The Britons (The Peoples of Europe) [Hardcover]

Christopher A. Snyder (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 063122260X | ISBN-13: 978-0631222606 | Publication Date: May 7, 2003 | Edition: 1

This book provides a fascinating and unique history of the Britons from the late Iron Age to the late Middle Ages. It also discusses the revivals of interest in British culture and myth over the centuries, from Renaissance antiquarians to modern day Druids.

• A fascinating and unique history of the Britons from the late Iron Age to the late Middle Ages.
  
• Describes the life, language and culture of the Britons before, during and after Roman rule.
  
• Examines the figures of King Arthur and Merlin and the evolution of a powerful national mythology.
  
• Proposes a new theory on the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain and the establishment of separate Brittonic kingdoms.
  
• Discusses revivals of interest in British culture and myth, from Renaissance antiquarians to modern day Druids.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This lucid text cuts a logical swathe through the minefield of current debates, and provides an overview that will be welcomed by scholars and non-specialists alike. Anyone seeking an authoritative and eminently readable account of the early Britons should start with this book. I enjoyed it. Others will too." Lloyd Laing, University of Nottingham

"This book is about a fascinating, crucial and formative period of British History. There are plenty of controversial theories about the so-called 'Dark Ages', and yet Snyder offers a manageable overview that explores not only the latest scholarly works but also popular flights of fancy. This is a really well written book which is interesting, questioning, accessible and often amusing" Abbey's Advocate Newsletter

"Prof Snyder questions the view of historians from Bede onwards that the British were overwhelmed by massive Germanic immigration and a series of bloody wars. He says many historians are now subscribing to the theory that a small number of warrior elites imposed their culture on the Britons in what is now England. The Welsh, however, refused for centuries to accept new trends from continental Europe, even defying the Pope with their own calendar." Rhodri Clark, Western Mail (Cardiff)

Book Description

This book provides a fascinating and unique history of the Britons from the late Iron Age to the late Middle Ages. It draws on both archaeological and written evidence to trace the development of the distinct culture of the Britons that survived nearly four centuries of Roman rule and has been revived and celebrated by generations ever since. The book:describes the life and culture of the Britons before, during and after Roman rulecovers the revival of Iron Age practices within a Christian context, typified by the work of Saint Patrickexamines the figures of King Arthur and Merlin and the evolution of a powerful national mythologyproposes a new theory on the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain and the establishment of separate Brittonic kingdomsgives an account of the Viking and Norman invasions and their effect on the Britonsreveals the origins of The Brittonic language and its segmentation into Breton, Cornish and WelshThe book also discusses the revivals of interest in British culture and myth over the centuries, from Renaissance antiquarians to modern day Druids.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (May 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 063122260X
• ISBN-13: 978-0631222606
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,048 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readily accessible to the nonprofessional reader, February 7, 2004

By 

Adam Bigham (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Britons (The Peoples of Europe) (Hardcover)

Do you have ancestry from Brittany, Wales, Scotland or England? You might like this informative, well-documented, comfortably-paced book. Even if you are well-versed in the history of these lands, this book gives many insights into how people lived and into the power struggles among early kingdoms (Cornwall, Strathclyde, Dyfed, Wessex, Northumbria ...you name it.) Having ancestry from SW-Scotland, for example, I was not dissappointed in the amount of material devoted to the Strathclyde Britons, including some facts I had not known. Who are the Britons? This book helps you understand what that question means historically, and in present-day context. A first-rate book, I suggest it be read by anyone who has an interest, including those involved in Celtic studies of all kinds.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating and scholarly historical text, July 20, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Britons (The Peoples of Europe) (Hardcover)

The Britons by Christopher A. Snyder (Associate Professor of European history and Chair of the department of History and Politics, Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia) is a fascinating and scholarly historical text about the culture of the Britons, spanning the late Iron Age down to the late Middle Ages. From the influence of Roman rule, to the impact of Christianity, the legend of King Arthur, a sober account of Viking and Norman invasions, and so much more, The Britons is an informed and informative study which is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and academic History collections.

3 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, August 6, 2006

By 

Magne Berg "Rassie" (N-2013 Skjetten, Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Britons (The Peoples of Europe) (Hardcover)

This is a complete history of the Britons, which I have been looking for a long time.