readers in a Britain that, for centuries, had been a Roman province: administrative structures, towns, roads, and written documents tied into a vast imperial network. But with the withdrawal of Roman troops and officials in the early fifth century, Britain entered a period of political vacuum and transformation. Higham and Ryan explore how this vacuum was filled by a patchwork of local British leaders, alongside incoming Anglian, Saxon, and Jutish groups from continental Europe.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this transitional period is how myth and memory blur with history — an issue the authors address by comparing archaeological evidence with later sources (like Gildas and Bede) that are partisan, retrospective, and sometimes contradictory. The book wrestles with this ambiguity honestly, making readers aware of the limits and possibilities of early medieval evidence.
Interesting Fact: Contrary to the old stereotype of “dark ages,” this wasn’t a stagnant era. Trade continued, craft specialization evolved, and regional power centers emerged across England.
2. The Origins of England: Kingdoms and Cultures Emerge
Chapters on the origins of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms chart how a mosaic of polities — from Kent and Wessex in the south to Northumbria in the far north — developed their own identities. Higham and Ryan pay close attention not just to battles and successions but also to cultural synthesis: how Roman legacy, Romanized Britons, native Britons, and incoming Germanic groups blended in various ways.
There’s a strong thematic focus on ethnogenesis — how groups like the “English” came to be perceived as such — whether through settlement, intermarriage, shared religion, or political dominance. Crucially, this isn’t framed as a simple “invasion,” but as a complex set of migrations and cultural negotiations.
Interesting Fact: The book points out that what we call the “Anglo-Saxon” world was not culturally monolithic — dialects, burial customs, material culture, and even art styles varied significantly across regions.
3. Kings, Christianity, and Cultural Flourishing
Higham and Ryan give considerable space to how Christianity spread and reshaped society. Figures such as Saint Augustine of Canterbury, who began the mission to convert the Anglo-Saxons in the late sixth century, and the Venerable Bede, whose Ecclesiastical History remains a cornerstone source, are central to this narrative. Christianity’s rise realigned Britain politically and culturally, connecting it more explicitly with the continent and establishing monastic schools that became hubs of learning.
The authors balance religious history with secular developments: law codes, royal administration, art and sculpture, coinage, and vernacular literature (including Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle) all get detailed attention. This section underscores how this era gave lasting institutions to England — including a Christian clerical culture and vernacular literacy.
Interesting Fact: The Sutton Hoo burial (an early 7th-century ship burial rich with artifacts) is emblematic of this era’s wealth and cross-cultural influences — suggesting elite networks that spanned the North Sea and continental Europe.
4. Vikings, Mercia, Wessex and Shifting Powers
The narrative then moves into the mid-to-late Anglo-Saxon period, when Viking incursions and settlements reshaped the political map. Kingdoms like Mercia experienced periods of dominance, but by the ninth century, it was Wessex under Alfred the Great that would counter Danish advances most effectively.
Chapters on this phase explore how military innovation, diplomacy, and cultural adaptation helped some Anglo-Saxon kingdoms survive and even thrive amid external pressures. Alfred’s reforms in law, military organization, and education become symbolic of a new concept of English unity.
Interesting Fact: The Viking Age wasn’t just raiding; many Norse groups settled, farmed, married locally, and integrated into Anglo-Saxon society to varied degrees.
5. The Road to 1066: Consolidation and Conquest
The final stretch of the book surveys how the kingdoms — now increasingly united under West Saxon kings — transitioned into a late Anglo-Saxon polity with an increasingly centralized administration. Figures like Æthelred the Unready, Cnut, and Edward the Confessor frame this era’s turbulent dynastic politics.
The culmination is the Norman Conquest in 1066, a seismic rupture that ended the Anglo-Saxon political order and ushered in Norman rule — and with it, a transformed English aristocracy, legal system, and language influences.
Strengths and Limits
Higham and Ryan’s work is strongest as a multidisciplinary synthesis: it situates familiar historical landmarks within rich cultural, archaeological, and environmental contexts. The maps, genealogies, and illustrations are particularly valuable for visualizing shifting boundaries, settlement patterns, and political landscapes.
However, some readers may find the scholarly tone and density — especially early on — challenging. A few reviewers note that the book sometimes avoids simple narrative in favor of essays on themes, which can interrupt the flow for readers seeking a straight chronological storyline.
Conclusion: A Definitive Reference on Early England
Overall, The Anglo-Saxon World stands as an authoritative and expansive exploration of one of Britain’s most formative periods. Spanning Roman withdrawal to Norman takeover, it unpacks how centuries of cultural exchange, warfare, religious transformation, and political evolution laid the groundwork for what England would become. Whether you’re a history student, medieval enthusiast, or specialist researcher, this book is both a map and guide to the Anglo-Saxon era that influenced the foundations of modern Britain.
Nicholas J. Higham and Martin J. Ryan’s The Anglo-Saxon World is one of the most ambitious and wide-ranging treatments of early medieval Britain published in recent decades. Rather than a traditional narrative strictly from point A to point B, it’s an illustrated academic synthesis, drawing on archaeology, linguistic studies, genetics, numismatics, art history, and textual sources to compose a fuller picture of the period stretching from the withdrawal of Roman authority in Britain (c. 410 CE) through to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The book underscores how deeply this era shaped England’s future — from the emergence of new ethnic and political identities to the birth of the English language, the spread of Christianity, and the political consolidation of disparate Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
1. Setting the Stage: From Roman Rule to Post-Roman Transition
The opening section situates readers in a Britain that, for centuries, had been a Roman province: administrative structures, towns, roads, and written documents tied into a vast imperial network. But with the withdrawal of Roman troops and officials in the early fifth century, Britain entered a period of political vacuum and transformation. Higham and Ryan explore how this vacuum was filled by a patchwork of local British leaders, alongside incoming Anglian, Saxon, and Jutish groups from continental Europe.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this transitional period is how myth and memory blur with history — an issue the authors address by comparing archaeological evidence with later sources (like Gildas and Bede) that are partisan, retrospective, and sometimes contradictory. The book wrestles with this ambiguity honestly, making readers aware of the limits and possibilities of early medieval evidence.
Interesting Fact: Contrary to the old stereotype of “dark ages,” this wasn’t a stagnant era. Trade continued, craft specialization evolved, and regional power centers emerged across England.
2. The Origins of England: Kingdoms and Cultures Emerge
Chapters on the origins of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms chart how a mosaic of polities — from Kent and Wessex in the south to Northumbria in the far north — developed their own identities. Higham and Ryan pay close attention not just to battles and successions but also to cultural synthesis: how Roman legacy, Romanized Britons, native Britons, and incoming Germanic groups blended in various ways.
There’s a strong thematic focus on ethnogenesis — how groups like the “English” came to be perceived as such — whether through settlement, intermarriage, shared religion, or political dominance. Crucially, this isn’t framed as a simple “invasion,” but as a complex set of migrations and cultural negotiations.
Interesting Fact: The book points out that what we call the “Anglo-Saxon” world was not culturally monolithic — dialects, burial customs, material culture, and even art styles varied significantly across regions.
3. Kings, Christianity, and Cultural Flourishing
Higham and Ryan give considerable space to how Christianity spread and reshaped society. Figures such as Saint Augustine of Canterbury, who began the mission to convert the Anglo-Saxons in the late sixth century, and the Venerable Bede, whose Ecclesiastical History remains a cornerstone source, are central to this narrative. Christianity’s rise realigned Britain politically and culturally, connecting it more explicitly with the continent and establishing monastic schools that became hubs of learning.
The authors balance religious history with secular developments: law codes, royal administration, art and sculpture, coinage, and vernacular literature (including Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle) all get detailed attention. This section underscores how this era gave lasting institutions to England — including a Christian clerical culture and vernacular literacy.
Interesting Fact: The Sutton Hoo burial (an early 7th-century ship burial rich with artifacts) is emblematic of this era’s wealth and cross-cultural influences — suggesting elite networks that spanned the North Sea and continental Europe.
4. Vikings, Mercia, Wessex and Shifting Powers
The narrative then moves into the mid-to-late Anglo-Saxon period, when Viking incursions and settlements reshaped the political map. Kingdoms like Mercia experienced periods of dominance, but by the ninth century, it was Wessex under Alfred the Great that would counter Danish advances most effectively.
Chapters on this phase explore how military innovation, diplomacy, and cultural adaptation helped some Anglo-Saxon kingdoms survive and even thrive amid external pressures. Alfred’s reforms in law, military organization, and education become symbolic of a new concept of English unity.
Interesting Fact: The Viking Age wasn’t just raiding; many Norse groups settled, farmed, married locally, and integrated into Anglo-Saxon society to varied degrees.
5. The Road to 1066: Consolidation and Conquest
The final stretch of the book surveys how the kingdoms — now increasingly united under West Saxon kings — transitioned into a late Anglo-Saxon polity with an increasingly centralized administration. Figures like Æthelred the Unready, Cnut, and Edward the Confessor frame this era’s turbulent dynastic politics.
The culmination is the Norman Conquest in 1066, a seismic rupture that ended the Anglo-Saxon political order and ushered in Norman rule — and with it, a transformed English aristocracy, legal system, and language influences.
Strengths and Limits
Higham and Ryan’s work is strongest as a multidisciplinary synthesis: it situates familiar historical landmarks within rich cultural, archaeological, and environmental contexts. The maps, genealogies, and illustrations are particularly valuable for visualizing shifting boundaries, settlement patterns, and political landscapes.
However, some readers may find the scholarly tone and density — especially early on — challenging. A few reviewers note that the book sometimes avoids simple narrative in favor of essays on themes, which can interrupt the flow for readers seeking a straight chronological storyline.
Conclusion: A Definitive Reference on Early England
Overall, The Anglo-Saxon World stands as an authoritative and expansive exploration of one of Britain’s most formative periods. Spanning Roman withdrawal to Norman takeover, it unpacks how centuries of cultural exchange, warfare, religious transformation, and political evolution laid the groundwork for what England would become. Whether you’re a history student, medieval enthusiast, or specialist researcher, this book is both a map and guide to the Anglo-Saxon era that influenced the foundations of modern Britain.
August 16, 2020
Expected to skim this and spend most of my time on the photos and maps but it is well done (probably worth more than the 3 stars that I gave it, based just on my enjoyment of the book). I have gotten interested in this period of English history from planning for a (cancelled) trip to southern England, old Wessex, and reading the Bernard Cornwell historical novel series about the Saxons.
Half-way between a popular and an academic history. A fascinating time of change, violence, human migration, and finally conquest. After two centuries of fighting the Vikings and Danes, the Normans ended the Anglo-Saxon world with one lucky battle.
I liked the different possible historical interpretations of events & people. Maps were great, as were photos of landscapes, the few surviving Anglo Saxon buildings, and the items found in digs such as famous Sutton Hoo. My favorite chapter was probably the last one about the Bayeux Tapestry. Worth the time spent on this!
Half-way between a popular and an academic history. A fascinating time of change, violence, human migration, and finally conquest. After two centuries of fighting the Vikings and Danes, the Normans ended the Anglo-Saxon world with one lucky battle.
I liked the different possible historical interpretations of events & people. Maps were great, as were photos of landscapes, the few surviving Anglo Saxon buildings, and the items found in digs such as famous Sutton Hoo. My favorite chapter was probably the last one about the Bayeux Tapestry. Worth the time spent on this!
October 18, 2014
Skimming the other reviews, I see I'm just adding to the consensus, but this really is the best one-volume introduction to the Anglo-Saxon world around - not cheap, but worth every penny. Nick Higham's writing style has improved immensely since he wrote The Kingdom of Northumbria A.D. 3501100 (my go-to guide when working on Edwin High King of Britain and now Oswald: Return of the King), and he now combines engaging prose with his immense knowledge of the subject. Really, no criticisms; if you want to learn about the history and culture of the Early Medieval Period in Britain, read this book.
May 20, 2023
Pretty dense academic text; detailed and scrupulously researched and written; at times the authors wander aimlessly in minutiae singled out from what is in the greater scheme of things an interesting historical narrative.
January 3, 2021
This book was recommended by someone who’s judgement I trust. It is far from an easy read, but it draws all the disciplines together and so is for anyone really interested in being brought up to date on current Anglo-Saxon scholarship.
December 30, 2024
An incredible account of the Anglo-Saxon world. No stone is left unturned with this history of the Anglo-Saxons and is an excellent starting point for understanding the period in which they occupied. A must read for all those interested in this era of English history.
October 25, 2020
Having studied the Anglo-Saxon period many years ago, I decided to start again with a general history. Much has changed since the time when Frank Stenton's "Anglo-Saxon England" was the 'big' book to read. Higham and Ryan introduce a whole tranche of developments in a variety of disciplines that barely existed, if at all, all these years ago. Adding new approaches and opening new avenues for study as they do, none, yet, have fully answered the big questions. Indeed, they've made the picture much more complex and interesting.
For the vast majority of the text, I felt engaged and ha d pretty clear picture of what was going on. Occasionally, I'd have enjoyed a slightly clearer explanation of some of the archaeology - but that is probably me. In any case, re-reading was not a problem.
I found the coverage wonderfully broad, well-illustrated with more detailed insights. These have encouraged me to identify a number of other texts to pursue specialist areas. In that sense, I found the book inspirational. Importantly, there's a lengthy bibliography. Good to see some old favourites are still there! And there's the wonderful thing - although new evidence has challenged some long-held ideas, they have sometimes offered support. And, given the development of the study of genetics and occasional archaeological discoveries, there' much more to come.
The maps and photos are very useful, although I'd like to see some of the map symbols made a little clearer. Even so, they are particularly good at showing general distribution, for example, of archaeological finds. They offer very good support to the text - as one would hope.
Whilst the book satisfied my desire for a great introduction, were I seeking to go no further there'd still be plenty here to give me a good understanding of the complexity of the period and Anglo-Saxon society, the development of government, etc. It is easy to try and lump the Anglo-Saxon period into one. That cannot be done. One of the successes of a book like this is its scope; geographical, political, social, as well as chronological. Maintaining balance must have been a challenge, but it is particularly rewarding to see, for example, the international political influences at work in eleventh century English politics given due perspective in a general history.
Overall, I found this an enjoyable, informative volume, which, as far as I can see, is currently unrivalled as a stimulating and thorough academic introduction to the Anglo-Saxon, or Early Medieval period, in what became England. Seems, to me to be as good as you will get.
For the vast majority of the text, I felt engaged and ha d pretty clear picture of what was going on. Occasionally, I'd have enjoyed a slightly clearer explanation of some of the archaeology - but that is probably me. In any case, re-reading was not a problem.
I found the coverage wonderfully broad, well-illustrated with more detailed insights. These have encouraged me to identify a number of other texts to pursue specialist areas. In that sense, I found the book inspirational. Importantly, there's a lengthy bibliography. Good to see some old favourites are still there! And there's the wonderful thing - although new evidence has challenged some long-held ideas, they have sometimes offered support. And, given the development of the study of genetics and occasional archaeological discoveries, there' much more to come.
The maps and photos are very useful, although I'd like to see some of the map symbols made a little clearer. Even so, they are particularly good at showing general distribution, for example, of archaeological finds. They offer very good support to the text - as one would hope.
Whilst the book satisfied my desire for a great introduction, were I seeking to go no further there'd still be plenty here to give me a good understanding of the complexity of the period and Anglo-Saxon society, the development of government, etc. It is easy to try and lump the Anglo-Saxon period into one. That cannot be done. One of the successes of a book like this is its scope; geographical, political, social, as well as chronological. Maintaining balance must have been a challenge, but it is particularly rewarding to see, for example, the international political influences at work in eleventh century English politics given due perspective in a general history.
Overall, I found this an enjoyable, informative volume, which, as far as I can see, is currently unrivalled as a stimulating and thorough academic introduction to the Anglo-Saxon, or Early Medieval period, in what became England. Seems, to me to be as good as you will get.
January 20, 2015
Higham’s and Ryan’s “The Anglo-Saxon World” is a marvelous text that lies between popular history and technical history. If you’re the type who likes well-told stories, then it’s probably not for you. But if you want a solid, comprehensive, overview of the current state of Anglo-Saxon historical scholarship then this is definitely the book to own. A particular strength of the work is noting differing opinions on various matters and then offering their own informed judgments. I also really like the “sources and issues” scattered throughout. These are generally short chapters inserted between the topics that are almost like embedded appendices for further detail.
May 20, 2021
This tome sways more towards archaeology than history and, as a result, I found it hard to digest. In fact, I skipped many pages because the narrative didn’t hold my attention.
I saw no point in the first chapter about Roman Britain, so skipped this entirely. It’s not what I expected to encounter in a book about Anglo-Saxons, plus Roman Britain is the period of my country’s history that I’m least interested in.
The introduction hooked me 100 per cent, and I thought I was in store for a great read, but it turned out otherwise. Sections here and there caught my interest, and scanning the other reviews, I see I’m in the minority with my opinion.
I saw no point in the first chapter about Roman Britain, so skipped this entirely. It’s not what I expected to encounter in a book about Anglo-Saxons, plus Roman Britain is the period of my country’s history that I’m least interested in.
The introduction hooked me 100 per cent, and I thought I was in store for a great read, but it turned out otherwise. Sections here and there caught my interest, and scanning the other reviews, I see I’m in the minority with my opinion.
November 14, 2013
read this along with Cornwell's Saxon series. well researched, recommend to anyone interested in this part of English history. Nice to have the history to refer to altho the series stays close to it and gives it "color".
May 28, 2020
Is this book the easiest introduction to the Anglo Saxons? No.
Is this book the most comprehensive introduction to the Anglo Saxons? No.
And that is why it is brilliant. Nicholas Higham and Martin Ryan have managed to write a comprehensible AND comprehensive. They split the book into narrative chapters exploring the 'history' of the Anglo Saxon period. In between are shorter chapters exploring elements of evidence.
This decision allows the reader to understand not just the narrative of the Anglo Saxon period but also the evidence. It is a great book not just for telling you what happened, but why we think it happened, and the limitations of the sources preventing us from knowing more.
All that said, I do have two criticisms. First of all, the shape of the book. They've made it so that they can fit in as many gorgeous pictures as possible as well as providing ample margins for marginalia, which is appropriate considering how important marginalia was in the medieval period. However, because it is fat, heavy and square, it is physically difficult to read.
Second of all, Martin Ryan, in particular, shifts the book in its later stages to a much more historical approach. The book still subscribes to a view that archaeology 'fills' in the gaps. That should not be the case. This means that the development of towns and the developments in material culture are ignored for the political narrative.
If I could give this book 4.5 stars, I would. The choices are understandable. I believe it is a must-read for all those who want to know more about the Anglo Saxon period and the cultural foundations of England and the USA.
Is this book the most comprehensive introduction to the Anglo Saxons? No.
And that is why it is brilliant. Nicholas Higham and Martin Ryan have managed to write a comprehensible AND comprehensive. They split the book into narrative chapters exploring the 'history' of the Anglo Saxon period. In between are shorter chapters exploring elements of evidence.
This decision allows the reader to understand not just the narrative of the Anglo Saxon period but also the evidence. It is a great book not just for telling you what happened, but why we think it happened, and the limitations of the sources preventing us from knowing more.
All that said, I do have two criticisms. First of all, the shape of the book. They've made it so that they can fit in as many gorgeous pictures as possible as well as providing ample margins for marginalia, which is appropriate considering how important marginalia was in the medieval period. However, because it is fat, heavy and square, it is physically difficult to read.
Second of all, Martin Ryan, in particular, shifts the book in its later stages to a much more historical approach. The book still subscribes to a view that archaeology 'fills' in the gaps. That should not be the case. This means that the development of towns and the developments in material culture are ignored for the political narrative.
If I could give this book 4.5 stars, I would. The choices are understandable. I believe it is a must-read for all those who want to know more about the Anglo Saxon period and the cultural foundations of England and the USA.
May 12, 2017
The “dark ages” are an interesting period and I was curious to learn something more about it.
The book is quite voluminous (440 pages) and well-illustrated. It gives an up to date overview of what we know about this obscure time in history. The latest findings of different sciences that can help the historians are explained. At regular intervals, the authors have inserted articles about special topics like the Domesday Book, the Anglo-Saxons Chronicles or some interesting excavations. All by all pleasant reading.
The only problem is that the authors seem to be afraid of possible critics from their colleagues. They are very cautious not to mention data that could be discussed. E.g. nowhere you will find a map with an overview of the different kingdoms. Not even a chronological overview of the different kings in the most important kingdoms is given. For a book that is aimed at a more general public, this is a flaw.
Remains the question, what we have learned by the end of the day. The answer is: very little. The more science tries to shed light on this dark period, the more confusing it becomes! But for that the authors are not to blame.
The book is quite voluminous (440 pages) and well-illustrated. It gives an up to date overview of what we know about this obscure time in history. The latest findings of different sciences that can help the historians are explained. At regular intervals, the authors have inserted articles about special topics like the Domesday Book, the Anglo-Saxons Chronicles or some interesting excavations. All by all pleasant reading.
The only problem is that the authors seem to be afraid of possible critics from their colleagues. They are very cautious not to mention data that could be discussed. E.g. nowhere you will find a map with an overview of the different kingdoms. Not even a chronological overview of the different kings in the most important kingdoms is given. For a book that is aimed at a more general public, this is a flaw.
Remains the question, what we have learned by the end of the day. The answer is: very little. The more science tries to shed light on this dark period, the more confusing it becomes! But for that the authors are not to blame.
October 17, 2024
This is far from a narrative history, so if that's what you're expecting, look elsewhere. Instead, it's a chronological exploration of what we know, can know, and how we know it from the fall of Roman Britain to the Norman Conquest. This contains a narrative, but focuses far more on how much we can trust that narrative, based on the sources (including archaeological ones). It would have been very useful to have when I was studying this back at A-level...
This makes it a superb counter to the Max Adams school of early English history, where thick books of speculation are woven out of sparse evidence to create engaging narratives that are more works of fiction than history. It also makes it an amusing read after watching the likes of The Last Kingdom or Vikings, with all the historical liberties they take.
Given how unclear it all is, TBH I found myself appreciating these more speculative accounts of the period even more. Hell, I may even go back to Max Adams, having previously given up in frustration at how little support there was for most of what he was writing about in The King in the North and The First Kingdom.
This makes it a superb counter to the Max Adams school of early English history, where thick books of speculation are woven out of sparse evidence to create engaging narratives that are more works of fiction than history. It also makes it an amusing read after watching the likes of The Last Kingdom or Vikings, with all the historical liberties they take.
Given how unclear it all is, TBH I found myself appreciating these more speculative accounts of the period even more. Hell, I may even go back to Max Adams, having previously given up in frustration at how little support there was for most of what he was writing about in The King in the North and The First Kingdom.
August 13, 2017
My only complaint about this book is that I wish there was more detail - which is not to say it was short on detail at all! I have searched long and hard for a definitive history of post-Roman, pre-conquest Britain, and I am delighted that I have finally found it.
Chronologically organized with supplemental sections on sources and on particular institutions, the authors include a wealth of names, relationships, and explanations about the development and change of Anglo-Saxon society and institutions in Britain. The photographs include maps, diagrams of archeological sites and gorgeous full-color plates of artifacts, buildings, landscapes, archaeological sites, and art.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Anglo-Saxon England.
Chronologically organized with supplemental sections on sources and on particular institutions, the authors include a wealth of names, relationships, and explanations about the development and change of Anglo-Saxon society and institutions in Britain. The photographs include maps, diagrams of archeological sites and gorgeous full-color plates of artifacts, buildings, landscapes, archaeological sites, and art.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Anglo-Saxon England.
September 16, 2022
This book is very informative and comprehensive, but I found it rather dull, mostly because I have no interest in archeology and digging up graves and carbon dating. As a history book it is more focused on the physical evidence than interpreting ideology or ideas at a wider scale, and that's probably a good thing? Each chapter has an accompanying section on 'Sources and Their Issues'. I have learned a lot but I'm glad to be done with it.
The only objective critique I can think of is in regards to the unsettlingly colonial and white supremacist tone that cropped up every now and then, especially at the ends of chapters, trying to be poignant and patriotic.
The only objective critique I can think of is in regards to the unsettlingly colonial and white supremacist tone that cropped up every now and then, especially at the ends of chapters, trying to be poignant and patriotic.
June 14, 2020
An eminently readable, thorough and fascinating insight into the Anglo Saxon World. The former Dark Ages, being dark no more, throw up an intriguing interweaving of the history of Britain immediately following the Roman occupation. An earlier absence of scholarship in this area has given way to in depth analysis of the foundation of the kingdoms we know today. The book throws up many questions and invites reflection into the differing strands that made up society then and how these are reflected in the 21st century.
January 29, 2021
This has to be one of the most engaging introductions to “pre-England,” Roman, and Anglo-Saxon Britain. Astounding archeological and ethnographic data on the transition of tribal chieftains to Christian kings and the passing of the entire Anglo-Saxon culture to that of the Norman making of England. There is so much to learn about how Britain, in all its desperate parts, came to be; this book is a good station along the way.
June 23, 2022
This was an absolutely fascinating book. It delves in detail the transition of the inhabitants of England from the end of the Roman empire, through the influx of the Saxons and the Vikings and the impact of the Norman conquest. It is very thorough researched and the topics and the sources discussed. The many photos and maps were very helpful too. The writing was very easy to read and engaging. Great book!
May 11, 2023
3.5 Stars
This is a great academic source that goes deeply into how and why we know what we know on this era of history. However, I prefer more connections and storytelling than this provides. It often falls to listing facts, which is quite dry. Is that fair? Maybe not, but that's my take.
This is a great academic source that goes deeply into how and why we know what we know on this era of history. However, I prefer more connections and storytelling than this provides. It often falls to listing facts, which is quite dry. Is that fair? Maybe not, but that's my take.
June 15, 2023
It's good, it's informative, it weighs about 10 lbs and I gave up around 900 A.D. This is not a critique, it's just incredibly detailed, takes effort to get through, and after 6+ weeks the library wants it back.
May 7, 2019
Excellent resource on Anglo Saxon England.
May 29, 2019
Highly informative work. It doesn't read like a novel, but it's still way easier and more fun to read than most textbooks with this information density. Contains great images as well.
January 14, 2020
A superb work of scholarship. Deeply researched, very well written, balanced, informative, fascinating. Assumes a knowledge of UK geographic minutiae which this non UK reader found challenging.
December 4, 2020
A fantastic review of the the Anglo-Saxon world - highly recommended.
March 8, 2021
Its a coffee table book with beautiful photos and gives insight into an era of English history not often written about
December 11, 2021
Dense. Academic.
August 8, 2022
Probably 4.5!
Lots of details and analysis. But somehow reads more like a textbook than a history book usually does. Definitely worth a read.
Lots of details and analysis. But somehow reads more like a textbook than a history book usually does. Definitely worth a read.
August 11, 2022
Truly fascinating part of history. learnt alot - probably need to re-read to get more info to sink permanently into my poor tired brain!
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