This is the engaging and popular history of a mysterious era of British history—the conquest of the Vikings. Its mixture of "Dark Age" fear and its emphasis on the fighting faith of kings, country and monasteries is sure to fascinate and delight.
This book contains the engaging and popular history of a mysterious era of British history — the conquest of the Vikings. Its mixture of "Dark Age" fear and its emphasis on the fighting faith of kings, country and monasteries is sure to fascinate and delight. The turn of the first millennium in Anglo-Saxon England was a time of raiding and settlement. The Vikings invaded our shores and our rulers seemed unable to stop them. The Church was in decline, and was apparently unable to cope with this savage and disruptive force. This is the story of how the Church and the law worked together to turn back and tame the invaders, bringing heart to their people. The harsh new world brought us new saints and martyrs and a revival of monasticism. It also brought us King Alfred's attempts to translate books for his people, so that they would share their knowledge and work in harmony. The account of the Vikings is rich in history and colour. It tells the tales of the battles in which warriors were sanctified and kings martyred. We learn of the revival of the cloak and dagger in the monasteries and the influence of King Canute for the eventual conversion of the Vikings to Christianity.
Author Biography: Paul Cavill is the author of Anglo-Saxon Christianity and Vikings. He lectures in Anglo-Saxon Literature at the University of Nottingham.
