Gaelic Influence in the Northumbrian Kingdom: The Golden Age and the Viking Age

This book explores the extensive cultural connections between the Gaelic world and the Northumbrian kingdom, highlighting the kingdom's Golden Age and its decline and fragmentation in the Viking Age.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Winner of the Frank Watson Book Prize 2021, shortlisted in Scotland's National Book Awards 2021, this groundbreaking work offers the first comprehensive, interdisciplinary exploration of the profound connections between the Gaelic world and the Northumbrian kingdom. Situated at the northernmost reaches of the Anglo-Saxon realm, Northumbria boasted an awe-inspiring landscape adorned with two expansive coastlines, fostering a rich tapestry of cultural exchanges. This captivating book delves into the influences that emanated from the Gaelic-speaking regions, encompassing Ireland, the Isle of Man, Argyll, and the nascent Scottish kingdom of Alba. It traces the trajectory of Northumbria's Golden Age, a period of political and scholarly prominence during the seventh and early eighth centuries, culminating in its gradual decline and fragmentation during the Viking Age, which paved the way for new alliances with Gaelic-Scandinavian communities.

In-depth discussions are presented on the intricate political and ecclesiastical relationships, while the study also delves into linguistic contact, material culture, and the practicalities of travel, unveiling the realities of everyday life in this vibrant era. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this work sheds new light on the western and northern regions of the Northumbrian kingdom, which stood as the closest ties to the Gaelic world. Overall, the book unveils the intricate and enduring nature of Gaelic influence, highlighting its multifaceted and profound impact on the region.

Dr. Fiona Edmonds, a Reader in History and the Director of the Regional Heritage Centre at Lancaster University, has authored this seminal work, which has already garnered critical acclaim and recognition.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837650279