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Too often dismissed as the unready king, unprepared, ill-advised, and incapable of dealing with the military and political crises that faced the Anglo-Saxon kingdom, not least of which were a series of Viking onslaughts, King Aethelred has gone down in history as an incompetent failure. This new biography redresses the balance, placing Aethelred into his proper historical context. Illustrated and including original reconstruction paintings, this study gives an insight into the turbulent politics of a 38-year reign and addresses the manner in which King Aethelred used his authority as a medieval English monarch.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have to admit, after years of reading stuffy texts about this period, I welcomed this publication with open arms. It is a really enjoyable book to read, and it does not compromise historical fact. This is the best book I have read in over 40 years. This book has pushed historiography forward, and I am sure it will inspire more people to write about and study this period.
35 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Aethelred `the Unready' (more accurately, `the ill-advised'), has a reputation for idleness and cowardice which Ryan Lavelle sets out to challenge. He shows how even a small change in perspective produces a very different picture of a king who reigned for 38 years. It is true that within a year of his death a foreign, Danish dynasty was established on his throne, but to judge Aethelred's reign merely from its outcome is misleading. Dr Lavelle sets Aethelred's reign in the context of his predecessors' achievement, no less than the creation of the kingdom of England, and shows how Aethelred maintained and built upon his inheritance. In the process, Dr Lavelle demonstrates that Aethelred's England, far from being a backwater, was an integral part of European political and social life. The book is lavishly illustrated and equipped with a useful glossary. While it can be read with profit by undergraduates and others on history courses, the clear and readable style, refreshingly free from jargon, makes the book available to anyone with an interest in history. Dr Lavelle is to be congratulated on having produced an excellent survey, not just of the reign of Aethelred, but also of English, and indeed European history at the turn of the first millenium.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a critical, balanced and endlessly fascinating account of a fairly unkown King. A totally fascinating and impressive achievement. I do hope that Lavelle writes another book soon.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An Insight into the Lifestyle of a 10th century Monarch
Oh how I wish history books had been written like this when I was at school. All those dreary tomes that I remember having to wade through for history examinations. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2008 by J. Chippindale
Too busy to be unraedy ?
I found this quite easy to read and even handed in its opinions and conclusions. I do disagree with the other reviewers who think it is wonderful, as it just didn't bring Aethelred... Read more
Published on 3 July 2006 by FRS
Stunning!
One of the many pleasures of this book, by one of the most prolific, creative and influential historians of the past twenty years, is how thoroughly it demonstrates the jagged,... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2005 by Elle van Yarl
A well researched and hard-headed portrait.
A splendidly thorough and compellingly written account. Lavelle is to be congratulated not only for his diligence in sifting fact from fiction, but also in resisting the estoteric... Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2004 by "walter_e_s_medecroft91967"
Aethelred - In the Flesh
Well done to the author. A book that gives a full insight into the life of this King. The attention to detail of the text is amazing. Read more
Published on 29 May 2004 by A Williams
Re: John West's review: an erratum
I believe I am the "A. H. McKinstrey" referred to in John West's article. Readers, please note that my surname is spelt "McKinstry" and that I am a humble antiquarian, not a... Read more
Published on 24 May 2004 by Alexander McKinstry
Aethelred - Finally put to bed.
With an immense degree of mastery, Lavelle has produced a definitive publication; apropos this medieval monarch. Read more
Published on 6 May 2004 by J West
Aethelred the Well-Read
Alighting on this redoubtably worthy tome in our local bibliophiles' outlet, we were thoroughly gripped - nay, moistened - by the swathes of doughty epistemological discourse which... Read more
Published on 4 May 2004 by Jon L'Page
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