Life in the Viking great army : raiders, traders, and settlers / Dawn M. Hadley, Julian D. Richards, with contributions by Dave Haldenby, Gareth Perry and Mark Randerson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hadley, D. M. (Dawn M.), 1967- author.

Richards, J. D., author.

Contributor:

Haldenby, Dave, contributor.

Perry, Gareth, contributor.

Randerson, Mark, contributor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Vikings--Military life.

Vikings.

Vikings--Social life and customs.

Vikings--England.

Physical Description:

xvi, 389 pages : illustrations (some color), maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2025.

Summary:

The Viking Great Army that landed in East Anglia in late 865 had a lasting impact on English society, culture, politics, and economy. The Viking Great Army landed in East Anglia in late 865 and over the following fifteen years it fought numerous battles in all four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, made and broke peace treaties, and deposed or killed at least three Anglo-Saxon kings, replacing them with its own appointees. It had a major impact on English society, initiating extensive transformations in Anglo-Saxon society, culture, economy, and political organisation. Previous Viking armies had raided only in the summer months, but the Great Army was a constant presence over this period, overwintering at various locations in northern and eastern England. This presence changed the political, economic, and social landscape of England forever, but historical sources say very little about it. Now, new archaeological evidence has revealed the location of two of its camps, and at least fifty other places it visited. This book describes life in the tents and towns that the Viking Great Army inhabited: the treasure, tools, and weapons found in the camps and what they reveal about how the groups that made up the Army lived and the activities that took place, including the processing and trading of loot, the minting of coins, and the manufacture of jewellery. What emerges is evidence of a rich and diverse community whose impact on England can be traced to the present day. -- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Part I: Introduction

1. The Great Army in Context

2. The Great Army on the Move

Part II: Life in the Camps

3. Spoils of War and Peace

4. Wearing and Processing

5. Metal-working and Minting

6. Provisioning the Army

Part III: Legacy and Impact

7. Beyond the Camps

8. The Great Army and the Ceramic Revolution

9. The Legacy of the Great Army

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 341-376) and index.

ISBN:

0198848552

9780198848554

OCLC:

1425940253