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An Alternative History of Britain: The Anglo-Saxon Age (Hardback)

Ancient History Military P&S History > Medieval World > Medieval History

By Dr Timothy Venning
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: An Alternative History of Britain
Pages: 224
ISBN: 9781781591253
Published: 21st January 2013

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Taking a similar approach to his successful If Rome Hadn't Fallen, Timothy Venning explores the various decision points in a fascinating period of British history and the alternative paths that it might have taken.

Dr Timothy Venning starts within an outline of the process by which much of Britain came to be settled by Germanic tribes after the end of Roman rule, so far as it can be determined from the sparse and fragmentary sources. He then moves on to discuss a series of scenarios which might have altered the course of subsequent history dramatically. For example, was a reconquest by the native British ever a possibility (under 'Arthur' or someone else)? Which of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms might have united England sooner and would this have kept the Danes out? And, of course, what if Harold Godwinson had won at Hastings?

While necessarily speculative, all the scenarios are discussed within the framework of a deep understanding of the major driving forces, tensions and trends that shaped British history and help to shed light upon them. In so doing they help the reader to understand why things panned out as they did, as well as what might have been.

This book serves two valuable historical purposes - first to remind us how little we actually know about some of the events of this period, especially the early conquest period, and second to remind us how big an element chance played in the rise and fall of the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, the eventual unification of England and the various eleventh century conquests. It is also an entertaining read, taking us through nearly seven hundred years of alternative histories at a rapid pace.

History of War website

The author explores the various decision points in a fascinating period of British history.

Forces Pension Society

The author is clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter.

Medieval Warfare Magazine

If this was the only book you read on the Anglo-Saxon age then you would come away with a sound knowledge of the period and with some interesting ideas to raise in debate with friends – such as “if Harold II had won the battle of Hastings, who would have succeeded him?” and “could Northumbria, with a run of good luck, have conquered the whole of England”.

Hexham Local History Society

Timothy Venning is a historian who is fascinated by 'what ifs' and near misses, by those moments when events hung in the balance, and he seeks to explore all the alternatives. This book is part of a series that shows just how many turning points there have been in British history. In The Anglo Saxon Age, Venning looks at the establishment of the early English kingdoms, with the arrival of Germanic tribes in a country where Roman rule had collapsed. The book is full of fascinating arguments and alternatives and ideal for anyone who sees history as a source of intelligent argument.

The Good Book Guide

His (the author's) speculation is interesting, enjoyable and in parts persuasive. This is a book that may encourage some heated debate, some disbelief and some enthusiastic followers.

Firetrench Reviews
Dr Timothy Venning

About Dr Timothy Venning

Timothy Venning obtained his BA, followed by PhD at King's College, University of London, on Cromwell's Foreign Policy and is a gifted historian, deep and critical researcher and attractive writer, with wide range of historical interests. He can slip easily and effectually into early history, the middle ages and to the early modern period with the academic rigour, accessibility, and with both non-specialists, students and academic reference in mind. Publications: Dictionary if National Biography contributions (OUP 1996-2001); Cromwellian Foreign Policy (Palgrave 1995); A Compendium of British Office-Holders Palgrave 2005); A Chronology of the Byzantine Empire (Palgrave 2006); A Chronology of the Roman Empire (Continuum 2010); A Chronology of the Crusades (Routledge 2015); A Chronology of Early Medieval Britain and Europe, AD 450-1066 (Routledge 2017); Anglo-Saxon Kings and Queens; The Kings and Queens of Wales; The Kings and Queens of Scotland; Lords of the Isles; Kingmakers: Lords of the Welsh Marches (Amberley 2011-2016); If Rome Had Survived (Pen and Sword 2010); Alternative History of Britain: The Anglo-Saxon Age; The Hundred Years War; Normans and Plantgenets; The Tudors; The English Civil War; (all Pen and Sword 2013-2014); plus e-books and currently with Pen and Sword: Cromwell's Failed and the Monarchy; The Fall of the British Republic and Return of the King: From Cromwell's Commonwealth to Stuart Monarchy, 1657-1670; The King Arthur Mysteries: Arthur's Britain and Early Medieval World; The Anglo-Saxons and Early Britain; Royal Mysteries of the Medieval Period; Royal Mysteries of the Tudor Period.

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