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Fortifications in Wessex c. 800-1066

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Fortifications in Wessex c. 800-1066
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Ryan Lavelle
Illustrated by Donato Spedaliere
SeriesFortress
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:64
Dimensions(mm): Height 248,Width 184
Category/GenreBritish and Irish History
ISBN/Barcode 9781841766393
ClassificationsDewey:942.01
Audience
Undergraduate
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 35 b/w; 24 col

Publishing Details

Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publication Date 22 October 2003
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

The defence of the 9th-century kingdom of Wessex under King Alfred against the 'Great Viking Army' is one of the major military achievements of Early Medieval history. While the guerrilla warfare in the Somerset marshes and the battle of Edington are characteristic of Alfred's military abilities, his definitive physical achievement was a series of some 30 well-structured fortifications (known as burhs) across the kingdom. Many of these fortifications survive to this day and some were even reinforced to stand up to German tanks in the expected invasion of 1940. This title describes their beginnings in the turbulent early years of Alfred's reign as well as their subsequent development and use.

Author Biography

Ryan Lavelle has written on numerous aspects of Anglo-Saxon life and politics, including a study of the reign of Aethelred II 'the Unready'. He holds a PhD from the University of Southampton and currently lectures at King Alfred's College, Winchester. Donato Spedaliere was born in Switzerland, and moved to Tuscany at the age of ten, where he still lives. Having studied at the Instituto Nazionale di Belle Arti in Florence he served in the Italian Army as a paratrooper. He has worked as an illustrator for publishers in Italy and abroad and he is the chief illustrator of Alina Illustrazioni. Sarah Sulemsohn Spedaliere was born in Romania and emigrated to Israel with her family. Following a degree at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Sarah lectured at the University of Florence and in 1994 completed an architecture degree. They live in Arezzo, Italy.