Bede's Ecclesiastical History is the most important single source for early medieval English history. Without it, we would be able to say very little about the conversion of the English to Christianity, or the nature of England before the Viking Age. Bede wrote for his contemporaries, not for a later audience, and it is only by an examination of the work itself that we can assess how best to approach it as a historical source. N.J. Higham shows, through a close reading of the text, what light the Ecclesiastical History throws on the history of the period and especially on those characters from seventh- and early eighth-century England whom Bede either heroized, such as his own bishop, Acca, and kings Oswald and Edwin, or villainized, most obviously the British king Caedwalla but also Oswiu, Oswald's brother. In (Re-)Reading Bede, N.J. Higham offers a fresh approach to how we should engage with this great work of history. He focuses particularly on Bede's purposes in writing it, its internal structure, the political and social context in which it was composed and the cultural values it betrays, remembering always that our own approach to Bede has been influenced to a very great extent by the various ways in which he has been both used, as a source, and commemorated, as man and saint, across the last 1,300 years.

Bede's Ecclesiastical History is the most important single source for early medieval English history. Without it, we would be able to say very little about the conversion of the English to Christianity, or the nature of England before the Viking Age. Bede wrote for his contemporaries, not for a later audience, and it is only by an examination of the work itself that we can assess how best to approach it as a historical source. N.J. Higham shows, through a close reading of the text, what light the Ecclesiastical History throws on the history of the period and especially on those characters from seventh- and early eighth-century England whom Bede either heroized, such as his own bishop, Acca, and kings Oswald and Edwin, or villainized, most obviously the British king Caedwalla but also Oswiu, Oswald's brother. In (Re-)Reading Bede, N.J. Higham offers a fresh approach to how we should engage with this great work of history. He focuses particularly on Bede's purposes in writing it, its internal structure, the political and social context in which it was composed and the cultural values it betrays, remembering always that our own approach to Bede has been influenced to a very great extent by the various ways in which he has been both used, as a source, and commemorated, as man and saint, across the last 1,300 years.

The legend of King Arthur is one of the most persistent and powerful myths in western culture. Yet scholars today cannot agree on his dates, his location, his role, or even whether he really existed. King Arthur: Myth-making and History explores how and why historians and writers from the Middle Ages to the present day have constructed different accounts of this well-loved figure.
King Arthur: Myth-making and History illuminates and discusses some central points of debate. What role was Arthur intended to perform in the political and cultural worlds that constructed him? How did the idea of King Arthur evolve? And what did the myth of Arthur mean to both authors and their audiences? In this seminal new study, N J Higham examines in-depth the first two Arthurian texts: the History of the Britons and the Welsh Annals. He argues that historians have often been more influenced by what the idea of Arthur means in their present context than by such primary sources.
King Arthur: Myth-making and History is fascinating reading for anyone interested in the origins and evolution of the Arthurian legend.

Edward the Elder, son and successor of King Alfred, was one of the greatest architects of the English state and yet is one of the most neglected kings of English history. During his 24-year reign, Edward led a series of successful campaigns against the Vikings and by the time of his death controlled most of southern and midland England, with his influence also felt in Wales and the north. Edward the Elder is a timely reassessment of his reign and helps to restore this ruler to his rightful place in English history.
The period of Edward's reign is notably lacking in primary materials for historians. But by drawing upon sources as diverse as literature, archaeology, coins and textiles, this book brings together a rich variety of scholarship to offer new insight into the world of Edward the Elder. With this wealth of perspectives, Edward the Elder offers a broad picture of Edward's reign and his relation to the politics and culture of the Anglo-Saxon period.

Edward the Elder, son and successor of King Alfred, was one of the greatest architects of the English state and yet is one of the most neglected kings of English history. During his 24-year reign, Edward led a series of successful campaigns against the Vikings and by the time of his death controlled most of southern and midland England, with his influence also felt in Wales and the north. Edward the Elder is a timely reassessment of his reign and helps to restore this ruler to his rightful place in English history.
The period of Edward's reign is notably lacking in primary materials for historians. But by drawing upon sources as diverse as literature, archaeology, coins and textiles, this book brings together a rich variety of scholarship to offer new insight into the world of Edward the Elder. With this wealth of perspectives, Edward the Elder offers a broad picture of Edward's reign and his relation to the politics and culture of the Anglo-Saxon period.

This seminal new study explores how and why historians and writers from the Middle Ages to the present day have constructed different accounts of this well-loved figure.

N. J Higham offers an in-depth examintaion of the first two Arthurian texts: the History of the Britons and the Welsh Annals. He argues that historians have often been more influenced by what the idea of Arthur means in their present context than by such primary sources

King Arthur: Myth-making and History illuminates and discusses some central points of debate:

* What role was Arthur intended to perform in the political and cultural worlds that constructed him?
* How did the idea of King Arthur evolve?
* What did the myth of Arthur mean to both authors and their audiences?

King Arthur: Myth-making and History is fascinating reading for anyone interested in the origins and evolution of the Arthurian legend.

Published as a tribute to the life and works of Professor Barri Jones, this volume collects 33 wide-ranging papers on Romano-British archaeology, the archaeology of the wider empire and methodology. The contributions are divided into six sections: Roman Britain; Public policy and archaeology; The Eastern empire; North Africa; Methodology and technology; Religion in the empire and beyond. In addition, there is a biography of Barri Jones and a chronology of his work and publications.