Dark Age Naval Power: A Reassessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Seafaring Activity
Steven A. Epstein|John Haywood
Dark Age Naval Power offers a re-assessment of the evidence for Germanic seafaring before Viking Age. The book questions many pillars current archaeological orthodoxy - in particular, assumption that Vikings were unprecedented pioneers. As Haywood asserts, naval activity can be traced almost to dawn recorded history barbarian Europe. Demonstrating an excessive concentration on ship-finds and reluctance cross historical boundaries has resulted distorted view early seafaring, aims present more balanced original approach subject based synthesis relatively neglected literary sources evidence. It is shown enterprise competence pre-Viking seafarers been underestimated due prominence given impressive maritime achievements Franks from third century AD Carolingian period. This should interest students teachers archaeology, ancient classics.
Journal of Interdisciplinary History