The AngloSaxons at War, Paul Hill
The AngloSaxons at War, Paul Hill
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The Anglo-Saxons at War
800-1066

Author: Paul Hill

Narrator: Michael Page

Unabridged: 9 hr 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 12/13/2022


Synopsis

In this compelling new study, Paull Hill reveals what documentary records and the growing body of archaeological evidence can tell us about war and combat in the age of the great Anglo-Saxon kings. The violent centuries before the Norman Conquest come to life in this detailed account of how and why the Anglo-Saxons fought, how their warriors were armed and trained, how their armies were organized, and much more.

The role of combat in Anglo-Saxon society is explored, from the parts played by the king and the noblemen to the means by which the men of the fyrd were summoned to fight in times of danger. Land and naval warfare are both explored in depth. Hill also covers the politics and diplomacy of warfare, the conduct of negotiations, the taking of hostages, the use of treachery, and the controversial subject of the use of cavalry.

The weapons and armor of the Anglo-Saxons are described, including the spears, scramsaxes, axes, bows, swords, helmets, shields, and mail that were employed in the close-quarter fighting of the day. Drawing on this wealth of information, Hill presents a vivid recreation of the actual experience of fighting in the campaigns against the Danes; the battles of Ashdown, Maldon and Stamford Bridge; and the sieges at Reading and Rochester.

About Paul Hill

Paul Hill, formerly curator of Kingston Upon Thames Museum in Surrey, is well known as a lecturer, author, and expert on Anglo-Saxon and Norman history and military archaeology, and he has written several books on these subjects, among them The Age of Athelstan: Britain's Forgotten History, The Viking Wars of Alfred the Great, and The Anglo-Saxons at War 800-1066.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Juan on May 25, 2020

A great book outlining the main subjects of Anglo-Saxon England. This work summarizes what an average history reader would want to know about the Anglo-Saxons kingdom prior to Norman Conquest. On its pages we will learn how the society was built, what were the major obligations that freemen, houseca......more

Goodreads review by Michael on October 08, 2017

Ever since doing my undergrad history degree in the 1960s, I’ve had a strong and continuing interest in both the early medieval period and in pre-gunpowder military history, so I was pleased to happen upon this well-written work by a noted expert in both subjects. Hill is a well-known lecturer and p......more

Goodreads review by Mr Alex Maunders on December 19, 2017

This is an area of history that I find very interesting, and yet have read very little about. This was a good book to start with. It seemed well researched and well written.......more

Goodreads review by Gilbert on May 27, 2023

This is a very interesting look at the Anglo-Saxon war machine: battle tactics, soldiers, weapons, armies, etc. for the last three centuries in which they dominated England. Hill jumps around a little bit, but gives a very good picture of how the Anglo-Saxon fighting capability evolved, fell apart,......more

Goodreads review by Robert on January 29, 2023

Detailed and Interesting For the most part the author is able to make the account interesting even though much is based on interpretation. Combining accounts in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle with art and archeology, this could be a full account of questionable detail. Instead it remains interesting and......more