Genealogical and historical perspectives on Medieval history
Welcome to your Anglo-Saxon History reading list of recommended books. I’ve covered a wealth of books from historical, to cultural, to genetic, to archaeological to inspire your imagination. The list includes books that I have read or have come recommended on the subject; and while no where near exhaustive (there […]
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The Plantagenet dynasty is the one that made England, “England.” This Plantagenet dynasty reading list are books in historical order spanning a dynasty that lasted over 330 years! Henry II inherited an challengingly complex kingdom from the previous Norman Dynasty. You may have your own favourite English dynasty, of course;
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The Norman Dynasty was one of profound change in England. This Norman dynasty reading list are books in historical order as a part of my English Reading Series. What follows is a suggested Norman dynasty reading list in proper historical order to satiate your thirst for English Norman history. The
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Alison Weir continues her 4-Book series “England’s Medieval Queens” with BOOK TWO entitled “Queens of the Crusades.” BOOK ONE was entitled “Queens of the Conquest” published in 2017 and was superb. Spanning the first 5 queens of the Plantagenet era is this book “Queens of the Crusades,” released in 2021.
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Every serious medieval historian has Eleanor of Aquitaine books on their shelf. Below is an annotated bibliography of 15 books that I have read and/or own about the person who I consider to be history’s greatest queen. Eleanor of Aquitaine had it all! She had land, she had power, she
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Am I allowed to use a Coat of Arms for my Surname? That is the million dollar question to which the answer is both YES and NO. I will cover the DO’s and DON’Ts of using a Coat of Arms for your surname (family name) and also cover the use
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Graham Robb “The Ancient Paths” is a neat little romp through a forgotten aspect of the Celts: how they mind mapped ancient Europe! I have to say Graham Robb’s conclusions are very compelling as a linguist, historian, and genealogist. What he has uncovered in this book, I would call ground-breaking.
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The book “1066: The Hidden History in the Bayeux Tapestry” by Andrew Bridgeford will make you question EVERYTHING you’ve ever been taught on the subject! And it’s a good thing too! When I first saw this book I started out thinking “here’s just another Bayeux milieu,” this book will be
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Who were the Norman “Matildas” and Plantagenet “Eleanors” of England? Between 1066 and 1327 they were some of England’s most powerful queens. I like to say, some of the most powerful European monarchs of all time! INTRODUCTORY TERMINOLOGY: people belonged to HOUSES, multi-generational houses were dubbed DYNASTIES. This is important
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Heraldic lion positions are those such as “passant guardant,” “rampant,” and so forth. They are technically referred to as “attitudes,” or positioning of an emblazoned lion’s head and body. Attitudes technically include other beasts as well; however, lions are what we are focusing on here. Each chart was lovingly created
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A History of the Crusades, 3 Volume Box Set, published by the preeminent Folio Society in 2003, was written by Steven Runciman and is definitely a collector’s item for any serious Crusade scholar and book nerd (#booknerd). You know that you’re a book nerd when you get so excited that
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This is the book I’ve been waiting for! “Daughters of Chivalry: The Forgotten Children of Edward I” is akin to the perfectly faceted jewel affixed to the perfectly crafted ring: it is mesmerizing from afar yet intricately complex upon microscopic adoration. Author Kelcey Wilson-Lee examines the lives of the children
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A book about 4 Norman queens of England, “Queens of the Conquest” is a lavishly-detailed account that takes you through the Norman Dynasty into the Plantagenet Dynasty through the eyes of its medieval queens. This is a superb narrative for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes lives of the founding families
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Books about Charlemagne! Here are THE 5 best books about Charlemagne that you cannot do without, plus 14 more recommendations! As someone who reads extensively, these are my recommendations with annotations. Want to know everything about King Charlemagne? Well here you go! Charlemagne, aka Charles The Great, aka Karl der
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It’s virtually a meta-book on Charlemagne! “Becoming Charlemagne” by Jeff Sypeck was an unexpected find in a bookstore in Nashville, Tennessee that totally transformed my understanding of the “Father of Europe.” Compared to “The Two Lives of Charlemagne” or Fried’s “Charlemagne,” Jeff Sypeck’s treatment of King Charlemagne was a different
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