A Brief History Of The Anglo-Saxons - Geoffrey Hindley - book review

The "Anglo-Saxon" period of "British" history I find especially interesting because of the lack of written and documentary records and evidence. What is available is often biased, sparse and hazy. Consequently, this area is subject to almost boundless interpretation, debate and conjecture, even where archaeological findings are to hand.

I sometimes remind myself to be on my guard when being exposed to provocative new theories about the Medieval period. Occasionally, historians go out of their way to be controversial in order to rise above the mass. Often the available evidence lends itself to an equally strident interpretation in an entirely different direction.

Anyway, I recently read Geoffrey Hindley's book A Brief History of The Anglo-Saxons.

The Anglo-Saxons have possibly had a bad press over the centuries. However, I find them fascinating, because of their enigmatic aura, and the period is stimulating, partly because it is so fragmented, nebulous and confusing.

In this book, the author makes allowances for scenarios other than those which have achieved something of a consensus. He often sets the Anglo-Saxon phenomenon in the wider context of Medieval Europe, and the formation of the "post-Roman" landscape. There is necessarily a heavy emphasis on the relations of the new arrivals with the Church, and indeed on how they themselves helped to shape the future of the Church. Some light is also shed on the contributions of Anglo-Saxons to broader European affairs.

From a purely personal viewpoint, I found the passages about Northumbria (and its "golden age") informative and enlightening. This region, certainly in its "English" incarnation, is not always allocated the same amount of popular attention as, say, Wessex, but its importance is underlined here. These sections, as with much of the book, are written in a breezy style, with the occasional slice of humour.

I liked how the notion of an "imperium", or a ruler recognized by the other kingdoms, was developed. Also, people think of "international relations" in those epochs as fuzzy and vague, but Hindley highlights how this was not necessarily so. The way it is documented in "A Brief History...." suggests that it had the appearance of something more coherent and structured.

The role of English clergy in converting the pagans is also explored in some detail, and we are reminded of the sometimes violent means by which the conversion was accomplished. The social structures which linked rulers, warriors and the churchmen have to be understood in order for the nature of the times to be grasped, and this is another area covered by the book.

Needless to say, the years of Alfred The Great are given due prominence, in terms of his role in preserving "England", and the encouragement of the use of the vernacular.  I would have liked more about Athelstan, to be honest.

The dynastic manoeuvrings and intrigues which unfolded prior to the Norman Conquest are examined. I got the impression that the author was not a big fan of the Normans!

I don't think that much of the book's content is startlingly original, but it is told in an entertaining and digestible form. A lot of ground is covered in a limited space, but it is still worth a read.

A Brief History Of The Crusades - Geoffrey Hindley

There are some areas of history which are so dauntingly complex in their scale and sweep that a concise book covering the main points is a pre-requisite to a basic understanding. One such book is "A Brief History of The Crusades", by Geoffrey Hindley.

There is a good preamble, setting the scene by way of detailing the landscape as the 11th century came to its close. How the concept of crusades was formulated and instigated, and the problems of leadership and co-ordination.

Hindley graphically covers the propensity of some of the participants to misbehave, recounting the chilling pogroms which occasionally took place, and their effects on the Jewish communities of Europe in particular.

One thing which comes through repeatedly in the story is the difficulty experienced in unifying the various Christian factions and rulers, preoccupied as they were by myriad domestic and dynastic concerns. Even when people could be persuaded to become involved, their own agendas sometimes meant that an enterprise was curtailed, or fatally compromised, before it reached its objective. Often only the divisions amongst the opposition came to the rescue. How easy it was for forces to be distracted by the prospect of financial gain or objectives outside the proclaimed remit of their mission.

Relations with the Byzantine Empire, which were frequently strained and complex, are another recurring theme in the tale.

Hindley provides portraits of some of the colourful characters involved, particularly the knights who spearheaded the military campaigns and those clerical officials whose duty it was to garner support and enthusiasm for the latest crusade.

There are also fascinating passages about the co-existence of the conquerors with the indigenous populace, and the nature of the administration which was established once the initial conquests had taken place. One is struck by the ebb and flow of fortunes over the decades and centuries as expedient truces were agreed and then breached, and new alliances forged to recover lost territory or pride.

To my mind, the author is very even-handed, telling it as he sees it, and making some pointed references to the relative degree of "civilization" or humanity displayed by the two (or more sides) in each engagement or phase of the struggle. Some examination of social conditions and lifestyles in the territories being contested is also included  - the role and status of women is considered in some enlightening detail.

An intriguing aspect of the story for me was how the power struggles in Europe impinged on strategy and diplomacy in the Holy lands, and vice-versa.

As well as dealing with the central conflict of Christianity and Islam, the other activities which fell within a wider definition of "crusade" are illustrated and analysed. The gruesome tales of purges of heretics and other alleged "subversives" are shocking, even allowing for the less enlightened and tolerant times in which they occurred.

The author cleverly avoids being overtly judgemental, but I detected in places an implied distaste and disdain for the arrogance of the established church and its presumptions.

The demise and decline of crusading zeal are covered too, including the degree to which other pressing priorities closer to home took precedence.

I certainly know more about the Crusades after reading this book, and a knowledge of this prolonged stage of history is, I would suggest, valuable for a balanced view of European history in general.  Doubtless much more extensive and comprehensive material is out there, but this stands as a creditable attempt to explain the basics in a concise and digestible format.