So you want to learn about Anglo-Saxon history?
Books, lectures, and primary source recommendations for those brand new to the early medieval period
Have you never have interacted with the Anglo-Saxon period before and want some recommendations for getting started?
This concise resource guide will provide a combination of more accessible, public history works and academic sources, as well as recommendations for documenataries and podcasts, freely available lectures and primary source collections and museums. I hope this will serve as a useful springboard for those who are excited to engage with the early medieval world for the very first time. Welcome down the rabbit hole!
I would certainly have benefitted from a list like this when I started out in 2017 when I was hunting the web for anything I could on Anglo-Saxon paganism, so I hope this is of some use to those in similar positions to me back then. Please note that this list isn’t intended to be a huge, in-depth scholarly guide, but instead to serve as a starting point for those who want to engage with the period for the first time, though there are some more academic texts in the “books” section.
This guide will be updated in future as I find more appropriate sources to include, I aim to revise my guides every 1-2 months if time allows. If you have any recommendations for the list that would fit, drop them in the comments below!
Books
I can’t possibly list every work that I have read on the Anglo-Saxon period here or I’d be here far too long, but I’ve included a couple of texts below that I find assisted with my overall understanding of the period’s narrative, introduced me to new perspectives, or are seminal historiographical works.
Early Medieval Britain, 500-1000 - Rory Naismith
A brilliant textbook for anyone getting started reading early medieval history, Naismith’s work is accessible, interesting and thorough, aimed at undergraduate level. I could not recommend this work more (though I may be biased as Rory’s the head of my department!).
The Anglo-Saxon World - Nicholas Higham (no relation!), Martin Ryan
An excellent introduction to the Anglo-Saxon world, including insights on archaeology, DNA analysis and historiographic analyses to highlight the experience of the ordinary Anglo-Saxon, who is too often missed.
Anglo-Saxon England - Frank Stenton
One of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon history, Stenton’s Anglo-Saxon England is a staple of the period. It is quite large and there is much that historians today might challenge, but it’s a classic for a reason.
Kingship and Government in Pre-Conquest England C.500-1066 - Ann Williams
Perfect for those wanting an overview of the government structures in this period! Whilst kingship specifically is not my area of expertise Williams’ work is fantastic, and critical for understanding systems of power.
Building Anglo-Saxon England - John Blair
A highly thorough work for those who wish to understand the Anglo-Saxon landscape, Blair does an excellent job of appreciating geological, social and economic factors throughout his work. Beware, whilst it’s got some beautiful illustrations it is heavy. Get a bookstand if you take this out the library (or a crane).
Audio and Visual Content
Provided below are a list of lectures, podcasts and documentaries; all can be freely watched and accessed! Some are more general whilst others are more specialised.
Anglo-Saxon England - David Crowther (Podcast)
The Anglo-Saxon England podcast, companion to David Crowther’s History of England podcast, is a fantastic way to either learn or revise the narrative events of the Anglo-Saxon period, particularly the Christianisation and power struggles between kings and kingdoms. Listen here!
Making England: The Shadow of Rome, 410-1130 - Prof. Simon Thurley (Lecture)
This fantastic Gresham College lecture outlines the history of architecture in the Anglo-Saxon period and challenges the notion that Anglo-Saxon buildings were in any way more primitive than those of their European counterparts. The themes Thurley touches on in this lecture were instrumental in developing my understanding of Anglo-Saxon archaeology and architecture and I highly recommend it. Watch here!
Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry - BBC (Documentary)
Could not be more apt to watch this given the news that the Bayeux Tapestry will be visiting the UK soon! BBC documentary exploring the tapestry’s history, with both French and English scholars, including the women who made it, their methods, and why it was produced. Available on BBC iPlayer. Watch here!
The Making of Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts - Dr. Sally Dormer (Lecture)
A lecture from Gresham College outlining the process of the production of medieval manuscripts, Dormer provides an excellent and thorough overview for those who might have never studied codicology (book studies) before. Whilst not specific to Anglo-Saxon history, it’s still well worth your time if you’re interested in the making of illuminated manuscripts. Watch here!
Museums
One of the most enthralling bits of getting stuck into this period of history, for me, is viewing primary sources and artefacts in person. I highly recommend visiting some of the museums on this list if you can - photographs and digital replicas are of course fantastic, but they don’t do justice to the items in person.
The British Museum - London
The British Museum is home to the incredible finds from the Sutton Hoo hoard. Excavated in 1939, the objects thought to belong to the East Anglian king Rædwald include the famous helmet and incredible cloisonné garnet and gold metalwork seen on the purse lid, buckles and shoulder clasps.
The Ashmolean Museum - Oxford, Oxfordshire
Not sure how I still haven’t visited here yet! One of their most important artefacts is the wonderful Alfred Jewel, ploughed up in a field in the 17th century, which was likely used as a reading aid.
Sutton Hoo - Woodbridge, Suffolk
The original location of the Sutton Hoo hoard, the land, now owned and managed by the National Trust, Sutton Hoo is home to a fantastic museum on the early medieval period. You can walk out into the fields to visit the 7th century burial mounds, and they regularly hold events in conjunction historical re-enactment groups such as the Thegns of Mercia.
Durham Cathedral - Durham City, County Durham
Home to the shrine of the infamous 7th century saint St Cuthbert and Bede, the “father of English History”, Durham Cathedral is a must visit for any early medievalist. Their “Open Treasures” exhibit holds some of the items found during the multiple openings of St Cuthbert’s coffin, including his iconic golden pectoral cross.
The British Library - London
A fantastic research base in its own right, the British Library holds the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the finest pieces of Anglo-Saxon artwork, on permanent display in their “Treasures” exhibit. Due to a cyberattack it’s currently not possible to view the digitised version, but they’re hoping it’ll be back online soon. They regularly open the book to a different page, so it’s worth visiting more than once!
Primary Source Collections
If you’re interested in going beyond the secondary literature and want to get stuck into some contemporary primary sources, some of the best pieces of literature to start to engage with the early medieval period (in England) are listed below. Many of these can be picked up second-hand for a very reasonable price, or they’re available new from most good booksellers.
Beowulf (various translations available)
Beowulf is what’s known as an “epic” poem, which follows our hero as he defeats 3 monsters, Grendel, his mother and a dragon, hoarding pagan gold. Just don’t watch the film, for your own sake. My favourite is the translation by Seamus Heaney, but for academic work I tend to rely on the translation by Kevin Crossley-Holland which is published in The Anglo-Saxon World, a collection of texts published by Oxford World’s Classics.
Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Oxford World’s Classics
One of the most important sources for this period, Bede’s Ecclesiastical History provides a thorough account of the state of Christianity as the Anglo-Saxons were converted, kingdom by kingdom, over the course of generations. If you’re interested in learning about his limitations as a source, you can read my post about his Ecclesiastical History here.
The Age of Bede, Penguin Classics
A collection of sources from the period, including both Lives of St Cuthbert, the Life of St Wilfrid and additional writings from Bede & some additional anonymous sources. An incredibly helpful source collection for anyone wanting to understand the Anglo-Saxon Church in greater depth.
The Earliest English Poems, Penguin Classics
A must read for any fans of Old English literature and translation, this collection of poems includes excerpts from Beowulf (though I recommend reading the full piece), The Ruin, Bede’s “death song” as well as The Wanderer and The Seafarer. All give wonderful insights into the culture of the early medieval period in Britain.
Thanks for reading MR James Appreciation Society! I write about the early medieval period, focusing particularly on Anglo-Saxon religious traditions. My upcoming posts include:
The role of necklaces and jewellery in Anglo-Saxon culture
Bede - an author profile
Early medieval source types - a guide
I aim to provide most of my content for free, but some longer research pieces will be available for paid subscribers.
Thank you!