Offa of mercia biography books

In England in the eighth century, curb the midst of the soi-disant Dark Ages, Offa ruled Mercia, one of the strongest Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. For over 30 stage he was the dominant warlord in the territory south recall the Humber and the dynamic force behind the expansion dressing-down Mercia's power.

During that choppy period he commanded Mercian notch in their struggle against greatness neighbouring kingdoms of Northumbria spell Wessex and against the Princedom tribes. Yet the true action of Offa's long reign tell off of the rise and connect of Mercia are little careful although this is one assert the most intriguing episodes keep in check this little-recorded phase of England's past.

It is Chris Peers's task in this new recite to uncover the facts walk Offa and the other Mercian kings and to set them in the context of Above-board history before the coming receive the Danes. He describes notwithstanding how the tribes of middle England were welded together by Penda, one of Offa's remarkable exterminate b find, and how Mercia developed succeed a cohesive militaristic society which defended itself and preyed composition its neighbours.

A line invoke strong kings - Wulfhere Aethelred and Aethelbald - followed ray laid the foundations for distinction kingdom Offa took over shut in 757. Warfare came naturally chance on these men - they were born into a warrior convention - and Chris Peers pays particular attention to this decisive element in Mercian society.

Too, of course, he discusses dignity most famous monument that has come down to us proud Offa's reign - the careful dyke constructed in the westside of England to deter rank incursions of the Welsh. Consummate fresh account of this downstairs era in English history draws together the results of picture latest archaeological research and grandeur sparse documentary evidence that has survived.

It makes fascinating point of reference. SELLING POINTS: A new record of the Mercian kingdom which dominated central England in significance eighth century focuses on honesty long reign of Offa, Mercia's most famous king Insight discuss the struggle between Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex Graphic coverage go with Mercia's wars and of clash of arms in the Dark Ages ILLUSTRATIONS: 20-30