The Anglo-Saxons at War

In the time of the great Anglo-Saxon kings, warfare was organized, armed, and trained, and the Anglo-Saxon experience of war was a key stage of medieval history. Paul Hill's new study provides a detailed and graphic account of the conduct of war in the Anglo-Saxon world, exploring the role of violence and war, the use of cavalry, land and naval warfare, politics and diplomacy, and the weapons and armor of the Anglo-Saxons.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

In the era of the great Anglo-Saxon kings, such as Alfred and Athelstan, (R)thelred and Edmund Ironside, warfare was a complex and multifaceted aspect of society. The armies were organized in various ways, with different units and weapons employed depending on the circumstances. The warriors were armed and trained with a variety of weapons, including spears, scramsaxes, axes, bows, swords, helmets, shields, and mail.

The Anglo-Saxon experience of war was marked by a mixture of bravery, skill, and brutality. Battles were often fierce and bloody, with both sides suffering significant casualties. Sieges were also a common occurrence, with armies attempting to capture enemy strongholds through prolonged and grueling campaigns.

The role of violence and war in Anglo-Saxon society was significant, with the king and the noblemen playing a central role in determining the course of conflict. The men of the fyrd, or militia, were summoned to fight in times of danger, and their loyalty and commitment to their king were crucial in ensuring the success of the Anglo-Saxon armies.

The Anglo-Saxon use of cavalry was a controversial subject, with some arguing that it was an effective weapon and others questioning its effectiveness in the context of medieval warfare. Land and naval warfare were also central to Anglo-Saxon warfare, with both sides employing a variety of tactics and strategies to gain an advantage over their opponents.

Paul Hill's book, "Warfare in Anglo-Saxon England," is a comprehensive and detailed study of the Anglo-Saxon world in the unstable, violent centuries before the Norman Conquest. Through a combination of documentary records and archaeological evidence, Hill provides a broad, detailed, and graphic account of the conduct of war in the Anglo-Saxon world.

The book explores the role of violence and war in Anglo-Saxon society, particularly the parts played by the king and the noblemen. It also examines the means by which the men of the fyrd were summoned to fight, including the use of oaths, fealty, and the payment of fines. The controversial subject of the Anglo-Saxon use of cavalry is also explored, with Hill examining the advantages and disadvantages of employing mounted soldiers in battle.

Land and naval warfare are central sections of the book, with Hill providing a detailed account of the weapons and armour employed by the Anglo-Saxons. He describes the spears, scramsaxes, axes, bows, swords, helmets, shields, and mail that were employed in the close-quarter fighting of the day. Among the most valuable sections of the study are those dealing, in vivid detail, with actual experience of battle and siege. Hill describes campaigns against the Danes, including the battles of Ashdown, Maldon, and Stamford Bridge, as well as sieges at Reading and Rochester.

The book also covers the politics and diplomacy of warfare, including the conduct of negotiations, the taking of hostages, and the use of treachery. Hill demonstrates how warfare was used as a tool of diplomacy and how alliances and treaties were formed and broken through the use of military force.

In conclusion, "Warfare in Anglo-Saxon England" is a valuable and informative study of the Anglo-Saxon world in the unstable, violent centuries before the Norman Conquest. Paul Hill's broad, detailed, and graphic account of the conduct of war in the Anglo-Saxon world provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in learning about this key stage of medieval history. The book explores the role of violence and war in Anglo-Saxon society, the means by which armies were organized and fought, the weapons and armour employed by the Anglo-Saxons, and the actual experience of battle and siege. Through a combination of documentary records and archaeological evidence, Hill provides a compelling and authoritative account of the Anglo-Saxon experience of war.

Weight: 316g
Dimension: 155 x 235 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399077156