Life in the Viking Great Army

[Bradrick]

I have already posted a Topic in here, regarding how highly I rated Hadley and Richards book 'The Viking Great Army and the Making of England' viewtopic.php?t=155673

I had reason to write to one of the authors, and he gave me a heads up on a book that he and Hadley will be bringing out next year (I already have it on pre-order), which (and I quote) "... goes into much more detail on the finds from Torksey".

It certainly looks like a very good read (a 'must have' for me). Here is the accompanying blurb:

The Viking Great Army that landed in East Anglia in late 865 had a lasting impact on English society, culture, politics, and economy.

The Viking Great Army landed in East Anglia in late 865 and over the following fifteen years it fought numerous battles in all four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, made and broke peace treaties, and deposed or killed at least three Anglo-Saxon kings, replacing them with its own appointees. It had a major impact on English society, initiating extensive transformations in Anglo-Saxon society, culture, economy, and political organisation. Previous Viking armies had raided only in the summer months, but the Great Army was a constant presence over this period, overwintering at various locations in northern and eastern England.

This presence changed the political, economic, and social landscape of England forever, but historical sources say very little about it. Now, new archaeological evidence has revealed the location of two of its camps, and at least fifty other places it visited. This book describes life in the tents and towns that the Viking Great Army inhabited: the treasure, tools, and weapons found in the camps and what they reveal about how the groups that made up the Army lived and the activities that took place, including the processing and trading of loot, the minting of coins, and the manufacture of jewellery. What emerges is evidence of a rich and diverse community whose impact on England can be traced to the present day.

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[Stubble trouble]

Sounds good Brad , I just got that last book you recommended as a Father’s Day present, really enjoying it, thanks for the heads up.
Cheers Rich.

[Bradrick]

Sounds good Brad , I just got that last book you recommended as a Father’s Day present, really enjoying it, thanks for the heads up.
Cheers Rich.

Glad you're enjoying it Rich. Both author's have researched the subject well, and the book really does give credit to the contribution of detectorists to our history.

[Stubble trouble]

Glad you're enjoying it Rich. Both author's have researched the subject well, and the book really does give credit to the contribution of detectorists to our history.

Yes, their research is very impressive.Its such a refreshing change to also see the appreciation in the work of detecting to help build a picture of what were turbulent times.
Cheers,Rich.

[liamnolan]

Thanks for the heads up Brad
I am reading several books at once, one being that first Viking Great Army book, but its slow going as it is crammed with all sorts of information that needs absorbing and contrasting with what I (think) I already know. I better get a move on tomorrow. Presently watching the Euros and Scotland up against the odds!
I am now back in Lincoln and the City museum has a really impressive array of finds and first class presentations of Scandinavian life in Lincoln, plus Torksey is just a 15 mins drive away.
I often visit there and ponder the past from the banks of the Witham. I would LOVE to get out detecting anywhere around there, so if any of our members is reading and has a permission there, and has room for a little bog trotter now and then, please, please PM me
Good luck everyone, Liam

[Bradrick]

Cheers Liam

Yes, I know what you mean. There is a lot of info, and trying to track the places visited to come up with one's own conclusion can require concentration. I'm actually giving it a second read now... I'm looking for the potential evidence for South Cambs. I'm looking forward to the follow-up book.

[liamnolan]

The more I read - slowly - of the Viking/Scandinavian incursions, the more I understand it was less of a "smash and grab" affair, but was combined with checking out land for settlements. They ended up with being gifted East Anglia, but very nearly got rid of Alfred completely
Their use of Flemish potters appears to have been what is described as a sort of Industrial Revolution, Torksey had the right clay and those pottery skills later migrated to other areas as the pottery business developed.
I often ponder on the past as I walk around in circles on a field The land we walk on may have had thousands of years habitation, plus there will be those way into the future who will walk in our own footsteps! So I now walk a bit slower and try to take in the landscape, contours, features and crops, animals and trackways, all are clues to the past.
People fled for their lives when raiders appeared and hastily buried valuables to recover afterwards, but sadly (for them) that sometimes never happened. Many hoards are modest affairs, perhaps some silver church ornaments, religious items and some coinage. The Vikings wanted silver, hacked into bullion, sometimes even gold, trading further down the line and yet they themselves buried their loot when routed or pursued or in advance of a battle. Hacked up church chalices from Irish churches have been found over in Russia, which shows the trading links and outer reaches.
Here in Lincoln we have a wonderful modern museum that has a tremendous amount of detected finds and very expertly displayed. The roads outside are Danesgate, Flaxengate, Danes Terrace .. all grouped within the roman Lindum Colonia, with Lincoln Castle and Cathedral all within a few mins walk from each other.
Great stuff!! Liam

[Bradrick]

Just a reminder for anyone who is interested in this book, but hasn't preordered it: It will be available from Amazon from 9th Jan.

It's a 'must-read' for me. The two authors are archaeologists; they have a massive regard for metal detectorists, and they give them credit.

[ratty]

Great heads up thank you. It's going on the list.
At the moment I'm chewing my way through Max Adams "The First Kingdom" deals with the departure of the Romans and into the beginning of the early Medieval Britain..