The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.66 (573 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0851157165 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 286 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-06-27 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
. Davidson is formerly Vice President of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge and President of the London Folklore Society
Hilda Ellis Davidson explores the revelations of archaeology, methods of sword-making, and references in Anglo-Saxon poetry and Old Norse sagas to reveal a past where the sword was of supreme importance, as a weapon and as a symbol. Much can be learnt from surviving swords and from the context in which they are discovered. The swords themselves, and their decoration, reveal the technical skill and cultural achievements of the people who wielded them. She restores a vital dimension to Old English literature, and endows those few surviving swords in museums with a real glamour and magic. . She shows that for a fuller understanding of Anglo-Saxon poetry it is important to have due regard to the warrior culture from which it sprang, and of the potent part played by the sword within that culture. Careful study of the disposition of swords found in peat bogs in Denmark, and in graves, la
The first part of the book, a careful study of the disposition of swords found in peat bogs, in graves, lakes and rivers, yields information on religious and social practices. The second is concerned with literary sources, especially Beowulf.. This book is an invaluable exploration of the significance of the sword as symbol and weapon in the Anglo-Saxon world, using archaeological and literary evidence
Classic treatise by the master of Teutonic and Celtic history Erik Goodwyn H.E. Davidson is one the best European/English historians of the early to mid 20th century, having written many great works including the now unavailable "Road to Hel", "Myths in Pagan Europe", numerous works on Norse mythology, and many works on Goddess-lore that never strays into the "fluffy bunny" utopianisms of Gimbutas or other fantasies. Here, Davidson puts her considerable skills as a compiler of numerous fields including Anglo-Saxon poetry, lore, archeology, history, and just about anything else she can think of to put together an excellent monograph on the most potent ancient weapon and s. Stone Dog said Every aspect of the sword.. The Sword in Anglo Saxon England by Hilda Ellis Davidson is the best book of its kind for the sheer number of aspects of the topic covered - and covered well.I must admit I was impressed by this book, the author's expertise and the depth of the research done to bring so much about this subject to the reader, Davidson brings every aspect of the sword from many different disciplines. The book covers the technical aspects of the swordsmith's art, beginning with the development of pattern-welded swords on the continent from whence the Anglo Saxons came. There are brief forays into the development of s. Prospero said A primary text.. The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England: Its Archaeology and Literature was originally published in 196"A primary text." according to Prospero. The Sword in Anglo-Saxon England: Its Archaeology and Literature was originally published in 1962. There have been a number of discoveries since that time, however, Davidson's book is still relevant and a primary text on the subject.The book is reasonably easy to read and grasp. The author chose to write the book in two parts, one part on morphology and a second on swords in the literature (wills, receipts, stories, etc). A good bit of space is devoted to pattern welding - a subject often glazed over by other authors. The text is very well researched and cited. Davidson presents a few theories tha. . There have been a number of discoveries since that time, however, Davidson's book is still relevant and a primary text on the subject.The book is reasonably easy to read and grasp. The author chose to write the book in two parts, one part on morphology and a second on swords in the literature (wills, receipts, stories, etc). A good bit of space is devoted to pattern welding - a subject often glazed over by other authors. The text is very well researched and cited. Davidson presents a few theories tha