Northumbria, 500–1100: Creation and Destruction of a Kingdom
Ian Wood
Northumbria, 500–1100: Creation and Destruction of a Kingdom. By DAVID ROLLASON (Cambridge: Cambridge U.P., 2003; pp. xiv + 339. £55). THE history Anglo-Saxon Viking-Age Northumbria makes an attractive subject. In recent years it has already prompted number books. The most obvious competitor to Rollason's is N.J. Higham, Kingdom AD 350–1100 (1993) (rev. ante, cxi (1996), 405–6). It never cited by Rollason, perhaps because the two books are aimed at different markets: more obviously scholarly (although its footnotes scarcely exhaustive): Higham's product, almost ‘coffee-table’ in lavish use illustrations. Such comparison, however, too simplistic. difference date range slight, but significant: Higham inclined put emphasis on Late Roman Celtic elements Northumbria's past his starting point 350 helps him do just that. Indeed, reading, continuity from Romano-British gets short shrift. For instance, evidence West Heslerton dismissed as ambiguous, without any real exploration what might imply. Further, Rollason seems be addressing than one audience. At times he pauses make very basic points about method, which would serve first-year student well. On other hand, when arguing case sometimes holds back vital piece information until end, may confuse non-specialist, while keeping scholar wondering whether remembered or not: thus, Bede's letter Ecgbert only brought into play end discussion nature aristocracy: fact that Martin Carver queried Derek Phillips's interpretation chronology collapse York Minster site withheld closing section argument. offers challenging interpretations—for elaborates theory suggested, was dominated archbishop rather king—but does so exactly same tone uses for presentation long-accepted arguments. newcomer period will hard-pressed know novel well-known.
The English Historical Review