Synopses & Reviews
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 rule
- covers the revival of Iron Age practices within a Christian context, typified by the work of Saint Patrick
- 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
- gives an account of the Viking and Norman invasions and their effect on the Britons
- reveals the origins of The Brittonic language and its segmentation into Breton, Cornish and Welsh
The book also discusses the revivals of interest in British culture and myth over the centuries, from Renaissance antiquarians to modern day Druids.
Synopsis
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.
About the Author
"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)
Table of Contents
List of Plates.
List of Figures.
List of Maps.
List of Tables.
Preface.
Abbreviations.
1. Who are the Britons?.
Britons and the Great Celtic Debate.
Historiography and Methodology.
Part I: Romans and Britons:.
2. Late Pre-Roman Iron Age.
The Earliest Britons.
Hallstatt and La Tène.
The Belgae.
Oppida and Proto-Urbanism in Britain.
Caesar and the Britons.
British Tribes and the Rise of the Catuvellauni.
3. The Roman Period.
The Claudian conquest.
British Client Kings.
Caratacus.
Boudica.
Military expansion and Romanization.
Organizing the Britons.
Farming and Rural Settlement.
Language in Roman Britain.
Religion.
4. Late Roman Britain.
Military and Political Events.
Towns Great and Small.
Hill-forts and the Native Aristocracy.
Forts and Foederati.
The Picts and the Scots.
Britons Abroad.
The British Tyrants.
Part II: The Brittonic