The History of the Anglo-Saxons

Published 1799–1805, this four-volume work was a benchmark in Anglo-Saxon studies, drawing on manuscripts in the British Museum.

Sharon Turner (Author)

9781108082037, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 March 2018

422 pages
21.9 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.53 kg

Sharon Turner (1768–1847) practised as a solicitor in London, specialising in the law of copyright, but devoted his free time to studying Anglo-Saxon literature and history. In 1799–1805 he published this four-volume work, still acknowledged as a turning point in Anglo-Saxon studies and a benchmark in historiography. Turner was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1800, soon after the first volume appeared. His approach of contrasting 'Anglo-Saxon freedom' with 'the Norman yoke' held particular appeal at a time of deteriorating political relations with France. Turner's lasting achievement, however, was to draw public attention to the rich and fascinating material contained in the Anglo-Saxon manuscripts he had studied at the British Museum. This work went through many editions, but was eventually superseded by Kemble's The Saxons in England (1849, also reissued). Volume 3 (1801) covers the later Anglo-Saxon period, from 899 to 1066.

Part VI: 1. The reign of Edward the Elder
2. The reign of Althelstan
3. Sketch of the ancient history of Bretagne, and Athelstan's reception of its chiefs
4. Athelstan's connections with France, Germany, Norway, and Normandy
5. Athelstan improves Exeter
6. reign of Edmund the Elder
7. Reign of Edred
8. The life of Dunstan to the accession of Edwy
9. The reign of Edwin
10. The reign of Edgar
11. Edward the Martyr
12. The reign of Ethelred the Unready
13. A view of the last scene of northern piracy
14. Ethelred the Unready
15. The reign of Edmund Ironside
16. The reign of Canute the Great
17. The reign of Harold the First
18. The reign of Hardicanute
19. The reign of Edward the Confessor
20. The reign of Harold the Second.

Subject Areas: British & Irish history [HBJD1]