Early Medieval Britain, c. 500–1000

Deconstructs the early history of Britain, illustrating a transformative era with wide-ranging sources and an accessible narrative.

Rory Naismith (Author)

9781108424448, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 July 2021

490 pages
25.3 x 18 x 2.7 cm, 1.1 kg

'Students and scholars have been crying out for a well-informed and enticing history of early medieval Britain, which treats the whole island rather than selected parts of it. Rory Naismith has given us precisely that. He has also produced a significant work of scholarship, for this is a wonderfully rich book, which is written with confident command of a diverse array of sources and contains many new insights as well as a lucid survey. Anyone reading it should emerge not only confidently equipped but also inspired to explore the period further.' Stephen Baxter, University of Oxford

Early medieval Britain saw the birth of England, Scotland and of the Welsh kingdoms. Naismith's introductory textbook explores the period between the end of Roman rule and the eve of the Norman Conquest, blending an engaging narrative with clear explanations of key themes and sources. Using extensive illustrations, maps and selections from primary sources, students will examine the island as a collective entity, comparing political histories and institutions as well as societies, beliefs and economies. Each chapter foregrounds questions of identity and the meaning of 'Britain' in this period, encouraging interrogation and contextualisation of sources within the framework of the latest debates and problems. Featuring online resources including timelines, a glossary, end-of-chapter questions and suggestions for further reading, students can drive their own understanding of how the polities and societies of early medieval Britain fitted together and into the wider world, and firmly grasp the formative stages of British history.

Preface and Acknowledgements
List of Source Boxes
List of Methods and Analysis Boxes
List of Illustrations
List of Maps
1. Introduction
Part I. Conceiving Early Medieval Britain: 2. An Island in the Ocean: The Idea of Britain
3. On the Edge of the World: Britain and Europe
4. Legend, Myth and History
5. Migrations and Peoples
6. Fragments of the Past
Part II. Making Early Medieval Britain: 7. Britain c. 500
8. 'Fertile of Tyrants': Britain 500–650
9. 'What the Outcome Will Be, a Future Age Will See': Britain 650–850
10. 'God Help Us!': Britain 850–1000
Part III. Living in Early Medieval Britain: 11. Kingship in Action
12. Building a Christian Society
13. Maintaining Belief: The Church as an Institution
14. Family, Friend, Lord, Slave: The Basis of Society
15. Land, People and Settlement
16. Getting and Giving: Acts and Settings of Exchange
17. Language and Communication
18. 'As Far as the Cold Waves Reach': Conclusion
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Medieval European archaeology [HDDM], Social & cultural history [HBTB], Medieval history [HBLC1], British & Irish history [HBJD1], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]