Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #30341 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

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)

From the Back Cover
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.

About the Author
Christopher A. Snyder is Associate Professor of European History and Chair of the Department of History and Politics at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a frequent lecturer at the Smithsonian Institution. His previous books include Exploring the World of King Arthur (2000) and An Age of Tyrants: Britain and the Britons, AD 400–600 (1998).

Customer Reviews

A Comprehensive Introduction To The Birth of Britain
If you are someone with an interest in a crucial, formative period of British history, then this is the book for you. Snyder makes the academic arguments accessible, and his mastery of the materials is broad and should not disappoint. There are plenty of controversial theories of the so called "Dark Ages", and yet Snyder wades in offering a manageable overview that explores not only the latest scholarly works but also popular flights of fancy. 'The Britons' is of a quality to become the standard introductory textbook for the 'Brittonic Age'.