The Anglo-Saxons

Drawing on findings from ethnography and anthropology (particularly the new discipline of cognitive anthropology), Dunn throws a fresh light on pagan vs. Christian ideas of death, "imagistic" vs. "doctrinal" views of religion. The book's implications could affect all future studies of the Christianization of Europe.

A compelling and contrary account of the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066-the most famous day in English history.

This anthology of prose translations covers most of the surviving poetry, revealing a tradition which is outstanding among early medieval literatures for its sophisticated exploration of the human condition in a mutable, finite, but wonderfully diverse and meaning-filled world.

How did Ethelred become king when he was only ten years old? Discover the intriguing story of Ethelred, England's last Anglo-Saxon king, in Who in the World Was the Unready King? In this engaging biography, Connie Clark tells the tale of Ethelred, the boy king who handed England over to the Vikings. How did Ethelred and his sons lose their country to the northern invaders?

One needs only to glance at Chaucer, or even further back at Beowulf, to see that English has not always what we call English. Divided into the major epochs of the language--Pre-English Britain, Old English (formed from an invasion of Latin & Old Norse), transition from Middle to Modern English, and finally Modern English--this casual re-telling of history will engross you. Mingling history, religion, famous people, and linguistics, the story of English is integrated into the story of Western History.

Written in AD 731, Bede's work opens with a background sketch of Roman Britain's geography and history. It goes on to tell of the kings and bishops, monks and nuns who helped to develop Anglo-Saxon government and religion during the crucial formative years of the English people. Leo Sherley-Price's translation brings us an accurate and readable version, in modern English, of a unique historical document. This edition now includes Bede's Letter to Egbett concerning pastoral care in early Anglo-Saxon England.

In this major survey three distinguished historians, James Campbell, Patrick Wormald and Eric John, have produced an exciting introduction to the field. Although the "Lost Centuries" between AD400 and 600 suffer from a scarcity of written sources, the authors have created a rich and thought-provoking account of the stormy era when Britain became Christian and sustained several waves of Viking invaders.

Tennyson had a life-long interest in the legend of King Arthur and after the huge success of his poem 'Morte d'Arthur' he built on the theme with this series of twelve poems, written in two periods of intense creativity over nearly twenty years. Idylls of the King traces the story of Arthur's rule, from his first encounter with Guinevere and the quest for the Holy Grail to the adultery of his Queen with Launcelot and the King's death in a final battle that spells the ruin of his kingdom. Told with lyrical and dreamlike eloquence, Tennyson's depiction of the Round Table reflects a longing for a past age of valour and chivalry. And in his depiction of King Arthur he created a hero imbued with the values of the Victorian age - one who embodies the highest ideals of manhood and kingship.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

From its first manifestations in the metalwork and ceramics of the early settlers, Anglo-Saxon art displays certain inherent and highly distinctive stylistic and iconographic features. Anglo-Saxon Art-which features 140 color and black-and-white illustrations-is arranged thematically while following a broadly chronological sequence. An introduction highlights the character of Anglo-Saxon art, its leitmotifs, and its underlying continuities.

Celtic spirituality was not the only form of early Christianity in the British Isles. In fact, a larger number of original texts from the Anglo-Saxons remain today. This rich vein of simple, but moving, prose and poetry is explored in Anglo-Saxon Christianity. The key figures of Bebe, Cuthbert and others are introduced alongside new translations of classic texts taken from Beowulf and Old English poetry. For all who appreciate Celtic spirituality, here is a fresh and alternative source of nourishment and inspiration. For those looking for an authentic Christian faith Anglo-Saxon Christianity reaches back into the very birth of the English people.

John Blair's Very Short Introduction to the Anglo-Saxon Age covers the emergence of the earliest English settlements to the Norman victory in 1066. This book is a brief introduction to the political, social, religious, and cultural history of Anglo-Saxon England and it is the most comprehensive and authoritative short guide to the Anglo-Saxon age available.

Aelred of Rievaulx was an heir of Saxons living under Norman rule, a native speaker of English daily speaking French and Latin, a descendant of generations of married priests in an age when priests were forbidden to wed, an English monk in a French order, an abbot bred to service in the church but trained for service in the court. His sermons and treatises reflect Aelred the monk, the novice-master, and abbot. His historical works--concerned with the political world of Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman England--seek to explore the past as a guide for the present and assurance of the future.

In the old Norse world, King Hrolf served as a symbol of courage, Sharing rich oral traditions with the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf, Hrolf's Saga recounts the tragedy of strife within Denmark's royal hall. It tells of powerful women and the exploits of Hrolf's famous champions- including the' bear-warrior', who strikenly resembles Beowulf.