Micel Folcland Bibliography
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These books are recommended—or warned against—by members of the group and other medievalists.
Adkins, Lesley, Roy Adkins and Victoria Leitch. The Handbook of British Archaeology.
Arwidsson, Greta. The Mästermyr Find: A Viking Age Tool Chest from Gotland
Informative and well-illustrated volume on the famous Mästermyr tool find.
Profusely illustrated examination of London in the Early Middle Ages.
Carver. Martin. The Sutton Hoo Story: Encounters with Early England
Evan, D. H. And Christopher Loveluck. Life and Economy at Early Medieval Flixborough, c. AD 600-1000
Excellent collection of essays on various types of artefacts found at Flixborough.
Hall, Richard. Viking Age Archaeology (Shire Archaeology)
Hammond, Brett. British Artefacts: Late Saxon, Late Viking & Norman
Nice collection of illustrations.
Hodges. Richard. Goodbye to the Vikings? Re-reading Early Medieval Archaeology
Collection of interesting articles.
Mainman, A. J. Anglo-Scandinavian Pottery from 16-22 Coppergate (CBA Research Reports) (Vol 16)
Profusely illustrated examination of pottery work from the York Archaeological Trust.
Ottaway, Patrick. Anglo-Scandinavian Ironwork from 16-22 Coppergate, York: c.850-1100 A.D
Rizzoli (editor). From Viking to Crusader: The Scandinavians and Europe, 800-1200
Rogers, Walton. Textiles, Cordage and Raw Fibre from 16-22 Coppergate (The Archaeology of York)
Rogers, Walton. Textile Production at 16-22 Coppergate (The Archaeology of York: The Small Finds)
Schietzel, Kurt. Spurensuche Haithabu
Dickinson, Tania. Early Anglo-Saxon Shields (Archaeologia)
A slim but effective overview of the construction methods of Aglo-Saxon shields.
Heath, Ian. Illustrated by Angus McBride. The Vikings (Osprey Elite 3)
A sample of the British-written Elite series, which are larger and more specific books than the companion Man-At-Arms series. They are designed for gamers and modelers, not scholars, and feature neither notes nor bibliography. Still, they are good introductions, on a vast range of subjects.
Hjardar, Kim, and Vegard Vike (Translated by Frank Stewart). Vikings at War.
A recent translation of a Norwegian book and has many excellent pictures.
Peirce, Ian. Swords of the Viking Age
Profusely illustrated and exhaustive list of swords from the Viking Age.
Pollington, Stephen. The English Warrior from Earliest Times till 1066
Any book by Pollington is fabulous. He writes well and in a satisfying manner, answering your questions and not just (as it were) talking to hear himself talk. This volume has a glossary and fabulous illustrations. It is fascinating and educational reading even if large portions deal with periods that are pre-period for us.
Short, William. Viking Weapons and Combat Techniques
Book by the leader of Hurstwic, who bases his text not only on artifacts but on the Icelandic sagas and oop manuals.
Siddorn, Kim. Viking Weapons and Warfare
Authoritative book by Regia’s founder, with many photographs of Regia events as well.
Wise, Terence. Illustrated by G. A. Embleton. Saxon, Viking and Norman (Osprey Men-at-Arms 85)
A sample of the extensive, British-written Man-at-Arms series. They are designed for gamers and modelers, not scholars, and feature neither notes nor bibliography. Still, they are good introductions, on a vast range of subjects. This volume covers Regia’s period well.
Alexander, J. J. G. (ed.). Insular Manuscripts: 6th to the 9th Century
Vol. 1 of “Survey of Manuscripts Illuminated in the British Isles,” with an introduction, 354 illustrations and a detailed catalog.
Backhouse, Janet. The Lindisfarne Gospels
All major decorated pages and several representative canon and text pages, along with a comparison with other Celtic art.
Bain, George. Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction
Basic work on Celtic knotwork, keywork, etc, first published in 1951.
Bayeux Tapestry, The
A primary primary source. Available in various sizes and editions, both in color and monotone, the larger and more accurate a reproduction you can find, the better. Note that some persons decry using it for primary documentation, citing artistic liberties such as the color of horses. For the most part, it is easy to distinguish between what is a fairly faithful observation and artistic interpretation.
Benson, John H. & A. G. Carey. Elements of Lettering
Good book of history & technique for experienced calligraphers. Most scripts are illustrated with no further instruction. The Rotunda is beautiful.
Bouet, Pierre (editor). The Bayeux Tapestry: Embroidering the Facts of History
Series of essays from a conference on the Bayeux Embroidery, including points of how realistic details are, how colors and were attained and a set of photos from the back side. Available in English but only through French sources. If you have any interest in so many subjects, very recommended!
Bridgeford, Andrew. 1066: The Hidden History in the Bayeux Tapestry
Fascinating look at the Embroidery, explaining its techniques, meanings and history and why it’s not just an act of Norman propaganda.
Brown, Michele. The Lindisfarne Gospels: Society, Spirituality & the Scribe
An innovative book that sets the Lindisfarne Gospels into the context of artistic influences of the time.
Dodwell, C. R. Anglo-Saxon Art. A New Perspective
Hazel Uzzell notes: “The title is deceptive as it covers: Art survivals and written sources. Anglo-Saxon tastes. Artists and Craftsmen in Anglo-Saxon England. Painting and carving. Textiles. Costume and vestments. Jewellery, silver and gold. Anglo-Saxon Art and the Norman Conquest. In my opinion, it is one of the best books that I have read on the period.”
Drogin, Marc. Medieval Calligraphy: Its History and Techniques
A perfect balance of history and technique. Reproduces period examples and explains what to look for. Half the plates have transcriptions. Available in an inexpensive Dover reprint.
Ehrman, Bart D. Misquoting Jesus : the Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why
Ostensibly about the Bible, religion and changes in scripture caused by a variety of sources, what it says about professional scribes and details of copying manuscripts is both useful and interesting.
Fox, Michael, and Stephen R. Reimer. Mappae Mundi: Representing the World and its Inhabitants in Texts, Maps, and Images in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
Overview of mapmaking with many color illustrations, though none of the maps themselves.
Graham-Campbell, James. Viking Art (World of Art)
An excellent collection of artwork of various kinds from the Viking Age.
Henry, Francoise (ed.). The Book of Kells: Reproductions
Coffee-table book in a slipcase, with color plates reproducing major illuminations, followed by an historical article.
Johnston, Edward. Writing & Illuminating & Lettering
The first and one of the most consistently revered “bibles” of the art.
Lovett, Patricia. The Art and History of Calligraphy
A clear, well-illustrated book on calligraphy and manuscripts with a very interesting section on production of a manuscript.
McKendrick, Scot and Kathleen Doyle. The Art of the Bible: Illuminated Manuscripts from the Medieval World
Period and non-period facsimiles of pages from mediaeval manuscripts, including marvelously detailed pages from the Harley Psalter. Large and wonderfully reproduced pages.
Nordenfalk, Carl. Celtic and Anglo-Saxon Painting
Introductory article on book illumination in the British Isles during the 7th through 9th centuries, with color plates and commentary.
Page, R. I. Runes (Reading the Past)
Easily read and not new agey
Pollington, Stephen. Rudiments of Runelore
Good, brief introduction to the Fuþark by a man who helped name our group.
Shepherd, Margaret. Learning Calligraphy
The book I recommend to all beginners. Only five alphabets are studied, but each is examined in depth.
Svaren, Jacqueline. Written Letters: 22 Alphabets for Calligraphers
Little basic instruction, but graceful, accurate interpretations of modern and historical scripts.
Temple, Elzibeta. Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts, 900-1066
Vol. 2 of “Survey of Manuscripts Illuminated in the British Isles,” with a short introduction, 370 illustrations and a detailed catalog of 106 manuscripts.
Thornbury, Emily V. Becoming a Poet in Anglo-Saxon England
An intriguing and informative examination of Latin and English Poetry from the early middle ages, with many samples and examples.
Watson, Aldren A. Hand Bookbinding: A Manual of Instruction
A good book. The illustrations are so clear you almost don’t have to read the text.
Webster, Leslie. Anglo-Saxon Art
Profusely illustrated of artwork from Anglo-Saxon England, including items from the Staffordshire Hoard.
Weitzmann, Kurt. Late Antique and Early Christian Book Illumination
Survey. This period had mostly pictorial instead of abstract decoration.
Whalley, Joyce Irene. The Student’s Guide to Western Calligraphy
The emphasis is on script, but there are examples of simple illumination.
Brown, Peter. Augustine of Hippo
One of Norman Cantor’s Short List.
Douglas, David Charles. William the Conqueror; the Norman Impact upon England
Biography of the Bastard.
Duckett, Eleanor Shipley. Alfred the Great
Biography of vastly over-estimated Anglo-Saxon monarch.
Lavelle, Ryan. Æthelred II: King of the English
Apologist, revisionist biography of one of the—if not the—worst of the English kings.
Lawson, M. K. Cnut: England’s Viking King
Biography of the Norseman who sat the English throne so well.
Walker, Ian W. Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King
Biography of the last Anglo-Saxon king.
Williams, Gareth. Eirik Bloodaxe
Biography of one of the early significant figures in the Danelaw.
BLACKSMITHING, WOODWORKING & PRACTICAL ARTS
Bealer, Alex W. The Art of Blacksmithing
Good beginning blacksmithing book—includes some armor and weapons making.
Chinnery, Victor. Oak Furniture: the British Tradition
Covers all types of furniture very well, though from a British, present in Britain, or affecting British furniture making perspective. This is an excellent work, profusely illustrated and footnoted, and the discussion reflects the best of modern scholarship and resources.
Diehl, Daniel. Constructing Medieval Furniture
A practical guide with historical notes.
Fleming, James Evans. The Blacksmith’s Source Book
Excellent bibliography on the history of Blacksmithing. Annotated source to 300 works.
Mercer, Eric. Furniture: 700-1700
An overview of the development of furniture, with many excellent illustrations, both from primary sources and of the pieces themselves.
Oates, Phyllis. The Story of Western Furniture
An overview of European furniture styles and usages.
Watkins, F. L. Age of Wood
A look at woodworking during the Viking age, including woods, tools and methods.
Grewe, Rudolf (trans.) Libellus De Arte Coquinaria: An Early Northern Cookery Book
Four versions of the earliest cookbook since Classical times, not necessarily period for Regia, but probably from the twelfth century and closer to foods of the Viking Age than any other. Recipes are translated, not redacted.
Hagen, Anne. Anglo-Saxon Food & Drink
Irreplaceable volume dealing with foods known to be consumed by Anglo-Saxons prior to the Conquest, with notes on availability, uses and cooking methods. Invaluable.
Serra, Danzel, and Hanna Tunberg (editors). An Early Meal?: A Viking Age Cookbook & Culinary Guide
If you are in photography of food, an excellent collection of photographs, but only a mediocre collection of recipes and essays.
Tannahill, Reay. Food in History
An overview of culinary history. No recipes but plenty of information Often this can’t provide adequate coverage because there’s simply too much to cover.
Wilson, C. Anne. Food & Drink in Britain
If you want to know when and how ingredients or foods were first used, Wilson is the first place to look. Probably the most valuable reference book in English cooker.
Boucher, François. 20,000 Years of Fashion
A good overview of historical costuming, handicapped by its scope but containing a wealth of primary illustrations.
Brooks, Iris. Various titles
AVOID!
Burnham, D. Cut My Cote
Informative.
Crowfoot et al. Textiles and Clothing
For serious costume nuts.
Cunnington, Cecil Willett and Phillis. Handbook of English Medieval Costume
According to some historivcal costumers, Cunnington is the single most valuable source for costumery.
Ewing, Þor. Viking Costume
Overview of aspects of Norse clothing, drawing from earlier sources, archaeological investigation and the author’s own conclusions.
Norris, Herbert. Church Vestments: Their Origin and Development
Specialized look at ecclesiastical costume. A standard work with many patterns and illustrations. Because illustrations are redrawn from primary sources, care should be taken when using the book.
Norris, Herbert. Costume and Fashion: v 2—Senlac to Bosworth
Deals with the very end of the period covered by Regia. A standard work with many patterns and illustrations. Because illustrations are redrawn from primary sources, care should be taken when using the book.
Norris, Herbert. Costume and Fashion: v 1—Through the Earlier Ages
A standard work with many patterns and illustrations. Because illustrations are redrawn from primary sources, care should be taken when using the book.
Nurman, Britta, Carl Schulze and Torsten Verhulsdonk. The Vikings Recreated in Colour Photographs. Europa Militaria #16
Color photographs of Viking reenactors, a delightful hybrid of fact and supposition.
Stergård, Else. Woven into the Earth: Textiles from Norse Greenland
Dealing with archaeological finds from Greenland, including the famed 14th-century gowns, it has a minimal direct association with Regia’s period but is incredibly fascinating nonetheless.
Owen-Crocker, Gail. Dress in Anglo-Saxon England, Second Edition
Excellent source on the details of Anglo-Saxon costume. Minimally useful as practical guide as most of the information is aimed at researching the entire kit. Highly recommended!
Wagner, Eduard. Zoroslava Drobna and Jan Durdik. Medieval Costume, Armour and Weapons
Use this book with caution. It is mainly re-drawings from medieval manuscripts. A contemporary review of the original German book stated that the authors were obviously not costumers, so I would recommend using it only as a starting point.
Wilcox, Ruth Turner Wilcox. Various Titles
AVOID!
Al-Amin, Nashid. True Myth: Black Vikings of The Middle Ages
Controversial book that many Aryanists will froth over, but he makes quite a few good points that academic have tended to ignore and to overlook.
Alexander, Caroline. Lost Gold of the Dark Ages: War, Treasure, and the Mystery of the Saxons
A table featuring many excellent photographs of items from the Staffordshire Hoard, along with historical background.
Almgren, Bertil (editor). The Viking
Large-format and heavily illustrated coffee-table book that tells a lot about Viking culture and how certain things—for example, the loom and the turtle broaches—were accomplished. Expensive and outdated in some areas, but well worth it if you have an interest in things Norse and are willing to check on statements.
Anderson, Gunnar (editor), Vikings: Beyond the Legend
Color photos from te 2014–2015 Viking Exhibit when it appeared in Australia.
Anderson, Jay. Time Machines: The World of Living History
The seminal work about living history in all its aspects. The chapter on the SCA is “Princes Valiant.”
Aries, Philippe and Georges Duby (eds.). A History of Private Life Vol. II
Good book for an understanding of medieval times and people. Good pictures
Aston, Michael. Interpreting the English Village: Landscape and Community at Shapwick, Somerset
A detailed look at a single community through the ages.
Baker, Alan. The Viking
A modern and imaginative interpretation of Viking culture that harkens back to the worst Victorian romanticism. No notes, no real bibliography (just a list of other secondary and tertiary sources). AVOID!
Baldwin, John W. The Scholastic Culture of the Middle Ages, 1000-1300
Deals with the end of Regia’s period. On Stephen Silver’s Medieval Universities Bibliography.
Boswell, John. The Kindness of Strangers: The Abandonment of Children in Western Europe from Late Antiquity to the Renaissance
This book is not nearly as grim as the title suggests. The author argues that abandonment usually did not mean death, that children who could not be supported in one family usually found their way into families who wanted and needed them. Extraordinarily well written.
Boswell, John. Same Sex Unions in Premodern Europe
Well-documented, gay-friendly (Boswell was gay and died of AIDS) recounting of hushed-up tolerance of earlier Christianity.
Brehaut, Ernest (Trans.). An Encyclopedist of the Dark Ages
On Stephen Silver’s Medieval Universities Bibliography.
Brink. Stefan. The Viking World (Routledge Worlds)
A fine collection that looks at artifats from and everyday life in Viking-Age Scandinavia.
Brown, Nancy Marie. Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
Innovative book that examines the non-period Snorri Sturlusson, who wrote and probably invented tales of Norse mythology.
Byock, Jesse. Viking Age Iceland
An intensely vibrant and interesting view of Icelandic culture during the Free State
Cahill, Thomas. How the Irish Saved Civilization—The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe
A look at the Irish preservation of books during the early Middle Ages.
Crawford, Sally. Childhood in Anglo-Saxon England
A recommended book on how children were treated and acted in Anglo-Saxon England.
Crawford, Sally. Daily Life in Anglo-Saxon England
An outstanding book dealing mainly with the physical culture, drawing on the latest research. Great, even if it gives the Regia site as regis.com! One of Greenwood’s excellent “Daily Life Through History” series.
Deary, Terry. Gruesome Guides: York (Horrible Histories).
The Horrible Histories series are written for younger readers but are always informative and fun. This one is a history of the central city of the Danelaw.
Deary, Terry. The Smashing Saxons (Horrible Histories)
The Horrible Histories series are written for younger readers but are always informative and fun. This one covers Anglo-Saxon culture.
Deary, Terry. The Vicious Vikings (Horrible Histories)
The Horrible Histories series are written for younger readers but are always informative and fun. This one deals with Norse culture.
Du Chaillu, Paul. The Viking Age (2 volumes)
Early but profusely illustrated overview of Norse culture that is pertinent still today.
Dyer, Christopher, Making a Living in the Middle Ages: The People of Britain 850-1520
A good book on everyday life, but it unfortunately covers such a wide period of time that it is often cursory. Nevertheless, a good place to start.
Erdoes, Richard, A.D. 1000: Living on the Brink of Apocalypse
At first glance, yet another book about the turn of the First Millennium, but actually written some twelve years before and brought back into print for the Y2K scare. The subtitle pretty much describes the theme of the book.
Fagan, Brian. The Great Warming
A follow-up to The Little Ice Age, excellently written and dealing with the climate optimum. Only two chapter really deal with Britain, but these chapters should not be missed!
Fagan, Brian. The Little Ice Age
Although dealing primarily with 1300–1850, it also sets up the preceding warm era.
Feuerlichte, Roberta Strauss. Vikings (World Around Us)
Gloriously farbily illustrated graphic examine of Norse culture during the Viking Age, with illustrations by such noted comic artists as George Evans, Sam Glanzman, Gray Morrow, Norman Nodel and Angelo Torres.
Ferguson, Robert. The Vikings
A general study of Norse life during the Viking Age, incorporating the most current resources.
Fischer, David Hackett. Historians Fallacies
I cannot recommend this book enough. Just a cursory glance will change the way any reader looks at sources, historians and logic.
FitzHugh, William W. and Elizabeth I. Ward (eds.). Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga
A series of articles on aspects of Viking territorial expansionism, with appendices on representations of Vikings in popular culture and Viking reenacting, among other subject. Based on the traveling museum exhibit.
Frossier, Robert. (Translated by Lydia G. Chochrane). The Axe and the Oath: Ordinary Life in the Middle Ages
One might think from the subtitle that this would be an ideal book to read for living history that tries to re-create ordinary everyday life. That person would be wrong. The book is rambling, arrogant, defensive, undisciplined with nothing to back up the author’s assertions that people just never changed. What is worse, besides a lack of any provenance for the author’s statements, there are absolutely no citations, no bibliography, no index and no illustrations. Popular history should not be this unpopular.
Girouard, Mark. The Return to Camelot: Chivalry and the English Gentleman
Account on the Victorian medieval revival inspired by such writers as Scott, events as the Eglinton tourney and other aspects of popular culture, until its doom in the First Worl War.
Graham-Campbell, James. The Vikings: The British Museum, London
Catalog for a museum exhibits containing high-quality shots of artifacts.
Hadley. D. M. And Letty ten Harbel. Everyday Life in Viking-Age Towns
An examination and study of Norse communities in England and Ireland from 800–110.
Hall, Richard. Book of Viking Age York (English Heritage)
Informative and illustrated book written by the late director of the York Archaeological Trust.
Harty, Kevin. The Vikings on Film
Not currently up to date but very interesting.
Haywood, John. Encyclopedia of the Viking Age
A good collectionof essays on the era.
Haywood, John. Viking: The Norse Warrior’s [Unofficial] Manual
A light-hearted but informative book that features contributions from Kim Siddorn and other Regia folk.
Higham, Nicholas. The Anglo-Saxon World
A good overview of Anglo-Saxon England.
Holman, Katherine. Historical Dictionary of the Vikings
Good collection of entries on the era.
Holman, Katherine. The Northern Conquest: Vikings in Britain and Ireland
Up to date overview of Anglo-Scandinavian and Hiberno-Scandinavian relations. Very illuminating.
Howarth, David. 1066: The Year of the Conquest
Gloriously opinionated book that also covers everyday life in pre-Conquest Britain.
Hunawalt, Barbara A. The Ties That Bound: Peasant Families in Medieval England
Strictly speaking, outside the realm of Regia, but a peasant’s lifestyle remained the same for centuries. An entertaining and unique examination of common folk in the Middle Ages, relying to a great extent upon coroners’ roll. Sometimes macabre but always illuminating. Recommended.
Ingstad, Helge. Westward to Vinland: the Discovery of Pre-Columbian Norse House-sites in North America
Popularized account of the excavations at L’Ans aux Meadows done by the co-founder of the site.
James, Peter and Nick Thorpe. Ancient Inventions
A collection of inventions or innovations, how they were discovered and how much earlier they existed than commonly supposed.
Jochens, Jenny. Women in Old Norse Society
Fine examination of the role of women in Norse society.
Johnston, Ruth A All Things Medieval: An Encyclopedia of the Medieval World (2 Volume Set)
A compendium of articles, perhaps geared toward younger readers, tt deal with a good many subjects of interest to persons examining the Middle Ages.
Jones, Gwyn. The History of the Vikings
Well written overview of the Norse culture of the Viking Age.
Jones, Terry. Terry Jones’ Barbarians
Strictly speaking not our period but a very illuminating look at maligned peoples. From the television series.
Kolofny, Annette. In Search of First Contact
An innovative and opinionated look at the Norse in North America with great emphasis on the natives.
Koenigsberger. Medieval Europe, 400-1500
This is a real winner.
Labarge, Margaret Wade. Small Sound of the Trumpet
On medieval women.
Lacey, Robert and Danny Danziger. The Year 1000: What Life Was Like at the Turn of the First Millennium
Not really a cautionary tale comparing the turn of the First Millennium with the then-upcoming turn of the Second, but a good look at everyday life using the Julius Work Calendar as the internal theme. Dealing specifically with England.
Leahy, Kevin. Anglo-Saxon Crafts: Revealing History
This accessible volume addresses different crafts practiced by the Anglo-Saxons, including woodworking, leatherworking, pottery and textiles. Looking at surviving artifacts, Leahy comments on construction and technology.
Logan, Robert K. The Alphabet Effect
A thought-provoking book examining the difference results phonetic and ideogrammatic scripts impose on their cultures.
Loyn, H. R. The Vikings in Britain
An older but still valid book on the subject.
Magnusson, Magnus. Iceland Saga
Iceland is a fascinating culture, and this book very neatly and succinctly retells its history.
Magnusson, Magnus. Vikings
Companion to the television series, a good overview of the Viking era, profusely illustrated and engagingly written Later editions are slightly edited, less profusely illustrated but still well written.
Margeson, Susan. Viking
If you want to know a basic overview about something, find a kid’s book. Kids have an avid sense of curiosity, and they don’t accept the bullshit that adults sometimes seem willing to put up with. This is an Eyewitness book, and volumes consist of photographs of pertinent items both authentic and replica with a minimum of explanatory text. The opportunity to actually see the items in question, not merely to be told about it, is a welcome and edifying experience.
Oliver, Neil. The Vikings: A New History
A lot that is covered just as well in other books but containing new information and based on the latest facts.
Pollington, Stephen. Anglo-Saxon FAQs
Well-done series of questions and answers about the Anglo-Saxon culture.
Powell, T.G.E. The Celts
On Stephen Silver’s Barbarian Bibliography.
Pye, Michael. The Edge of the World: A Cultural History of the North Sea and the Transformation of Europe
A series of accounts and observations, some pertinent to England and Scandinavia in th early middle ages and others not at all. But always enlightening and interesting.
Roberts, Clayton and David. A History of England, Prehistory to 1714
A hellishly good textbook, well illustrated.
Roesdahl, Else. The Vikings
Well written overview of the Norse culture of the Viking Age.
Rollason, David. Early Medieval Europe 300–1050
An unorthodox overview of the period, with heavy concentration on England, giving a variety of viewpoints and often reminding me of a class trying to interpretation as well as the facts.
Sawyer, P. H The Oxford illustrated history of the Vikings
Excellent compilation of essays on various aspects of the Viking Age.
Schama, Seven. A History of Britain Volume One
A companion volume to the television series, brilliantly illustrated and audaciously written.
Skurlock, William H. The Book of Buckskinning II
Although directed toward early American reenactors, all of the Books of Buckskinning (seven volumes so far) contain articles of interest to reenactors from many time periods, including medieval. Book II is of special interest because of an article on constructing camp equipment. Highly recommended.
Tetlow, Edwin. Enigma of Hastings: William the Conqueror
A splendid examination of the Battle at Battle.
Wahlgren, Erik. The Vikings and America
Well-researched book on the controversial subject.
Wallace-Hadrill, John Michael. The Barbarian West, 400-1000
On Stephen Silver’s Barbarian Bibliography.
Wall, Martin. The Anglo-Saxons in 100 Facts
No listing of provenance or sources, so not recommended.
Wawn, Andrew. The Vikings and the Victorians: Inventing the Old North in Nineteenth-Century Britain (Modern History)
A look at the creation of the modern—and incorrect—interpretation of the Vikings.
Williams, Gareth, Peter Pentz and Matthias Wemhogg (editors). Vikings: Life and Legend
Wonderful color photos from and essays on the 2014–2015 Viking exhibition shown in Sweden, Australia and Chicago.
Williams, Mary Wilhelmine. Social Scandinavia in the Viking Age
A fascinating look at the social cultures of the Viking Age, written just on the cusp of the transformation from romantic Victorian history and modern objectionist history. Very interesting, though it mus b read with more than a little care.
Winroth, Anders. The Age of the Vikings
A very readable book that deals with much o the material that most books of this type deal with but also contains fascinating observations that are not generally available elsewhere and, when they are, are not generally brought together in a single place, with notes on clothing, on customs, on runic writing and on poetry. I would wish for more documentation, but the list of further reading is quite well done and informative.
Wolf, Kirsten. Daily Life of the Vikings
An excellent look at the Norse culture of the Viking Age, using the most current citations. One of Greenwood’s excellent “Daily Life Through History” series.
Wood, Michael. In Search of the Dark Ages
Early volume by Wood, a companion to the television series and cited by many Regia members as essential to forming and channel their interest in the early middle ages.
Robertson, Alec and Denis Stevens (ed.). The Penguin History of Music, Vol. I
Ancient forms to polyphony. Focuses on the development of music, mostly ecclesiastical, from plainsong to polyphony, ending around 1450. Keep a music dictionary nearby when you read this.
Dunkling, Leslie & William Gosling. Everyman’s Dictionary of First Names
Not a primary source but still a good jumping-off point.
Geirr Bassi Haraldsson. The Old Norse Name
A booklet designed for Marklanders (Norse reenactors) with names, sources and construction techniques from Landnabok and other primary sources.
Gordon, Noah. The Physician
A novel of a læce in Anglo-Saxon England and Arabia that is terribly slanted and poorly researched, with about five errors in Anglo-Saxon naming in the first paragraph.
Reany. P. H. A Dictionary of British surnames
The book on English surnames, not exactly a list and not exactly a treatise.
Searle, William George. Onomasticon Anglo-Saxonicum; a List of Anglo-Saxon Proper Names from the Time of Beda to That of King John
A glorious collation of names that appar in charters, historical accounts and many other primary accounts.
Smith, Elsdon C. New Dictionary of American Family Names
Contains a lot of information of value to medievalists.
Withycombe, E.G. The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names
A reliable and standard source for English personal names, with citations from primary sources.
Yonge, Charlotte M. A History of Christian Names
A dated but still fairly reliable source for personal names across a variety of cultures.
Bede. Ecclesiastical History of the English People
Seventh-century historical opus by an English monk. Pretty good!
Evensen, Erik. Gods of Asgard
A graphic novel version of the Eddas, stylistically done and true to the source. Not your father’s Mighty Thor!
Cockayne, Oswald (editor and traslater). Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England
Three volumes translating several Anglo-Saxon leechbooks in the mid-1860s, including the Leechbook of bald, the herbarium of Apuleius Barbarus , Dioscorides Pedanius and Sextus Placitus. Archaic translations, sometimes a bit prudish but still very useful.
Crawford, Jackson. The Poetic Edda
Recent translation by a marvelous scholar...who rewrote "Star Wars" as an Icelandic saga and made it work!
Delanty, Greg (ed.). The Word Exchange: Anglo-Saxon Poems in Translation
A collection of newly translated Old English poetry of various types and subjects.
Garbaty, Thomas J. Medieval English Literature
History good. Text in original & translation. Good for learning period English
Geoffrey of Monmouth. History of the Kings of Britain
The fantastic history of Britain, often referred to but little read, source of the Arthurian legends and a damned fun read. Translated by Sebastian Evans.
Heaney, Seamus (Trans.). Beowulf
An essential early English epic, which remains exciting and interesting today. Available in many translations, this is a recent one that is recommended.
Hollander, Lee (trans). The Poetic Edda
I prefer this translation to Auden’s more famous translation, but your tastes may vary
Ibn Fadlan, Ahmed (Richard N. Frye and Richard N. Frye (eds. and trans.) Ibn Fadlan's Journey To Russia
The complete story of Ibn Fadlan’s journrey to Russia, which includes his encounters with the eastern Vikings, the Rus. This was the start—and is quoted—in Michael Crichton’s Eaters of the Dead, which as filmed as “The Thirteenth Warrior.”
Magnusson, Magnus & Hermann Palsson (Trans,). Njal’s Saga
Probably the best known of the Norse sagas.
Nicol, Alexandra (editor). Domesday Book: Facsimiles with Introduction
Complete translation of the Domesday Book, William’s detailed list of the farms and goods of England, which owed as much to Anglo-Saxon as to Norman England.
Pollington, Stephen. Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plant-Lore and Healing
Essays and translations of Old English leechbooks. The subject of medicine in the early middle ages is fascinating, often misunderstood and a fun subject. Imedicine of the period can be a combination of the humorous, the gross, the superstitious and the practical, and Pollington provides as usual a great overview, with not enough illustrations but a number of modern translations of period works.
Ross, James B. & Mary M. McLaughlin (eds.). The Portable Medieval Reader
A rich and varied collection of period writings.
Swanton, Michael (trans). Anglo-Saxon Prose Swanton (Everyman Paperback Classics)
A collection of prose work from Old English.
Theophilis. On Diverse Arts
Has done great things for numerous people in metalworking and such.
Thorsson, Ornolfur (ed.). The Sagas of the Icelanders
A collection of translations by various persons of sagas and þaettir, with valuable notes and appendixes. The sagas are indispensable reading, and this is a rich and meaty collection. The names of the actual editors are hidden, and the name of novelist Jane Smiley—the author of the depressing The Greenlanders and author of the preface—is displayed more prominently than the name of the editor.
Whitelock, Dorothy (trans.). Anglo-Saxon Wills
Wills are often the best judge of everday life since the things passed down are often objects from everyday life.
Carnes, Mark (ed.). Past Imperfect: History According to the Movies
A collection of articles contrasting the view of history presented by cinema and by reality.
Cowley, David. How We’d Talk If The English Had Won in 1066
A list of words that have fallen out of the English language because of words introduced after the Norman invasion.
Cowley, David. 1066—Words We’d Wield If We’d Won
Another list of words that have fallen out of the English language because of words introduced after the Norman invasion.
Evans, Bryan. Plain English: A Wealth of Words
A collection of words with an Old English source.
Fraser, George MacDonald. The Hollywood History of the World
A contrast of the view of history presented by cinema and by reality, written by the author of the Flashman books and the screenwriter of the Richard Lester “Three Musketeers” and “Four Musketeers.”
Harty, Kevin J. The Vikings on Film: Essays on Depictions of the Nordic Middle Ages
The subject of Norse on films is examined in several essays.
Love, Matt. Learn Old English with Leofwin
A simplistic and effective book dealing with the learning of Old English.
Mohr, Melissa. Holy Shit: A Brief History of Swearing
An overview of cussin' from cient times until the present, with n excellent look at swearing in the early middle ages and why those words we call Anglo-Saxon cuss words are not. Not Suitable for Work, Young Folks or Prudes.
Zoëga, Geir T. A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic
Excellent reference book, translating Old Norse to English.
Ewing, Þor. Viking Myths—Stories of the Norse Gods and Goddesses
Read the eddas if possible rather than a retelling of Norse myths, but Ewing's efforts are good efforts.
Van Liere, Frans. An Introduction to the Medieval Bible
An interesting look at the medieval Bible, physically, religiously and literarily.
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