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Product Description
The first millennium in British history, a period framed by two invasions and conquests from across the Channel, is given a fresh portrayal in this innovative new account. It is the first time that Britain has been studied over the entire first millennium - or what might be called the `long' first millennium, from the middle of the first century BC until the end of the eleventh century AD.
It was a fundamental period for the historical and cultural development of Britain. The incomplete nature of the Roman Conquest lies behind the separate development of Ireland and northern Scotland, and perhaps Wales. The events of the fifth and sixth centuries, the so-called Migration Period, led to the re-making of the linguistic map. The arrival of Christianity was a major unifying event of the period in cultural terms. The arrival of the Vikings ultimately brought about the unification of the English kingdom, and aided in the unification of the kingdom of Scotland, the two most significant political developments of the latter part of the period, while the Norman Conquest inextricably tied subsequent medieval English monarchs into the politics of France.
It was a fundamental period for the historical and cultural development of Britain. The incomplete nature of the Roman Conquest lies behind the separate development of Ireland and northern Scotland, and perhaps Wales. The events of the fifth and sixth centuries, the so-called Migration Period, led to the re-making of the linguistic map. The arrival of Christianity was a major unifying event of the period in cultural terms. The arrival of the Vikings ultimately brought about the unification of the English kingdom, and aided in the unification of the kingdom of Scotland, the two most significant political developments of the latter part of the period, while the Norman Conquest inextricably tied subsequent medieval English monarchs into the politics of France.
About the Author
Edward James is Professor of Medieval History, University College Dublin.
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This volume in the series 'Britain in Europe' innovates in a number of ways. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
This volume in the series 'Britain in Europe' innovates in a number of ways. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Professor James has produced a very readable and informative review of First Millennium Britain. Much of what we can learn about this period comes either from dry academic work or from fanciful popular histories that weave elaborate theories from the slightest (and often misunderstood) evidence. Professor James manages to steer a careful middle path. His book is very approachable (how many other academic historians would quote Terry Pratchett when making a point?). But on the other hand he is always careful to focus on what we do know, not what we might wish were true. Along the way he dispels many of the myths of "Celt-mania" and leaves us with a much clearer view of early British history. This book is a must for anyone interested in the so-called Dark Ages.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Professor James beats other recent attempts ot focusing on British history hands down - I am thinking in particular of Norman Davies and Simon Schama. He keeps all areas of Britain in focus and is as strong in archaeology as he is in history. This allows him to keep an eye on areas such as Pictish Scotland which other studies virtually ignore. Professor James also writes in an unpretentious and engaging style which is a joy to read, and his introduction and epilogue should be made compulsory reading for anyone with a serious interest in history.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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2 reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
A grand history
4 July 2006
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a singular, expert portrayal of the first millennium in British history. I found the writing style to be easy to read, and I congratulate the author for his effectual use of grammar and punctuation. As the blurb on the back cover suggests, Britain is very much regarded within the sphere of Europe, and the reasons become quite obvious in the reading (developments within the church being spread, for example.) Amazon and the publishers offer a generous amount to look at, such as the Contents and several pages of the Introduction, including the first of 6 maps in the book. I will list the subheadings, which occur throughout the book, as a means of helping readers know what they will find within these pages. I recommend this book enthusiastically, and now that it is read, it will sit on my bookshelf next to Alfred P. Smyth's book published 17 years earlier, which the author cites several times (hint: it is about Scotland).
Chapter 1: 'Britain'; The sources and their study
Chapter 2: Julius Caesar and after; Claudius's invasion of Britain; The Romans in the north
Chapter 3: 'Romanisation'; The administration; The army; Towns; The countryside; Industry and trade; Language, culture and identity
Chapter 4: The Romanisation of the pre-Roman gods; Mediterranean cults; Religion in Roman life; Christianity in Roman Britain; Pelagianism; Patrick; Nynia and the southern Picts
Chapter 5: Migrations and/or invasions; The end of Roman Britain; Gildas and the end of Roman Britain; The Arthurian gap; Migrants and settlers, 1: the Picts and Scots; Migrants and settlers, 2: the British; Migrants and settlers, 3: Angles, Saxons and Jutes
Chapter 6: What was a king?; 'Celtic' and 'Germanic' society; The kingdoms of the north; The kingdoms of the south
Chapter 7: Columba; Augustine; The second mission to the English; The myth of the Celtic Church; The mission at home; The mission overseas
Chapter 8: The Northumbrian Renaissance; The decline of monasticism?; The rise of Mercia; Coinage and commerce; The rebirth of towns; Political change in Wales and Scotland; Land and property
Chapter 9: The earliest raids; The Vikings; The Great Army in England; Alfred and the defence against the Vikings; The Vikings in the north and west; Scandinavian settlement in Britain
Chapter 10: The conquests of the West Saxon kings; The conquests of the Scottish kings; The English kings of the later tenth century; The tenth-century Reformation; The Danes in England; The end of the Viking Age?
Also note a couple misprints:
Page 25: "Belgovae" should read, "Selgovae".
Page 138: "...in 942 a king..." should read, "...in 842 a king...".
The Epilogue touches on how and why this book, and the series to which it belongs, is relevant to today's issues: "... the main theme of this book has really been the complex history of the emergence of the three main political units of modern Britain, and the emergence of political and/or national identities."
Chapter 1: 'Britain'; The sources and their study
Chapter 2: Julius Caesar and after; Claudius's invasion of Britain; The Romans in the north
Chapter 3: 'Romanisation'; The administration; The army; Towns; The countryside; Industry and trade; Language, culture and identity
Chapter 4: The Romanisation of the pre-Roman gods; Mediterranean cults; Religion in Roman life; Christianity in Roman Britain; Pelagianism; Patrick; Nynia and the southern Picts
Chapter 5: Migrations and/or invasions; The end of Roman Britain; Gildas and the end of Roman Britain; The Arthurian gap; Migrants and settlers, 1: the Picts and Scots; Migrants and settlers, 2: the British; Migrants and settlers, 3: Angles, Saxons and Jutes
Chapter 6: What was a king?; 'Celtic' and 'Germanic' society; The kingdoms of the north; The kingdoms of the south
Chapter 7: Columba; Augustine; The second mission to the English; The myth of the Celtic Church; The mission at home; The mission overseas
Chapter 8: The Northumbrian Renaissance; The decline of monasticism?; The rise of Mercia; Coinage and commerce; The rebirth of towns; Political change in Wales and Scotland; Land and property
Chapter 9: The earliest raids; The Vikings; The Great Army in England; Alfred and the defence against the Vikings; The Vikings in the north and west; Scandinavian settlement in Britain
Chapter 10: The conquests of the West Saxon kings; The conquests of the Scottish kings; The English kings of the later tenth century; The tenth-century Reformation; The Danes in England; The end of the Viking Age?
Also note a couple misprints:
Page 25: "Belgovae" should read, "Selgovae".
Page 138: "...in 942 a king..." should read, "...in 842 a king...".
The Epilogue touches on how and why this book, and the series to which it belongs, is relevant to today's issues: "... the main theme of this book has really been the complex history of the emergence of the three main political units of modern Britain, and the emergence of political and/or national identities."
Excellent for the general reader and academic
23 Feb 2011
Format:Paperback
As a medieval historian I highly recommend this book. It's easy to read but full of information that is up-to-date. He also does a great job of explaining current debates in an easily comprehensible manner.
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