The Death of Anglo-Saxon England [Hardcover]

N. J. Higham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0750908858 | ISBN-13: 978-0750908856 | Publication Date: December 1997 | Edition: illustrated edition

Perhaps the best-known fact of English history is the Norman Conquest of 1066, which dispossessed the Anglo-Saxon royal house, marginalized English cultural values and began the near total exclusion of English figures from influence in the realm. The events of that year form the end-point of this study which focuses on royal succession and the descent of the crown during the last century of the Anglo-Saxon period. The text examines questions of factional conflicts, external raiders and warrior kings, and attempts to explain why the English dynasty proved vulnerable to usurpation during the 11th century. Of central importance is the success of the West Saxon royal house in building up England to become the most centralized, the wealthiest and the best defended state in western Europe. The author explores the growing difficulty in retaining control of government and the Scandinavian involvement in power politics, as well as many other issues which unveil the world of high politics, intrigue and ambition in late Anglo-Saxon England.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 234 pages
• Publisher: Sutton Pub Ltd; illustrated edition edition (December 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750908858
• ISBN-13: 978-0750908856
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,497,289 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NORMAN CONQUEST OF 1066-DEATH KNOLL FOR ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND, June 18, 2010

By 

Kay's Husband (Virginia, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Death of Anglo-Saxon England (Hardcover)

This book printed in Britain is a well illustrated volume focusing on the endpoint of Anglo-Saxon England. Politics and invasion are central to the question what happened to bring about "the death of anglo-saxon England".

The chapters within this book are as listed below:

Introduction
The Making and Unmaking of Aethelred the 'Unraed'
Power and Legitimacy: Danish Kingship and its Opponents
Crisis, Mishap and Opportunity: English Kingship 1035-1065
1066: Succession and Crisis
Postscripts
Further Reading
Index

The book is lavishly illustrated with both maps and black and white photographs, with a center section of 8 pages of color photographs. The world of politics, ambition, intrigue of Anglo-Saxon England are well explored in this volume. A true value at present Amazon prices, years back I paid $15.98 for my copy. Well recommended by one who enjoys reading books centered on the events of 1066.

Another volume entitled HAROLD; THE LAST ANGLO-SAXON KING sit side-by-side on my library shelves. Both these books may be of interest to readers who enjoy this period.

Semper Fi.