Anyone interested in Anglo-Saxons?

[JoyintheMorning]

I am retired and am interested in reading about what happened when the Romans left England and the early kingdoms.
It occurred to me that someone here might know more than I do. Or someone might be interested in studying
I like to chat.

I recommend this wonderful (actually rather moving) book

I am reading about Halsall and Heather. They get a bit heated do they not!

They do. I don't have a side here as Anglo-Saxons are not quite my thing and I am happy to recognise that there are competing views. History was my second string and (partly because half my education was in Spain) I delved heavily into Alans, Suevi and Visigoths when researching. My take is that while all 'peoples' were different the continental ones had more in common while Britain was different.

The Alans though were Iranic and, while they eventually lost out in the division of Hispania, left their name in that of French towns like the Allainvilles.

I have two Heathers on the shelf next to Halsall. They cover similar ground, with one perhaps looking a bit more from a Roman perspective and the other from the Barbarians. Anglo-Saxons feature in chapters in Heather and he has a pan-European perspective.

A book I found very accessible was Europe's Barbarians by Edward James (who was Professor of Medieval History at University College Dublin). When I read it I felt it was probably his course notes developed into book, and none the worse for being that. He has a good understanding of the archaeology and set out, to my memory, well-balanced arguments.

Finally, if you want to explore Old English with a text that's a bit like an Usborne Let's Learn Portuguese / Lithuanian, there's a single volume by Matt Love. I got about 10 pages in and decided it might come out again if I ever have the time or inclination.

I think he has updated the books. I had all of his books, 1st editions, but wanted to get rid. Some are upto 5th editions now. Mine went to a primary school who were thrilled.

I started Matt Love's Learn Old English with Leofwin, and have used it with children to teach them a little Old English as part of an Anglo Saxon history unit.
I read a lot about AS history, currently focusing on the beginning and end of the period. Agree Michael Wood is just fab all round ( anyone seen his short films for BBC teach on the Shang Dynasty?), his enthusiasm for his subject is really quite sexy!
I'm also enjoying the British History podcast here, he's moved into post-Norman conquest times now, but there are about 400 episodes leading up to that!

Loving this thread. So very interested in this period.

Following for any info about this, am interested myself after watching King and Conqueror!

I’m drawn to the period. I have an Anglo Saxon ring (it was my something old when I got married!) and a sceat.

I’ve been writing a novel set in the 9th Century for years.

I love that Winters in the World book.

Great thread, thanks. The History of English Language podcast covers all eras and gives general background as well as really interesting on language so you might like that.

Hi everyone! I have just read Buried by Alice Roberts, which you might find interesting. I loved her balanced and scientific approach. The book talks a lot about what we can and/or can’t tell about the inhabitants of these Isles after the Romans left.
Also I’d like to say I thoroughly enjoyed the Last Kingdom books as light relief!

edited to remove some errant apostrophes my phone added!