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Here, Myres looks anew at the dark centuries of English history between the collapse of Roman rule in the early fifth century and the emergence of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in the seventh--the subject of the now-classic Roman Britain and the English Settlements by Collingwood and Myres--and reconsiders the period in light of abundant recent research in the field. New linguistic findings have led to a significant shift in emphasis, which is now reflected in this last volume of the Oxford History of England. The author illuminates some of the little-understood factors that link Roman Britain with Anglo-Saxon England, and suggests certain political and social continuities that help to clarify this complex and traumatic historical era.

The English Settlements is a masterly account of the Dark Ages in the light of evidence from literary sources, the relevant archaeological remains both in England and on the Continent, and place-names and other linguistic developments. J. N. L. Myres draws attention to some little-understood factors which seem to link Roman Britain with Anglo-Saxon England, and so suggests strands of political and social continuity which aid our understanding of this particularly complex and traumatic period of our history. 'He is the foremost authority on the subject and presents a fascinating concentration of evidence, much of which remains enigmatic' Anthony Powell 'Our Dark Age is still murky This learned book is the best introductory torch available' The Times 'Let us salute the author with congratulations on the achievement of this interpretation of a remarkable lifetime's work.' TLS