Lighting Up the Dark Ages

by Edoardo Albert
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5 books
They weren’t really dark. The period between the Romans leaving and the Normans arriving was the most important in British history. It was when a single land mass became three separate countries: England, Wales and Scotland. A new religion brought a fresh hope and new learning. And the longest-lasting parts of our culture were established: cities and towns, the division into shires, and the making of the landscape. The Dark Ages weren’t so dark after all. Here are five books to brighten the darkness.
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In Search of the Dark Ages

Michael Wood, 2015
He’s not just a pretty face. Michael Wood’s introduction to the Dark Ages is still the best one-volume introduction to the period. It’s informed by a deep passion for the subject and the latest research when it was written, while the writing is beautifully clear. The chapter on Æthelstan, the first king of England, is particularly good.

The King in the North

The Life and Times of Oswald of Northumbria
Max Adams, 2013
Max Adams’ book is an intriguing mixture of archaeology and history that brings into vivid view the life and times of Oswald of Northumbria, the inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s Aragorn. We follow Oswald from his hurried flight into exile as a boy, through his time as an exiled prince in the northwest of Scotland, to his return to reclaim the throne of Northumbria. It’s a great story and a remarkable synthesis of fresh archaeological and historical research.

A.D. 500

A Journey Through the Dark Isles of Britain and Ireland
Simon Young, 2005
A hugely entertaining book doing exactly what it says in the subtitle. The narrator is an emissary from the court at Constantinople, arrived in Britain to see what these erstwhile Imperial subjects are up to and to gather information for their reincorporation into the Empire. It’s a delightful conceit, and Young makes the best use of it. If you want a fun introduction to the Dark Ages, this is the one.

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People

The Greater Chronicle ; Bede's Letter to Egbert
Saint Bede (the Venerable), 1999
Without Bede, there wouldn’t be any history for the English before the time of Alfred the Great. This is the single most important history book written in this country but not only is it important, it’s also a delight. Bede was a supremely accomplished historian and storyteller and his book vaults over the separation of centuries to speak directly to people living today.

The Anglo-Saxon World

Nicholas J. Higham, M. J. Ryan, 2013
The best one-volume introduction to the whole field of Anglo-Saxon history. It’s a brilliant overview, with chapters ranging from early archaeology to the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. For anyone looking to go deeper into the Dark Ages, this is a great place to start.