History of the Anglo-Saxons

Sharon Turner (1768–1847) was a solicitor in London who published a four-volume work on Anglo-Saxon literature and history in 1799–1805. He was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1800 and his approach of contrasting Anglo-Saxon freedom with the Norman yoke was particularly appealing at a time of deteriorating political relations with France. His lasting achievement was to draw public attention to the rich and fascinating material contained in the Anglo-Saxon manuscripts he had studied at the British Museum.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 422 pages
\n Publication date: 15 March 2018
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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Sharon Turner, a solicitor practicing in London from 1768 to 1847, had a remarkable dual passion. While his professional endeavors focused on copyright law, he dedicated his free time to the study of Anglo-Saxon literature and history. In a span of five years, from 1799 to 1805, Turner authored a comprehensive four-volume work that remains a pivotal moment in Anglo-Saxon studies and a benchmark in historiography. His dedication to the field was recognized when he was elected as a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1800, shortly after the publication of the first volume.

Turner's unique approach involved contrasting Anglo-Saxon freedom with the Norman yoke, which struck a chord at a time when political relations with France were deteriorating. His lasting achievement, however, lay in his ability to bring to the public's attention the rich and fascinating material contained in the Anglo-Saxon manuscripts he had studied at the British Museum. This work, despite undergoing numerous editions, was eventually surpassed by Kemble's The Saxons in England (1849), also reissued. Volume 3 (1801) of Turner's work specifically covers the later Anglo-Saxon period, spanning from 899 to 1066.

Turner's meticulous research and insightful analysis of these manuscripts have left an indelible mark on the field of Anglo-Saxon studies. His work not only provided valuable insights into the cultural and historical context of the Anglo-Saxon period but also showcased the remarkable literary and artistic achievements of this era. Through his dedication and expertise, Turner has contributed significantly to our understanding of medieval history and culture, earning him a place among the foremost scholars of his time.

\n Weight: 53g\n
Dimension: 219 x 140 x 25 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781108082037\n \n