For the first time I have a grasp of what might have gone on from 410 AD to 600 AD. Speculation, but based on the sources, such as they are, and I'm ready to go along with that, at least until the concluding chapter or so. I am beginning to grasp the sheer amount of history, the multitude of generations. And that is just in our small corner of the world. Still it is my corner and I'm not finished with this period - lots more to learn about the dark earth of the towns so I'll keep an eye on the archaeology. ( )

Matthews's justification for the (to my mind exaggerated) title of this book is that he says Britain as primarily Romano-British, with Anglo-Saxons primarily as mercenaries, until the late 500s. He believes that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (early part written in the 800s) misrepresented the early kings of Wessex as Saxon invaders when they were actually Romano-British. He bases Ceawlin's life largely on a Welsh account of one Cullen whom he identifies with the Kong Ceawlin of the chronicle. The Welsh story (as he admits) has what are obviously mythical elements, but he believes it has a historical basis. Personally I am skeptical. He believes that Ceawlin was the last Romano-British "Wide Ruler" who claimed to be over lord of all the small British kingdoms, but that his defeat was followed by a series of takeovers by "Anglo-Saxon "mercenaries" in a number of kingdoms. I think the Anglo-Saxons may have already controlled several of those kingdoms already, possibly including Ceawlin's which became Saxon Wessex. THe book does include what i think is a very good description of the weapons, armor, and tactics of warriors of the period. ( )

For the first time I have a grasp of what might have gone on from 410 AD to 600 AD. Speculation, but based on the sources, such as they are, and I'm ready to go along with that, at least until the concluding chapter or so. I am beginning to grasp the sheer amount of history, the multitude of generations. And that is just in our small corner of the world. Still it is my corner and I'm not finished with this period - lots more to learn about the dark earth of the towns so I'll keep an eye on the archaeology. ( )