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Ancient Medieval sources

• Message 1.Β 

  Posted by anglowelsharch (U5457760) on Tuesday, 29th August 2006

  Hi everyone, hope you are all okay.
  Does anyone have a list of any ancient sources who comment on the Dark Ages beside the obvious of Bede, AS Chronicles, Geoffrey of Monmouth etc or any modern books that have a good bibliography?
  Thank you kindly,
  Richard
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by TwinProbe (U4077936) on Tuesday, 29th August 2006

  Hi Richard,
  
  I'm afraid that in giving the address of your website you've made yourself rather identifiable. I guess the hosts will pull your message fairly soon. So let's answer quickly!
  
  If you really must read written sources on the 'Dark Ages' (you and a million others) you will know about Gildas, Nennius and St Patrick. Remember that Bede, great historian though he was, is not a primary source for the 5th or 6th century. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle probably is a good source for the Alfred and the Viking Era, and may include information derived from Easter Annals for earlier periods. But Christian Saxons took a dim view of pagan Vikings, so that has to be considered in forming a judgement about reliability. The value of Geoffrey of Monmouth as a historical source has long been controversial; I think that he is worthless, but others will take a different view.
  
  Since you're keen on archaeology why not assess the the way in which this discipline tells a rather different story from the historical sources? Leslie Alcock's 'Arthur's Britain' is 30 years old but still (IMO) essential reading. Catherine Hills always gives you a calm and considered judgement on matters Anglo-Saxon. You have read her contribution to the textbook 'The Archaeology of Britain'; why not read 'Origins of the English' if you haven't already? Do you come from Wales? Mark Redknap's 'Vikings in Wales' is a classic.
  
  Best wishes in your researches,
  
  TP

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by anglowelsharch (U5266748) on Wednesday, 30th August 2006

  Hi TwinProbe,
  Thanks very much for all your help. Much apprecited!
  
  
  (also apologies that I put my website link up a minute of madness on my part!)

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by gumption78 (U2800277) on Saturday, 2nd September 2006

  These sites may be of some interest to you:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Message 5

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  Posted by gumption78 (U2800277) on Saturday, 2nd September 2006

  Ooops, double posted one address and forgot this one!
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by PaulRyckier (U1753522) on Saturday, 2nd September 2006

  Richard,
  
  you are not family by some conincidence of the historian Jonathan I. Israel, whose books about the Netherlands I am commenting on these boards?
  
  Warm regards and welcome to the boards,
  
  Paul.

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by anglowelsharch (U5266748) on Wednesday, 6th September 2006

  Thanks everyone for the links - much appreciated!
  
  I have not come across a Jonathan I. Israel yet in my family research and have often wondered if we could be related!

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