European history Books

Book SynopsisAnne of Cleves left her homeland in 1539 to marry the king of England. She was not brought up to be a queen, yet out of many possible choices she was the bride Henry VIII chose as his fourth wife. But, from their first meeting the king decided he liked her not and sought an immediate divorce. After just six months their marriage was annulled, leaving Anne one of the wealthiest women in England. This is the story of Anne's marriage to Henry, how the daughter of Cleves survived him and her life afterwards. The latest in the series of popular Tudor biographies from Sarah-Beth Watkins, author of Lady Katherine Knollys: The Unacknowledged Daughter of King Henry VIII

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Book SynopsisOften imitated but never equalled, John Breslin and Sarah-Anne Buckley are back with the third instalment of their bestselling Old Ireland in Colour series. Beloved by Irish readers at home and abroad, for this new volume the authors have uncovered yet more photographic gems and breathed new life into them in glorious colour. All of Irish life is here ? from an eviction in Clare in 1888 to devastating floods in Strabane and a snapshot of working life in Dublin. Famous faces from politics and the arts appear alongside hard-working labourers and farmers, and mischievous children from all corners of the island light up this book?s glorious pages. With endless surprising details to pore over in every picture, along with illuminating captions, Old Ireland in Colour 3 is a stunning addition to this wonderful series of unique books.

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The French Riviera: A History ranges from the Terra Amata in Nice, occupied from 380,000 years ago and one of the oldest inhabited prehistoric sites in the world, through to settlement by Greeks, Romans, Franks, Ostrogoths and Visigoths, wars and revolutions, to the establishment of the Silicon Valley of France in Sophia-Antipolis in 1974. Michael Nelson shows the surprisingly cosmopolitan nature of the area in the early middle ages, such as the story of the finishing school run by Frankish kings in the 7th century where Siagrius, the ruler of the region, had studied and where the son of King Edwin of Northumbria in England was also sent. The Riviera was part of Provence in France for much of its history and was often a microcosm of France itself, with many dynastic struggles and horrific blood-letting. Colour maps and plates illustrate The French Riviera: A History, and it is also full of fascinating anecdotes. Examples include the loan of a guillotine by Nice to Grasse in the French Revolution (Nice had no victims and Grasse had thirty) and the occasion when Jean Moulin, the leader of the French Resistance in World War II, invited the Germans to the opening of an art gallery in Nice which he was using as a front. In the nineteenth and twentieth century the British and Americans led tourism, and the Riviera was described by Somerset Maugham as ‘a sunny place for shady people’. The French Riviera: A History is a fascinating look back over the Riviera’s rich history. Perfect to dip into, or follow the whole historical journey in one sitting, it will make the perfect addition to any history buff’s bookcase.

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Book SynopsisWhen Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, many in the West were left stunned at his act of brutal imperialism. To those who had been paying attention, however, the warning signs of the bloodshed and slaughter to come had been there for years. Tracing the relationship between the two countries from the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 to Putin's invasion in 2022, what emerges from this gripping and accessible book is a portrait of a nation caught in a geopolitical tug of war between Russia and the West. While Russia is identified as the sole aggressor, we see how Western bodies such as the EU and NATO unrealistically raised Ukraine's expectations of membership before dashing them, leaving Ukraine without formal allies and fatally exposed to Russian aggression. As a former international observer, Samir Puri was present for several of the major events covered in this book. He uses this experience to ask honestly: how did we get here? Why does Vladimir Putin view Ukraine as the natural property of Russia? Did the West handle its dealings with these countries prudently? Or did it inflame the tensions left amidst the ruins of the Soviet Union? Were there any missed opportunities to avert the war? And how might this conflict end?

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Book SynopsisFrom 1999 to 2009, Damian McBride worked at the heart of the Treasury and No. 10. He was a pivotal member of Gordon Brown’s inner circle before a notorious scandal propelled him out of Downing Street and onto the front pages. When he released his memoir Power Trip in 2013, its frank depiction of the dirty work that props up British politics was greeted with shock, disgust and awe. Never before had the lid been blown off the Westminster system with such ferocity. Throughout the book, McBride made no effort to cleanse his reputation; instead, he sought relentlessly to expose the manipulation, plotting and skullduggery that lay at New Labour’s core. Ten years on, Power Trip remains the essential guide to understanding the murky underbelly of modern politics and how it can shape and corrupt those who inhabit it for too long. Now updated with a new foreword, this is the 10th anniversary edition of the most explosive political memoir of the past decade.

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Book SynopsisDistinguished Professor Abraham Ascher offers an impressive blend of engaging narrative and fresh analysis in this perennially popular introduction to Russia. Newly updated on the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia: A Short History begins with the origins of the first Slavic state, and continues to the present-day tensions between Russia and its neighbours, the rise of Vladimir Putin, and the increasingly complex relationship with the United States.Trade Review"A brilliant balancing act. A comprehensive introduction for the general reader." * Rusistika *

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Book SynopsisMary Wollstonecraft, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, Millicent Fawcett, Emmeline Pankhurst, Constance Markievicz, Nancy Astor They terrorised the establishment. They fought for the vote. They pushed back boundaries and revolutionised our world. For the hundredth anniversary of the historic moment the franchise was finally extended to women, here is a selection of suffragette and suffragist activists and pioneering MPs from the pages of Jenni Murray’s bestselling A History of Britain in 21 Women. Set against the backdrop of a world where equality is still to be achieved, it is a vital reminder of the great women who fought for change.Trade Review‘Celebrates the defiant spirit of Britain’s groundbreaking heroines’ * Daily Mail *‘The perfect introduction to the female pioneers who spearheaded the women’s movement and the fight for women’s suffrage.’ * Vintage Life *

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Book SynopsisA BBC History Magazine Book of the Year A writer, soldier, politician, courtier, spy and explorer, Sir Walter Ralegh lived more lives than most in his own time, in any time. The fifth son of a Devonshire gentleman, he rose to become Queen Elizabeth’s favourite, only to be charged with treason by her successor. Less than a year after the death of his Queen, Ralegh was in the Tower, watching as the scene was set for his own execution. Patriot or Traitor is the dramatic story of his rise and fall.Trade Review‘What brings the book to brilliant life is Ralegh’s voice. In conversation with his writing, Beer’s prose soars… It’s hard not to think Sir Walter would have approved.’ * Guardian *‘Beer’s book is a rigorous and readable take on her subject – it captures the full scope of the character of Ralegh, one that remains frustrating, but endlessly fascinating.’ * The Times *‘This beautifully written and impeccably researched biography offers a fresh perspective on one of the most colourful and controversial characters of the Tudor and Stuart age. The hero of Elizabeth I and the scourge of her successor, Ralegh is brought to life as never before.’ -- Tracy Borman, author of The Private Lives of the Tudors‘With colourful detail and astute interpretation, esteemed historian Beer follows Ralegh’s dramatic rise and disastrous fall… the full story is well-told here.’ * Booklist *‘Heroic, grasping, gifted, a poet and politician, an explorer, dreamer and schemer – an iconic renaissance man brought vividly to life in this work of maturity, judgement and humanity.’ -- Sarah Fraser, author of The Prince Who Would Be King‘A fascinating investigation of Ralegh – bringing to life this complex, mysterious character, and the beginnings of the Elizabethan Empire in all its brutal reality – showing us the world he travelled and the Queen herself, commanding, frustrating, and unpicks the truth of his shocking and rapid fall from power.’ -- Kate Williams, author of Rival Queens‘A fascinating reappraisal. Beer brings Ralegh to life as a man, as well as providing exceptional detail on the times in which he lived. I highly recommend it.’ -- Elizabeth Norton, author of The Lives of Tudor Women‘Writing with pace and personality, Anna Beer captures Sir Walter Ralegh in all his paradoxical complexity: his bravery and intellectual energy, the man of violence who also wrote passionate poetry, his lust for life competing with a desire for a good death. Sometimes drawn to Ralegh and at other times repelled by him, Anna Beer assays his career with honesty and sharp observation.’ -- John Cooper, author of The Queen’s Agent‘Much of what we think we know about Sir Walter Ralegh – potatoes, tobacco, spreading his cloak over a “plashy place” – is fable. The real story is far more exciting. Here was a man who both achieved and failed extravagantly, who was both hated and loved excessively, and who both lived life and faced death courageously. In this fascinating, eloquent and scholarly new book, Anna Beer reveals the full measure of the man.’ -- Suzannah Lipscomb, author of The King is Dead: The Last Will and Testament of Henry VIII

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Book Synopsis'An entertaining and insightful human story of obsession about books.' Daily Telegraph'A lively tale of historical innovation, the thrill of the bibliophile's hunt, greed and betrayal.' New York TimesThe never-before-told story of one extremely rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible, and its impact on the lives of the fanatical few who were lucky enough to own it.For rare book collectors, an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible - there are only forty-six in existence - is the undisputed gem of any collection. The Lost Gutenberg recounts five centuries in the life of one particular copy of the Bible from its very creation by Johannes Gutenberg in Mainz, Germany, to its ultimate resting place, in a steel vault under the protection of the Japanese government. Margaret Leslie Davis draws readers into this incredible saga, inviting them into the colourful lives of each of its fanatic collectors along the way. Exploring books as objects of desire across centuries, Davis will leave readers not only with a broader understanding of the culture of rare book collectors, but with a deeper awareness of the importance of books in our world.Trade ReviewA thrilling page turner * Daily Mail *An entertaining and insightful human story of obsession about books, and a telling examination of what inspires those who catch the collecting bug. -- Peter Stanford * Daily Telegraph *A lively tale of historical innovation, the thrill of the bibliophile's hunt, greed and betrayal. * New York Times *Davis makes bibliographic history utterly page-turning and absorbing... Brilliantly told * Booklist (starred review) *The remarkable tale of "Number 45", one of the finest copies of the Gutenberg Bible in existence... Davis does a fine job telling a fascinating story that touches on the origin of books, the passion of collectors, the unseen world of rare-book dealers, and the lives of the super-rich, past and present. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *A gripping, well-researched account of the importance of books as cultural artifacts and of one particular work that transformed the world, as well as the lives of those who owned a copy. * Library Journal *A fascinating exploration of the shifting value we place on rare books, and the shifting wealth and power of those who hunt them. -- Michael Blanding, bestselling author of The Map ThiefBibliophiles love books, and none more than the book collector's dream of dreams, a Gutenberg Bible. Davis writes not just with skill but also with sympathy and even love. A richly informative and deeply moving story. -- Jack Miles, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of God: A BiographyA spellbinding read, and Margaret Leslie Davis is a damn good storyteller. -- Noël Riley Fitch, author of Sylvia BeachDavis records the history of this book with enthusiasm and attention to detail. * History Today *Fascinating... An engaging analysis of bibliomania which also throws light on commercial and investment history in Britain and America. * Church Times *What's truly surprising about The Lost Gutenberg is that Davis makes the 500-year journey of this one book more exciting than any spy novel. For the imaginative Hollywood producer, this book's life story could provide the basis for a richly enjoyable big-budget blockbuster. The action travels across centuries and moves from England to Los Angeles to Tokyo, bringing together the avaricious, duplicitous and deeply religious, all driven by the same desire: to own a copy of one of the most famous books in the world. * Catholic Herald *Table of Contents1: The Imperial Century 1: Million-Dollar Bookshelf 2: Treasure Neglected 3: The Bibliophile 4: The Patriot 2: The American Century 5: The Mighty Woman Book Hunter 6: The Lost Gutenberg 7: The Countess and Her Gutenberg 8: The Nuclear Bibliophiles 3: The Asian Century 9: The Unexpected Betrayal 10: The Virtual Gutenberg 11: Final Bows

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Book SynopsisIn this compelling tour of the classical world, Peter Jones reveals how it is the power, scope and fascination of their ideas that makes the Ancient Greeks and Romans so important and influential today. For over 2,000 years these ideas have gripped Western imagination and been instrumental in the way we think about the world. Covering everything from philosophy, history and architecture to language and grammar, Jones uncovers their astonishing intellectual, political and literary achievements.First published twenty years ago, this fully updated and revised edition is a must-read for anyone who wishes to know more about the classics - and where they came from.Trade ReviewWell-argued and engaging * Mary Beard, TLS *If this book doesn't encourage a rebirth in interest in the Classics, nothing will. * Contemporary Review *Fascinating... It is learned but an easy read, a rare combination. * Christopher Howse, Daily Telegraph on Memento Mori *An often amusing, always illuminating, guide which offers an intriguing vantage point at which to examine Roman life. * All About History on Memento Mori *Table of Contents0: Introduction 1: Classical Connections: 700 bc to ad 500 2: The Survival of Ancient Literature 3: Excavating the Past: Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis 4: Democracy's Brief Day 5: Men on Women 6: Emperor and Empire 7: The City of Lepcis Magna 8: The English Vocabulary 9: The Language of Grammar 10: Stoics and Epicureans 11: Breaking the Ancient Stranglehold

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Book SynopsisA Daily Mail Book of the Year and a The Times and Sunday Times Best Book of 2021'Monumental.. Authoritative and highly readable.' Ben Macintyre, The Times'A fascinating history of royal espionage.' Sunday Times'Excellent... Compelling' GuardianFor the first time, Spying and the Crown uncovers the remarkable relationship between the Royal Family and the intelligence community, from the reign of Queen Victoria to the death of Princess Diana. In an enthralling narrative, Richard J. Aldrich and Rory Cormac show how the British secret services grew out of persistent attempts to assassinate Victoria and then operated on a private and informal basis, drawing on close personal relationships between senior spies, the aristocracy, and the monarchy. Based on original research and new evidence, Spying and the Crown presents the British monarchy in an entirely new light and reveals how far their majesties still call the shots in a hidden world.Previously published as The Secret Royals.Trade ReviewThis monumental book is really a history of the British secret services, focusing on the fascinating moments when this intersects with royal history... Authoritative and highly readable... As every page of this book attests, the royals have always been involved in secretly directing the affairs not just of this country but of many others. -- Ben Macintyre * The Times, 'Book of the Week' *Bizarre and disturbing episodes are revealed in this excellent history of the royal family's relationship with espionage... Richard Aldrich and Rory Cormac's fascinating history argues that modern intelligence evolved out of efforts to prevent Queen Victoria being assassinated... Through unbelievably thorough research - all of it fully referenced for grateful future scholars - they have compiled something comprehensive and compelling. * Guardian *A fascinating history of royal espionage... The book, which stretches back to Elizabeth I and her spymaster Sir Francis Walsingham, has something of interest on pretty much every page. -- Rowland White * Sunday Times *Gripping * Daily Mail, 'Books of the Year' *Authoritative and gripping. * Observer *Their mastery of a subject that is extensive both chronologically and in its geographical scope is assured and impressive... An intriguing alternative narrative of British royal history. -- Matthew Dennison * Sunday Telegraph *Aldrich and Cormac have written an important book. Packed with new material and fresh insights, it offers an original way of looking at royal history. It's also a very good read. -- Jane Ridley * Literary Review *[A] thorough and informed survey of how matters of high state have really worked - and work. -- Alan Judd * Spectator *Intricate, ingenious and determined... Intelligent, fair-minded and a pleasure to read. * Times Literary Supplement *A valuable and unmissable read. -- Alexander Larman * The Chap *Outstanding research that shines a light into the very darkest corners of the British establishment. Filled with royal revelations - our monarchs are viewed through an entirely new lens - as keepers of the secrets and even as spy chiefs. Were Victoria and Elizabeth II more like 007's mysterious "M"? This is the royals as we have never seen them before and each story is supported with startling new evidence. -- Kate Vigurs, author of Mission France, on The Secret RoyalsTable of Contents1: Elizabeth I and Modern Espionage 2: Popish Plots and Public Paranoia 3: Queen Victoria: Assassins and Revolutionaries 4: Queen Victoria's Secrets: War and the Rise of Germany 5: Queen Victoria's Great Game: Empire and Intrigue 6: Queen Victoria's Security: Fenians and Anarchists 7: Edward VII and the Modernization of Intelligence 8: King George V and the Great War 9: King George V and the Bolsheviks 10: Abdication: Spying on Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson 11: Outbreak of the Second World War 12: War in the Americas 13: Th e End of the Second World War 14: Raiding Missions: Fighting for the Secret Files 15: Princess Elizabeth: Codename 2519 16: Queen Elizabeth II: Coronation and Cold War 17: Nuclear Secrets 18: Queen Elizabeth's Empire: Intrigue and the Middle East 19: Discreet Diplomacy: Th e Royals in Africa 20: Discreet Diplomacy: Th e Global Queen 21: Terrorists and Lunatics, 1969-1977 22: Terrorists and Lunatics, 1979-1984 23: Going Public 24: Bugs and Bugging 25: The Diana Conspiracy

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Book SynopsisInternationally acclaimed Israeli historian Shlomo Sand made his mark with books such as The Invention of the Jewish People and The Invention of the Land of Israel. Returning here to an early fascination, he turns his attention to the figure of the French intellectual. From his student years in Paris, Sand has repeatedly come up against the "great French thinkers." He has an intimate knowledge of the Parisian intellectual world and its little secrets, on which he draws to overturn certain myths attaching to the figure of the "intellectual" that France prides itself on having invented. Mixing reminiscence and analysis, he revisits a history that, from the Dreyfus Affair through to Charlie Hebdo, seems to him that of a long decline. As a long-time admirer of Zola, Sartre and Camus, Sand is staggered to see what the French intellectual has become today, in such characters as Michel Houellebecq, Eric Zemmour and Alain Finkielkraut. In a work that gives no quarter, and focuses particularly on the Judeophobia and Islamophobia of the elites, he casts on the French intellectual scene a gaze that is both disabused and mordant.Trade ReviewIn a book that is both scholarly and autobiographical, political and polemical, the historian Shlomo Sand traces a story of decline and fall. And yet, this son of a scarcely literate housewife and a Communist militant who failed to finish school had long sought to join the privileged band. As an adolescent, he even dreamed of becoming one of the 'mandarins' portrayed by Simone de Beauvoir. Their troubling reaction to Nazi occupation, their blindness towards Stalinism, and their emotional outpourings to Mao Zedong, have all caused the statue of the French intellectual to crumble. * Le Monde *Ever since his student years in Paris, Sand has regularly come up against the 'great French thinkers'. He has an intimate knowledge of the Parisian intellectual world and its little secrets, on which he draws to overturn certain myths attaching to the figure of the 'intellectual' that France prides itself on having invented. Mixing reminiscence and analysis, he revisits a history that, from the Dreyfus Affair through to Charlie Hebdo, seems to him that of a long decline. As a long-time admirer of Zola, Sartre and Camus,Sand is staggered to see what the French intellectual has become today, in such characters as Michel Houellebecq, Éric Zemmour and Alain Finkielkraut. In a work that gives no quarter, and focuses particularly on the Judeophobia and Islamophobia of the 'elites', he casts on the French intellectual scene a gaze that is both disabused and sarcastic. * Ouest France *This brilliant essay is not just another history of intellectuals in France. It is rather a critique of those figures 'caught in the torment of the twentieth century', following the models of Zola, Sartre or Camus whom Sand so admired in his youth, yet whose ambiguities he recalls here, from Zola's attacks on the Paris Commune to Sartre's lack of courage under the Occupation, or Camus's position during the Algerian war. Sand emphasizes how a large section of the dominant intellectuals during the Dreyfus Affair were not in fact Dreyfusards, but championed an ethno-biological conception of the nation, excluding all those whom they did not consider of 'French stock'. This enables him to draw up a detailed and rigorous charge-sheet against our contemporary media intellectuals, Finkielkraut, Houellebecq, Zemmour, Bruckner, Bernard-Henri Lévy and Philippe Val who, often with a past in Stalinism or Maoism, and having undergone a belated and easy anti-totalitarianism (long after Orwell, Souvarine or Castoriadis), invoke the old demons of xenophobia, in their case an Islamophobia that suits the spirit of the time and 'stabilizes the existing hierarchical order'. The very opposite of the function that intellectuals should perform in a democratic society thatis today in crisis. -- Olivier Doubre * Politis *Fourteen years after Daniel Lindenberg's pioneering essay, it is Shlomo Sand's turn to target this family of conservative and declinist thinkers or polemicists, running from Michel Houellebecq to Renaud Camus by way of Alain Finkielkraut and Éric Zemmour - the two latter both sons of Jewish immigrants (Polish in the first case, Berber in the second) yet who constantly champion French identity and roots, mythologizing a 'stable and homogeneous past that actually never existed'. -- Juliette Cerf * Télérama *Shlomo Sand has produced a stimulating book, combining erudition and historical perspective. Under the title 'The end of the French intellectual? From Zola to Houellebecq', this Israeli historian interrogates the figure of the intellectual in France. -- Hassina Mechaï * Mediapart *The title's question mark will not deceive anyone: the end of the French intellectual is proclaimed in a book that is not charitable towards everyone. But we can expect no less from Shlomo Sand, a committed historian who is highly critical and controversial in his own country, Israel. The first part of the book, and much the longest, runs from Zola (even if it refers back to Voltaire) to Sartre, Foucault and Bourdieu. This story has been told in many books and articles by other authors. But Sand usefully recalls how the notion of an intellectual by definition 'on the left' after the model of Zola is a myth, even for the Dreyfus Affair. Political lucidity was often far from meeting the challenges of the day. But this part is interesting above all for its reflections on French intellectual specificity and on theories of the role of intellectuals in relation to institutions (governments and parties), as well as to the 'people' whom they are supposed to enlighten. * Esprit *Shlomo Sand, a specialist on nationalism and a fine connoisseur of our French ideological scene, is well qualified to tackle the place of the 'intellectual' in our national history and promote a fresh approach. This promise is basically fulfilled. -- Marc Riglet * Lire *

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Book SynopsisWhile electorally weak, the Communist Party of Great Britain and its Welsh Committee was a constant feature of twentieth century Welsh politics, in particular through its influence in the trade union movement. Based on original archival research, the present volume offers the first in-depth study of the Communist Party's attitude to devolution in Wales, to Welsh nationhood and Welsh identity, as well as examining the party's relationship with the Labour Party, Plaid Cymru and the labour and nationalist movements in relation to these issues. Placing the party's engagement of these issues within the context of the rapid changes in twentieth century Welsh society, debates on devolution and identity on the British left, the role of nationalism within the communist movement, and the interplay of international and domestic factors, the volume provides new insight into the development of ideas by the political left on devolution and identity in Wales during the twentieth century. It also offers a broad outline of the party's policy in relation to Wales during the twentieth century, and an assessment of the role played by leading figures in the Welsh party in developing its policy on Wales and devolution.Table of ContentsIntroduction Chapter One: Conspicuous by its Absence, 1920-1932 Chapter Two: The Awakening of a National Consciousness within the Communist Party in Wales, 1933-1950 Chapter Three: Praxis, Neglect and Renewal, 1950-1969 Chapter Four: Devolution, Defeat and Dissolution, 1970 -1991 Conclusion Bibliography

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Book SynopsisAfter outlining conventional accounts of Wales in the High Middle Ages, this book moves to more radical approaches to its subject. Rather than discussing the emergence of the March of Wales from the usual perspective of the ‘intrusive’ marcher lords, for instance, it is considered from a Welsh standpoint explaining the lure of the March to Welsh princes and its contribution to the fall of the native principality of Wales. Analysis of the achievements of the princes of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries focuses on the paradoxical process by which increasingly sophisticated political structures and a changing political culture supported an autonomous native principality, but also facilitated eventual assimilation of much of Wales into an English ‘empire’. The Edwardian conquest is examined and it is argued that, alongside the resultant hardship and oppression suffered by many, the rising class of Welsh administrators and community leaders who were essential to the governance of Wales enjoyed an age of opportunity. This is a book that introduces the reader to the celebrated and the less well-known men and women who shaped medieval Wales.Trade Review`David Stephenson's latest book is a bold commentary on historians' writings about the political and "socio-political" history of medieval Wales over the past fifty years. A deliberate challenge to traditional interpretations, it is supported, as befits an accomplished historian of Gwynedd and Powys, by a depth of scholarship reflected in annotations and bibliographies that amount to a quarter of the book.' - Emeritus Professor Ralph A. Griffiths, Swansea University ; `This is an invaluable contribution to the historiography of medieval Wales. Stephenson successfully challenges the enduring paradigm of the Gwynedd-led evolution of one Wales, and paints a more complex, multi-dimensional picture. An essential read for scholars and students of medieval Welsh history!' Dr Emma Cavell, Swansea UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgements Abbreviations Maps Genealogical tables Introduction CHAPTER 1- An outline survey of Welsh political history, c.1050–1332 CHAPTER 2 - The Age of the Princes: shifting political cultures and structures CHAPTER 3 - The other Wales: the March CHAPTER 4 - The limits to princely power CHAPTER 5 - New ascendancies Envoi Notes Select bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisSavage Frontier traces the routes over the mountains taken by monks, soldiers, poets, pilgrims and refugees, examining the lives and events that have shaped the Pyrenees across the centuries. Its cast of characters includes Napoleon, Hannibal and Charlemagne; the eccentric British climber Lord Henry Russell; Francisco Sabaté Llopart, the Catalan anarchist who waged a lone war across the Pyrenees against Franco for years after the Civil War; and the cellist Pau Casals, who spent more than twenty-three years in exile only a few miles from the Spanish border, to show his disapproval of the regime. Acclaimed author Matthew Carr uncovers the fascinating story of one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth—both a forbidding, mountainous frontier zone of stunning beauty and a site of sharp conflict between nations and empires.Trade Review'Matthew Carr has written a rich, deeply researched and absorbing history, full of extraordinary and surprising tales and an impassioned sense of the unique beauty of one of Europe’s lesser-known places.' -- Roger Crowley, author of 'Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire''Carr conjures up a magical account of the mountainous divide between Spain and France, with its witches and heretics, its isolated villages, its ancient traditions of independence, and its babel of languages. A beautifully written book that nimbly weaves together his own travels and the history of the Pyrenees.' -- David Abulafia, Professor Emeritus of Mediterranean History, University of Cambridge, and author of 'The Great Sea: A Human History of the Mediterranean''There are so many inviting leads to be followed up in this book that no one who loves the Pyrenees or plans to explore them should be without it.' * The Spectator *‘Packed with drama, peril and ambition, these stories offer glimpses into how the physical world has shaped life in Europe across the centuries.’'A fascinating narrative . . . the book stands as a celebration of the Pyrenees.'‘Richly textured . . . a vivid, deeply informed travelogue.’

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Book SynopsisAs commander of the Allied Military Mission to the Greek guerrillas in Greece in 1943-4, C.M. Woodhouse has to hold an uneasy balance between the communist and government sides. Against a background of conflicting communist doctrine, shifting foreign alliances, territorial disputes and personality differences, the communist struggle for Greece unfolded in three rounds. The first began in 1941 with the German occupation of Greece when the National Liberation Front attempted to regain control of the country and overthrow the monarchy. In the second round, the communists tried to seize power at the end of the German occupation in December 1944 and were frustrated by the intervention of British forces. The third round (1946-9) was marked by US intervention, UN fact-finding missions, and the shift from guerrilla tactics to conventional warfare. The communists were weakened by internal feuding and overcome by the US forces. The author based his research on interviews with participants, documentary sources and his own experience. He analyzes the characters, ideologies and events behind one of the longest and most bitter civil wars of modern times.Trade Review'This is the story of the communist and non-communist resistance to the Germans that sprang up in the Greek mountains, and its interaction with the politics of the old political world of Greece and the strategies of the allies. No one was better placed to describe the events of this turbulent period than C. M. Woodhouse, who came to know Greece intimately. The Struggle for Greece is his masterful telling of the story.' -- Michael Llewellyn-Smith, historian and former British Ambassador to GreeceTable of ContentsContents: I: The First Round Prelude to Revolution - Resistance and Reaction - War on Two Fronts - II: The Second Round Return to Legality - The December Events - The Bitter Truce - III: The Third Round Disorder into Guerrilla War - Guerrillas into Battle Order - Deadlock and Stalemate - The Final Breakthrough.

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Book SynopsisEleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936) was the outstanding Greek statesman of the first half of the twentieth century. Michael Llewellyn-Smith traces his early years, political apprenticeship in Crete, and energetic role in that island's emancipation from both Ottoman rule and the arbitrary rule of Prince George of Greece. Summoned to Athens in 1910 by a cabal of officers, Venizelos mastered the Greek political scene, sent the military back to barracks, and led the country through a glorious period of constitutional and political reform, ending in a Balkan alliance waging successful war against Ottoman rule in Europe. By 1914, Greece had doubled in territory and population, and was about to face the challenges of European war. Tensions were rising between the king and the prime minister, foreshadowing political schism. This book illuminates Venizelos' political mastery, liberalism and nationalism, and traces his fateful friendship with David Lloyd George. A second volume will complete his story, with the Great War, the post-war peace settlement, Greece's Asia Minor disaster, and Venizelos' late years of renewed prime ministerial office, political polarisation and exile in Paris.Trade Review'[Outlines] Venizelos’s rise to power in superb detail.' -- The Telegraph'A great addition to modern Greek history, 'Venizelos' tackles broad questions of political leadership and nationalism. It fills a major gap and will strongly attract a cadre of international readers. Highly readable, enjoyable and instructive--it’s hard to ask for more.' -- Stathis Kalyvas, Gladstone Professor of Government, University of Oxford'Venizelos is a powerful portrait of an extraordinary man, painting a rich picture of his social and political environment. A masterful analysis of the personal, domestic and international factors at play, it is well-researched, original and vivid.' -- Helen Katsiadakis, Researcher Emerita, the Venizelos Foundation'An impressive work of scholarship, rendering outstanding services to the political history of Modern Greece and the art of political biography. Llewellyn-Smith deserves the gratitude of all those trying to promote knowledge and understanding in these fields of research.' -- Paschalis Kitromilides, Academy of Athens

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Book SynopsisA scintillating history of one of Europe’s most alluring cities. Granada is a deceptive city, concealing a layered past and a complex character. The last Muslim capital in Western Europe, over the centuries it has captured hearts and imaginations, inspiring countless myths and legends. Yet its history reveals even more fascinating tales: secrets and follies, victory and failure, poetry and art. City of Illusions brings together Granada’s many stories—the archaeological forger, the renegade French general, the garrotted liberal heroine, the Jewish poet who served two Muslim rulers. This colourful cast of characters takes us from the founding eleventh-century dynasty and the building of the Alhambra, through the Reconquista, French occupation and Spanish Civil War, right up to the present day. Granada’s history has long been fought over, rewritten, idealised or buried. This rich, elegant book sets the record straight on a beautiful, elusive city, with all its quirks, mysteries, intrigues and triumphs.Trade Review'City of Illusions vividly describes the light and shade of Granada’s history.' -- The Critic

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Book SynopsisHow did Norway become a highly successful liberal democracy? Will its prosperity and stability last, or has modern history been an exception? Is the Norwegian experience based on luck, or has a part been played by clever politicians and sound institutions, including a well-functioning rule of law? How does Norway combine social democracy with a market economy, and extensive foreign trade? Since the 1970s, Norway has become an oil-producing giant in Northern Europe--how can that role be reconciled with the realities of climate change, and increasing awareness of that crisis? This highly engaging book introduces Norwegian political and economic history to a broad audience, offering a deeper understanding of a country always looked upon with great interest, but perhaps not profoundly understood. The Norwegian Exception? takes the reader back through 200 years of state-building to explain Norway's current position as a top-ranking nation, and to consider its chances of keeping that status in the twenty-first century. In particular, it unpacks how Norwegian politics and governance have shaped the country's world-famous oil fund and unique relationship with the European Union. Leading historians Mathilde Fasting and Øystein Sørensen skilfully draw back the curtain on the inner workings of the Norwegian 'utopia'.Trade Review'When I used the phrase "Getting to Denmark" as the aspiration of many societies, I might as well have said "Getting to Norway"--the Norwegian modernisation story is equally remarkable. This book provides great historical insight into how this lucky country came to be, and reveals its future challenges.' -- Francis Fukuyama, author of 'The End of History and the Last Man' and 'Trust: Social Virtues and Creation of Prosperity''In this unique, enjoyable book, two experts reveal the secrets of Norwegian success in creating a country both envied and criticised. Essential reading for understanding Norway's culture, society and politics, and its challenges—past, present and future.' -- John Gilmour, Honorary Fellow in Scandinavian Studies, University of Edinburgh'A greatly interesting book, covering in detail the history of Norway and suggesting possible futures for the exceptional Norwegians.' -- Christine Ingebritsen, Professor of Scandinavian Studies, University of Washington'Focusing on the societal and political history of Norway from its 1814 constitutional birth to the present day, this book provides a long-overdue introduction to non-Norwegian readers, and contributes to discussions of Nordic exceptionalism.' -- Ruth Hemstad, Associate Professor II of History, University of Oslo

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Book SynopsisIn a world dominated by the British Empire, and at a time when many Europeans considered black people inferior, Sierra Leonean writer A. B. C. Merriman-Labor claimed his right to describe the world as he found it. He looked at the Empire's great capital and laughed. In this first biography of Merriman-Labor, Danell Jones describes the tragic spiral that pulled him down the social ladder from writer and barrister to munitions worker, from witty observer of the social order to patient in a state-run hospital for the poor. In restoring this extraordinary man to the pantheon of African observers of colonialism, she opens a window onto racial attitudes in Edwardian London. An African in Imperial London is a rich portrait of a great metropolis, writhing its way into a new century of appalling social inequity, world-transforming inventions, and unprecedented demands for civil rights. WINNER OF THE HIGH PLAINS BOOK AWARD FOR NONFICTIONTrade Review'A must read.' ‘A brilliant biography . . . [Jones] has given a vivid picture of London one hundred years ago.’ 'An engaging, worthwhile biography. … Jones uncovers the life of a historical ghost, nearly lost to the world' -- Choice‘The richness and wider implications of Merriman-Labor’s life and sojourn in England come out vividly in [this] book because of Jones’ careful research, analytical rigor, and lively writing.’ -- Journal of African History'Written with great verve, An African in Imperial London reconstructs the life of A.B.C. Merriman-Labor... Both he and his biographer provide a rich picture of London, particularly in his most important work... an enlightening account of what it meant to be black in the most powerful country in the world'. -- Peter Stansky'Historical rigour, literary skill and a deep sense of humanity pervades this splendid biography which recovers from the condescension of the past the world of Augustus Merriman-Labor.' -- David Killingray'The moving and surprising story of A.B.C. Merriman-Labor, both insider and outsider in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Africa and England, is also a compelling contemporary parable about the interaction between individuals and society.' -- Edward MendelsonElegantly written and meticulously researched for over seven years, An African in Imperial London presents the life and times of Augustus Merriman-Labor: Sierra Leonean writer, barrister, munitions worker during the First World War, and much more besides. This is an important addition to the history of Africans in Britain.' -- Hakim Adi

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Book SynopsisEight years after annexing Crimea, Russia embarked on a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022. For Vladimir Putin, this was a legacy-defining mission—to restore Russia’s sphere of influence and undo Ukraine’s surprisingly resilient democratic experiment. Yet Putin’s aspirations were swiftly eviscerated, as the conflict degenerated into a bloody war of attrition and the Russian economy faced crippling sanctions. How can we make sense of his decision to invade? This book argues that Putin’s policy of global counter-revolution is driven not by systemic factors, such as preventing NATO expansion, but domestic ones: the desire to unite Russians around common principles and consolidate his personal brand of authoritarianism. This objective has inspired military interventions in Crimea, Donbas and Syria, and now all-out war against Kyiv. Samuel Ramani explores why Putin opted for regime change in Ukraine, rather than a smaller-scale intervention in Donbas, and considers the impact on his own regime’s legitimacy. How has Russia’s long-term political and foreign policy trajectory shifted? And how will the international response reshape the world order?Trade Review'[Ramani's] encyclopedic descriptions... yield interesting details and... solid tactical analysis.' -- The New York Times'Looks behind the headlines to determine the motivations for the invasion and the likely path forward. Ramani is convincing in his view that the war marks a seismic shift in the geopolitical landscape. Clear-minded and authoritative, this book is a thorough analysis of how Putin's gambit fits into the big picture.' -- Kirkus Reviews‘A strongly researched account of the events that led to the tragic Russo-Ukrainian war.’ -- The Washington Free Beacon‘An important, well-referenced book that covers the details and impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.’ -- CHOICE'Unpicks Putin's concocted rationales for invading Ukraine... [and] dissects Russia's strategic military failings.' -- Labour Hub‘The book represents an open-ended chronicle of a very short, but significant, phase in the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation.’ -- The Russian Review'This book will help those who cannot understand why and how a genocidal war of colonial reconquest came to be launched on Europe in the twenty-first century. But it also explains clearly the vital importance of that war for the future of Russia itself and of global security.' -- Keir Giles, Research Director, Conflict Studies Research Centre'This valuable study offers a compelling, detailed and well-sustained argument that Putin seeks to subjugate Ukraine through war, as part of a broader illiberal "counter-revolutionary" agenda for control of former Soviet territory.' -- Roy Allison, Professor of Russian and Eurasian International Relations, University of Oxford'Samuel Ramani's book on Russia's invasion of Ukraine will doubtless be followed by many others, but when it comes to meticulous research, balanced assessments, acute insights, and comprehensiveness, this superb volume has set a very high standard.' -- Rajan Menon, co-author of 'Conflict in Ukraine: The Unwinding of the Post-Cold War Order'

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Book SynopsisField marshal and statesman Gustaf Mannerheim (1867-1951) was the most acclaimed and the most hated Finn of the twentieth century. After three decades of loyal and distinguished service in the Russian Tsarist army, he returned to his homeland in 1917 to defend its new independence. This iconic figure led the Finnish forces as Commander-in-Chief during both World Wars, then ended his career as President of Finland. This new critical biography sets Mannerheim's entire life's work, and his often nerve-wracking decisions as a Finnish leader on the world stage, against the backdrop of his elite upbringing and lifestyle, his adventurous imperial career, his outspoken anti-communism, and his keen instincts for great power politics. Painful details emerge about Mannerheim's private life, and myths and rumours are scrutinised, as Henrik Meinander charts the complex legacy of this nationalist cosmopolitan who found himself fighting on the same side as Hitler. Meinander paints his portrait with strong contrasts and bright colours. This is the story of a multicultural Russian empire, a newborn nation-state treading warily between Europe's military titans, a front of the Second World War not easily reduced to moral binaries--and, above all, a shrewd political operator playing many a dangerous game.Trade Review‘Authoritative and accessible to general readers. . . . Finland does owe a great debt to Mannerheim. As with Churchill or de Gaulle, a proper assessment of his historical importance requires us to strip away the myths and focus on the facts of his career — a task Meinander fulfils admirably.’ -- Financial Times‘A sensible and readable summary … [Meinander] has succeeded handsomely. Mannerheim oozes good sense and generosity to its predecessors and deserves to become the new standard popular book on its subject.’ -- The Times'Meinander’s biography is riveting… [and] especially timely.' -- Diplomatic Courier‘Meinander's biography provides a clear overview of… [Mannerheim’s] exceptionally intriguing life.’ -- Traces of War'Marshal Mannerheim was an intriguing character, a titan of Finnish history, but a person I did not understand well. This book is a compelling biography, and a much-needed one as Finland joins NATO.' -- Dan Kaszeta, author of 'Toxic' and 'The Forest Brotherhood''Impeccably researched and elegantly written, this biography of Marshal Mannerheim tells the story of one of the most remarkable lives and careers of any twentieth-century leader: a life around which so much appeared to turn. Highly recommended.' -- Roger Moorhouse, historian, researcher and author of 'The First to Fight: The Polish War 1939' and 'The Devils' Allliance: Hitler's Pact with Stalin''A powerful biography of an oft misunderstood man who stood at the heart of Finland's history as one of its most important and complex leaders of the twentieth century. Meinander's epic biography deserves high praise.' -- Helen Fry, author of 'Churchill's German Army' and 'The Walls Have Ears: The Greatest Intelligence Operation of WWII''Henrik Meinander's eminently readable biography of Gustaf Mannerheim is a very well-rounded take on the life of this major figure of Finnish and European history. More still, it tells the epic story of Finland at a time of great upheavals.' -- Mart Kuldkepp, Associate Professor of Scandinavian History and Politics, University College London'A rich and balanced insight into the eventful life of Marshal Mannerheim. Meinander has brilliantly managed to construct a rigorously critical but empathetic portrait of his research subject.' -- Tiina Lintunen, Head of the Department of Contemporary History, University of Turku'Henrik Meinander's book is essential reading for anyone interested in Marshal Mannerheim's extraordinary biography, as well as those who want to understand the history and the present of geopolitics in the Baltic and Nordic countries.' -- Tuomas Tepora, Senior Research Fellow, Tampere University

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Book Synopsis'Excellent ... much to ponder' Financial Times 'Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the world of today' - Margaret MacMillan, author of War: How Conflict Shaped Us 'A masterpiece' David Motadel, author of Revolutionary World 1945. Europe lies in ruins - its cities and towns destroyed by conflict, its economies crippled, its societies ripped apart by war and violence. In the wake of the physical devastation came profound moral questions: how could Europe - once proudly confident of its place at the heart of the 'civilised world' - have done this to itself? And what did it mean that it had? In the years that followed, Europeans - from politicians to refugees, poets to campaigners, religious leaders to communist revolutionaries - tried to make sense of what had happened, and to forge a new concept of civilisation that would bring peace and progress to a broken continent. As they wrestled with questions great and small - from the legacy of colonialism to workplace etiquette - institutions and shared ideals emerged which still shape our world today. Rich with original sources and individual voices, this is a gripping, authoritative account of how Europe rose from the ashes of the Second World War - and forged itself anew.Trade ReviewRuin and Renewal is an erudite, rigorously researched, and elegantly written account of the post-war remaking of Europe. Paul Betts provides his reader with a breathtaking panorama of the world of the men and women who, pursuing varied visions for the creation of a new 'civilization', embarked on bold reforms to rebuild the continent on the ruins of the Second World War. His book will fundamentally reshape our understanding of modern Europe - a masterpiece. -- David Motadel, London School of EconomicsPaul Betts uses the concept of 'civilisation' like a radiographer's dye to reveal some deeply unsettling pathologies beneath the skin of post-war Europe. Ruin and Renewal is an impressively wide-ranging, original synthesis of cultural and political history. -- Timothy Garton Ash, Professor of European Studies, University of OxfordRuin and Renewal is a marvellously subtle and wide-ranging exploration of the ways in which Europe rebuilt itself materially and morally after the Second World War. Paul Betts boldly uses the much debated and controversial concept of civilization to show how Europeans, on both sides of the Cold War, redefined themselves and others. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the world of today. -- Margaret MacMillan, author of War: How Conflict Shaped UsExcellent ... much to ponder * Financial Times *Original and engrossing -- Richard J. Evans * LRB *

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Book SynopsisDublin and the Viking World is a unique blend of the familiar and the unfamiliar, the broad generalisation and the rarefied detail, the well-known historical character and the ordinary Dubliner.

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Book Synopsis‘Magic that takes you out, far out, of this time and this world.' George Bernard Shaw, after a visit to Skellig This is the story of two of the world's most stunning and unspoilt islands, Skellig Michael and Small Skellig, which lie off the coast of Kerry. Lavelle explores the extraordinary, isolated Early Christian monastic settlement with its stone ‘beehive' huts. He describes the abundant bird life, including the huge colony of gannets, and tells of the history, legend, geology, plant life, the lighthouse, the seals and the underwater world. There has been a huge growth in interest in these spectacular islands, driven by Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way and the filming of Star Wars. A comprehensive, accessible and beautiful book on a unique and fascinating place.Trade Reviewhis intimate knowledge of and love for this special place seeps through his words so that the reader of this accessible overview of the various aspects of the islands cannot help but be sucked in. His detailed description of a boat trip from Valentia to Skellig … will strike a chord with anyone who has undertaken similar journeys or provide a pleasant alternative for those who, for whatever reason, cannot … All of this is written in the conversational and at times poetic style of an experienced storyteller and tour guide. A really lovely little book * Archaeology Ireland *This new work takes the reader on an intimate tour of the early Christian monastic settlement and its stone beehive huts, while the islands’ bird-life and underwater riches are also explored with a wealth of colour photos -- RTE.ie Culturethis book … has pushed a visit to Skellig Michael a few places up the bucket list -- Tuam Herald

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Book SynopsisThe cold-blooded murder of revolutionary icons Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht in the pitched political battles of post-WWI Germany marks one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century. No other political assassination inflamed popular passions and transformed Germany's political climate as that killing in the night of 15-16 January 1919 in front of the luxurious Hotel Eden. It not only cut short the lives of two of the country's most brilliant political leaders, but also inaugurated a series of further political assassinations designed to snuff out the revolutionary flame and, ultimately, pave the way for the ultra-reactionary forces that would take power in 1933. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of their untimely deaths, Klaus Gietinger has carefully reconstructed the events on that fateful night, digging deep into the archives to identify who exactly was responsible for the murder, and what forces in high-placed positions had a hand in facilitating it and protecting the culprits.Trade ReviewThe Murder of Rosa Luxemburgis the most painstaking account of the events, drawing on meticulous archival research and interviews with some of the last surviving participants in the events. * rs21 *History repeats itself "first as tragedy and then as farce", as Marx said, and Gietinger is good at bringing out the absurdity of the farce that followed the murder. * The Guardian *[Gietinger] tells a gripping if unsavoury tale of collusion, duplicity and mendacity. * Morning Star *Gietinger's book serves as a powerful historical document; a meta-narrative that seeks to right the wrongs of the past. * Times Literary Supplement *

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Book SynopsisThe subject of numerous biographies and history books, Winston Churchill has been repeatedly voted as one of the greatest of Englishmen. Even today, Boris Johnson in his failing attempts to be magisterial, has adopted many of his hero's mannerism! And, as Tariq Ali agrees, Churchill was undoubtedly right in 1940-41 to refuse to capitulate to fascism. However, he was also one of the staunchest defenders of empire and of Britain's imperial doctrine. In this coruscating biography, Tariq Ali challenges Churchill's vaulted record. Throughout his long career as journalist, adventurer, MP, military leader, statesman, and historian, nationalist self belief influenced Churchill's every step, with catastrophic effects. As a young man he rode into battle in South Africa, Sudan and India in order to maintain the Imperial order. As a minister during the first World War, he was responsible for a series of calamitous errors that cost thousands of lives. His attempt to crush the Irish nationalists left scars that have not yet healed. Despite his record as a defender of his homeland during the Second World War, he was willing to sacrifice more distant domains. Singapore fell due to his hubris. Over 3 Millions Bengalis starved in 1943 as a consequence of his policies. As a peace time leader, even as the Empire was starting to crumble, Churchill never questioned his imperial philosophy as he became one of the architects of the postwar world we live in today.Trade ReviewIncluded in The Independent's Books of the month for May 2022 * Independent *For Tariq Ali, Churchill debunking, like Churchill worship, is a political act. -- David Aaronovitch * The Times *In Ali's telling, which draws on more honest existing historical scholarship than most popular biographies of Churchill, the two-times prime minister emerges not so much as deeply racist - some of his contemporaries remarked on it in shock - as profoundly authoritarian, with a soft spot for fascist strongmen, and a hostility to working-class assertion. -- Priyamvada Gopal * Prospect *Ali portrays Churchill as cruel, incompetent and blinded by prejudice * Spectator *A Marxist insult to history. -- Simon Heffer * The Telegraph *A powerful corrective...shining a light on the nasty parts of the Churchill story that his supporters conveniently ignore. This book is an unreserved polemic against the man usually celebrated for standing up to Hitler -- Martin Chilton * Independent *An essential antidote to the Churchill myth...This book could not be more timely. -- Lindsey German * Counterfire *A counter to popular mythology; an effort to peel back the curtain of propaganda and locate truth ... a worthy contribution in a crowded field -- Labour Hub * Talal Hangari *[Ali] seeks not so much to flush WC down the toilet of history, but to reassign him to his rightful place as one of history's most over-rated figures ... [a] highly readable book -- Donald Sassoon * Political Quarterly *The important thing about Ali's book, even after a thousand on the same subject, is that it is primarily interested in Churchill's years in service to British imperialism, and only secondarily interested in World War II, inverting the usual balance...a vital corrective. -- Alex Skopic * Current Affairs *Ali's book is a helpful corrective to the cult of Churchill that has come to dominate British culture. His study makes one thing clear: there is ultimately no path to a socialist and internationalist future without challenging this legacy. -- Liam Kennedy * Jacobin *Ali's examination remains an important corrective to the hagiographic praise that Churchill receives to this day. -- Andrew Moravcsik * Foreign Affairs *

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Book SynopsisHermine Reuss of Greiz is perhaps better known as the second wife of the Kaiser (Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany) whom she married shortly after the death of his first wife Auguste Viktoria and while he was in exile in the Netherlands. She was by then a widow herself with young children. She was known to be ambitious about wanting to return to power, and her husband insisted on her being called 'Empress'. To achieve her goal, she turned to the most powerful man in Germany at the time, Adolf Hitler. Unfortunately, her dream was not realised as Hitler refused to restore the monarchy and with the death of Wilhelm in 1941, Hermine was forced to return to her first husband's lands. She was arrested shortly after the end of the Second World War and would die under mysterious circumstances while under house arrest by the Red Army.

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Book SynopsisWhen students gathered in a London coffeehouse and smoked tobacco, Yorkshire women sipped sugar-infused tea, or a Glasgow family ate a bowl of Indian curry, were they aware of the mechanisms of imperial rule and trade that made such goods readily available? In Eating the Empire, Troy Bickham unfolds the extraordinary role that food played in shaping Britain during the `long’ eighteenth century (c. 1660-1837), when coffee, tea, and sugar went from rare luxuries to some of the most ubiquitous commodities in Britain, reaching even the poorest and remotest of households. Bickham reveals how the trade in the empire’s edibles underpinned the emerging consumer economy, fomenting the rise of modern retailing, visual advertising and consumer credit, and, via taxes, financed the military and civil bureaucracy that secured, governed and spread the empire.

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Book SynopsisRobin Hood is one of the most enduring and well-known figures of English folklore. Yet who was he? In this intriguing book, Lesley Coote re-examines the early tales about Robin in light of the stories, both English and French, that surrounded them - stories with which they shared many elements of form and meaning. In the process, she returns to questions such as `Where did Robin come from?' and `What did these stories mean?' The Robin who reveals himself is as spiritual as he is he is secular and as much an `insider' as he is an outlaw. And in the context of current debates about national identity and Britain's relationship with the wider world, Robin emerges to be as European as he is English - or perhaps, as the author suggests, that is precisely the quality which made him fundamentally English all along.Trade Review"Coote's scholarly study of the storyworlds of the early Robin Hood tradition broadens our understanding of the interconnectivity of medieval outlaw tales, romance, the fabliau tradition, miracle of the Virgin stories, trickster tales, and pastourelles."--Alexander L. Kaufman, Reed D. Voran Distinguished Professor of Humanities, Ball State UniversityTable of ContentsIntroduction: Who Was Robin Hood? 1 Robin Hood and the Written Word 2 Robin Hood and the Printed Word 3 Robin Hood and `Maid' Marian 4 Robin Hood and the Virgin Mary 5 Robin Hood and Romance Narratives 6 Robin Hood and Other Tricksters 7 Robin Hood and the Comic Tale 8 Robin Hood and the Medieval `Past' Appendix: The Texts in Modern English Translation References Bibliography Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisAccording to legend, the English landscape – so calm on the surface – is really the Devil’s work. Cloven Country tells of rocks hurled into place and valleys carved out by infernal labour. The Devil’s hideous strength laid down great roads in one night, and left scars everywhere as the hard stone melted like wax under those burning feet. With roots in medieval folklore, this is not the Satan of prayer, but a clumsy ogre, easily fooled by humankind. When a smart cobbler or cunning young wife outwitted him, they struck a blow for the underdog. Only the wicked squire and grasping merchant were beyond redemption, carried off by a black huntsman in the storm.

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Book SynopsisIn Ukraine: A Nation on the Borderland, now available in paperback, Karl Schloegel presents a picture of a country which lies on Europe's borderland and in Russia's shadow. In recent years, Ukraine has been faced, along with Western Europe, with the political conundrum resulting from Russia's actions and the ongoing Information War. As well as exploring this confrontation, Schloegel provides detailed, fascinating historical portraits of a panoply of Ukraine's major cities: Lviv, Odessa, Czernowitz, Kiev, Kharkov, Donetsk, Dnepropetrovsk and Yalta - cities whose often troubled and war-torn histories are as varied as the nationalities and cultures which have made them what they are today, survivors with very particular identities and aspirations. Schloegel feels the pulse of life in these cities, analysing their more recent pasts and their challenges for the future.Trade Review'Karl Schloegel excels at bringing 20th century history to life through urban space, to which he is a guide with wit, subtlety, humanity and restraint. His skills lie in his assiduous research, scouring through phonebooks, minutes, memoirs and maps, brought to life through a vivid eye for the look and feel of a city's architecture, streets and vistas. Here, Schloegel leaves his usual territory - Soviet and post-Soviet Moscow - to take us on a tour of the cities of Ukraine, revealing the diversity, complexity and importance of a country too often seen through a reductive East/West binary. Here, we have great cosmopolitan cities like Odessa and Kiev, and cities that were once great cosmopolitan cities forced into provinciality by the Holocaust, like Lviv and Chernowitz; the crushing of the diverse histories of Crimea into a shrill Russian nationalism; the stories and streets of Soviet industrial behemoths like Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk; and the outward-looking capital of the Soviet avant-garde of the '20s, Kharkov. All these cities suffered from Russian nationalism, from Stalin's great famine, and from a horrific German occupation, that Schloegel describes with a restrained rage. They have carved out from these terrible experiences distinctive identities and unique spaces, and here they've finally found a sympathetic western interpreter.' - Owen Hatherley; 'Through Karl Schloegel's encounter with Ukraine the reader will understand the crisis of democratic politics in the West as a whole. It is among the very few texts written in our century which reveal the psychological core and philosophical essence of the challenges thinking citizens now face.' - Timothy Snyder; 'The deftly translated Ukraine: A Nation on the Borderland is a powerful and erudite assertion of Ukraine's legitimacy as a nation-state, its rich cultural heritage, and the underlying sources of Russia's campaign against it. In the book, Schloegel, a renowned scholar and life-long admirer of Russia, takes his readers on a tantalising historical and intellectual tour of Ukraine's major cities. . . . What's best about Schloegel's Ukraine is the affectionate, inspiring journey on which he takes the reader through the nation's ages, empires, and metropolises, colouring in the blank swathes with history, purpose, and significance . . . He populates each vignette with its literary and luminaries and other figures of history who lived at least part of their lives in Ukraine.' - International Politics and Society; 'This book is an invitation to the broader public, well-familiar by now with the cities in Western and Eastern Europe, to discover Ukraine, to explore its multifaceted identities. Since an end to the war in Ukraine is not yet in sight, books like this are much needed. When most of the publications available reiterate the same narratives of unbridgeable differences between Ukraine's east and west, it takes Schloegel's insightfulness and erudition to show the commonalities between Lviv in the West, Odessa in the South and Donetsk in the East; to take Ukraine out of the shadow of Russia and put it back on Europe's mental maps.' - European History Quarterly; 'Suggesting that, despite its prominence as a target of Russian aggression, Ukraine remains unfamiliar to most Westerners, Schloegel profiles the country's major cities. He explores the dilemmas presented by the country's geographical relationships with Russia and Europe.' - Survival: Global Politics and Strategy; 'One of the best works on Ukraine's highly peculiar geography, history, and modernity I've ever come across . . . As Schloegel himself points out repeatedly, the struggle for Ukraine's future is not going to end any time soon. Books such as this inspire hope that the struggle is not in vain and that Ukraine will eventually emerge as a fully fledged European state - not just "a country at the edge."' - Geographical Magazine; 'In response to these events, this book is an effort to make amends: to educate the broader public about Ukraine, Europe's terra incognita. It presents not only a fascinating, oftentimes poetic investigation of Ukraine's highly diverse urban landscapes, but also records the inner struggles of a German historian trying to make sense of Putin's undeclared war against Ukraine . . . This book is a path-breaking study of the urban archaeology of post-Soviet Ukraine, haunted by the demographic catastrophes of the twentieth century.' - Europe-Asia StudiesTable of ContentsPREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION UKRAINE, OR REMAPPING EUROPE: PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION AUTHOR'S NOTE EUROPE'S UKRAINA: AN INTRODUCTION 1 INFORMATION WAR 2 FAREWELL TO EMPIRE, FAREWELL TO RUSSIA? 3 SEEING FOR OURSELVES: DISCOVERING UKRAINE 4 KIEV, METROPOLIS 5 AH, ODESSA: A CITY IN AN ERA OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS 6 PROMENADE IN YALTA 7 LOOK UPON THIS CITY: KHARKOV, A CAPITAL OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY 8 DNEPROPETROVSK: ROCKET CITY ON THE DNIEPER AND CITY OF POTEMKIN 9 DONETSK: TWENTIETH-CENTURY URBICIDES 10 CZERNOWITZ: CITY UPON A HILL 11 LVIV: CAPITAL OF PROVINCIAL EUROPE 12 THE SHOCK: THINKING THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO FURTHER READING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS PHOTO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Book SynopsisThis is a new history of the region known as Kyivan Rus', a state in eastern and northern Europe from the late ninth to the mid-sixteenth century that encompassed a variety of polities and peoples, including Lithuanian, Polish, Ottoman and others. This account for the first time focuses on the history of the region via families, which allows the discussion of a wider region and a larger group of people than has been possible before. The book examines the development of Rus, Lithuania, Muscovy and Tver, and their relations and interconnections with the Mongols, Byzantines and many other peoples. This readable yet thoroughly scholarly book will appeal to anyone with an interest in the history of eastern Europe, a region that is crucial in world politics today.Trade Review'Twenty-five years ago, Donald Ostrowski helped to alter conventional views of the Mongol influence on Russia. Now, with his collaborator Christian Raffensperger, he offers a novel interpretation of early Rus history, focusing on families rather than dynasties. Ostrowski and Raffensperger reveal the roles of these families in Rus history from about the tenth through the sixteenth centuries. The families not only dominated political life but also had dramatic influences on the economy, art, culture, and religion. This well-written and jargon-free work will be attractive for the general reader and will serve as an important source for scholars.' - Morris Rossabi, Associate Adjunct Professor, Columbia University

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Book SynopsisCountry houses have come to be regarded as quintessentially English, not only in terms of their architectural style but because they appear to embody national values of continuity and insularity. The histories of country houses and England, however, have featured episodes of violence and disruption, so how did country houses come to represent one version of English history, when in reality they reflect its full range of contradictions and complexities? This book explores the evolution of the country house, beginning with the violent impact of the Reformation and Civil War and showing how the political events of the eighteenth century, which culminated in the reaction against the French Revolution, led to country houses being recast as symbols of England’s political stability.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Englishness and the Country House 1 Violence and the Country House, I: The Reformation 2 Violence and the Country House, II: The Civil War 3 Reflections on the Non-Revolution in England 4 No Such Thing as a British Country House 5 The Empire Does Not Strike Back 6 Fog in Channel Conclusion Appendices References Further Reading Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisWestminster Abbey contains the only surviving medieval Cosmatesque mosaics outside Italy. They comprise: the ‘Great Pavement’ in the sanctuary; the pavement around the shrine of Edward the Confessor; the saint’s tomb and shrine; Henry III’s tomb; the tomb of a royal child, and some other pieces. Surprisingly, the mosaics have never before received detailed recording and analysis, either individually or as an assemblage. This two-volume publication presents a holistic study of this outstanding group of monuments in their historical architectural and archaeological context.The shrine of St Edward is a remarkable survival, having been dismantled at the Dissolution and re-erected (incorrectly) in 1557 under Queen Mary. Large areas of missing mosaic were replaced with plaster on to which mosaic designs were carefully painted. This 16th-century fictive mosaic is unique in Britain. Conservation of the sanctuary pavement was accompanied by full archaeological recording with every piece of mosaic decoration drawn and coloured by David Neal, phase plans have been prepared, and stone-by-stone examination undertaken, petrologically identifying and recording the locations of all the materials present. It has revealed that both the pavements and tombs include a range of exotic stone types. The Cosmati study has shed fresh light on every aspect of the unique series of monuments in Westminster Abbey; this work will fill a major lacuna in our knowledge of 13th-century English art of the first rank, and will command international interest.Trade ReviewThe two volumes comprise work of lasting quality and importance. * Church Monuments *…a series of hugely important thoughts and conclusions about the material evidence which offer a new set of narratives about Henry’s presbytery and his place as patron of the new medium — Cosmatesque mosaics. * Medieval Archaeology *With their in-depth discussions and analyses, new insights and lavish illustrations, these two volumes are a truly monumental achievement and an essential resource for scholars. * Archaeological Journal *This is a monumental study, a work of great scholarship with breath-taking illustrations … An invaluable and comprehensive historical work. * Ancient Monuments Society *There is a good index, and pages are helpfully numbered consectively across the two volumes. A wonderful achievement. * British Archaeology *Table of ContentsForeword by The Dean of Westminster Preface Acknowledgements Summary VOLUME 1 The Pavements 1 The cosmatesque pavements and monuments: introduction and context 2 Historiography and the antiquarian record 3 The sanctuary and high altar pavements: past interventions, damage and repair 4 Description of the sanctuary pavement 5 Surveying, analyzing and evaluating the sanctuary and high altar pavements 6 Conservation and repair of the sanctuary pavement by Vanessa Simeoni 7 St Edward the Confessor’s chapel pavement 8 Materials employed in the pavements and monuments VOLUME 2 The Royal Tombs 9 St Edward’s chapel and the context of the shrine 10 The shrine-tomb of St Edward the Confessor, I: description and primary fabric 11 The shrine-tomb of St Edward the Confessor, II: Tudor reconstruction and later history 12 Tomb of King Henry III 13 Child’s tomb in the south ambulatory 14 Related monuments and furnishings 15 The Westminster mosaic assemblage: summary, assessment and dating Appendix 1. The shrine in the records by Matthew Payne Archival references Chronicles Appendix 2. Quantification of tesserae in the mosaic pavements and monuments Notes to chapters 9 to 15 Abbreviations and bibliography Index Plans 3 and 4 (fold-outs at end of volume)

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Book SynopsisThese papers highlight recent archaeological work in Northern England, in the commercial, academic and community archaeology sectors, which have fundamentally changed our perspective on the Neolithic of the area. Much of this was new work (and much is still not published) and has been overlooked in the national discourse. The papers cover a wide geographical area, from Lancashire north into the Scottish Lowlands, recognising the irrelevance of the England/Scotland Border. They also take a broad chronological sweep, from the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition to the introduction of Beakers into the area.The key themes are: the nature of transition; the need for a much-improved chronological framework; regional variation linked to landscape character; links within northern England and with distant places; the implications of new dating for our understanding of the axe trade; the changing nature of settlement and agriculture; the character of early Neolithic enclosures; and the need to integrate rock art into wider discourse.Trade ReviewThe authors, editors and contributors are to be congratulated and commended on bringing these excellent volumes to publication. * Antiquity *This fine volume … [is] a fine counterbalance to the biases at the very core of the historical narrative of the Neolithic in Britain. * Archaeological Journal *Until recently, archaeologists took a broad-brush, sometimes ignoring local and regional nuances, so it is refreshing that Hey, Frodsham, and their team look at the Neolithic in terms of a northern tradition … The editors have skilfully integrated the academic, commercial and community sectors to provide a multi-interpretive approach to this dynamic period … This book is a much-needed addition to the Neolithic bookshelf and will be a useful reference for ongoing and future research. * Current Archaeology *This book, like the 2016 conference in Carlisle from which it derives, is an explicit bid to sing the glories of stone axe quarries, rock art, stone circles and other landscape features which proclaim the intense regionality of Britain’s earliest farming communities. * British Archaeology *Table of ContentsList of contributors List of figures List of tables and appendices Introduction Gill Hey and Paul Frodsham Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Langdale and the Northern Neolithic Richard Bradley and Aaron Watson Chapter 2: Stainton West: a Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic Site on the Banks of the River Eden Fraser Brown Chapter 3: The last hunter of a wise race: evidence for Neolithic practices in northern England Seren Griffiths Chapter 4: ‘Weird and atypical, even degenerate’… or then again, maybe not? Early Neolithic Enclosures in the North Al Oswald and Mark Edmonds Chapter 5: Documenting English Rock Art: a review of the ‘big picture’ Kate E. Sharpe Chapter 6: New Light on the Neolithic: a perspective from North-East England Clive Waddington Chapter 7: Street House in the Neolithic Period, Stephen J. Sherlock Chapter 8: Recent work on the Neolithic landscapes of Cumbria and North Lancashire Helen Evans, Antony Dickson and Denise Druce Chapter 9: Out of the Shadows: an emerging Neolithic in the Yorkshire Dales Yvonne Luke Chapter 10: ‘A most noble work', at the Heart of Neolithic Britain. Some Thoughts on the Long Meg Complex in the Light of Recent Fieldwork Paul Frodsham Chapter 11: A View from North of the Border Alison Sheridan Chapter 12: Monumentality in Neolithic Britain: The Case of South West Scotland Julian Thomas Chapter 13: A New Survey of The Carles Stone Circle, Castlerigg, Cumbria Al Oswald and Constance Durgeat Chapter 14: Two Newly-Identified Possible ‘Hengiform’ Monuments in the North Pennines Stewart Ainsworth, David McOmish, Al Oswald and Andrew Payne Chapter 15: The End of the Neolithic?: Early Bell Beaker Groups in Northern England A. P. Fitzpatrick

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Book SynopsisThe island of Sicily was a highly contested area throughout much of its history. Among the first to exert strong influence on its political, cultural, infrastructural, and demographic developments were the two major decentralized civilizations of the first millennium BCE: the Phoenicians and the Greeks. While trade and cultural exchange preceded their permanent presence, it was the colonizing movement that brought territorial competition and political power struggles on the island to a new level. The history of six centuries of colonization is replete with accounts of conflict and warfare that include cross-cultural confrontations, as well as interstate hostilities, domestic conflicts, and government violence.This book is not concerned with realities from the battlefield or questions of military strategy and tactics, but rather offers a broad collection of archaeological case studies and historical essays that analyze how political competition, strategic considerations, and violent encounters substantially affected rural and urban environments, the island’s heterogeneous communities, and their social practices. These contributions, originating from a workshop in 2018, combine expertise from the fields of archaeology, ancient history, and philology. The focus on a specific time period and the limited geographic area of Greek Sicily allows for the thorough investigation and discussion of various forms of organized societal violence and their consequences on the developments in society and landscape.Trade ReviewThe volume […] remains an excellent tool and information base of the methodology for new research on the Sicilian territory. * Bonner Jahrbücher *In fact, the multilingual foundation of this book is to be lauded, as is the book itself for looking past the wars that plagued Sicily to examine the socio-political effects of warfare on the island and its populations. * American Journal of Archaeology *The contributions’ quality is high, showcasing the combination of archaeological and literary evidence that characterizes the best work on ancient Sicily. […] For specialists in ancient Sicily and ancient warfare, it will also be an exciting and enlightening read. For archaeologists and historians of the Classical period who do not work on Sicily, this volume offers an excellent way in. * Ancient West & East *Melanie Jonasch has edited a truly splendid volume on the impact of war on the societies, politics, and landscapes of Sicily, from the archaic period to the Roman conquest. [...] This volume is an excellent example of why we should strive more in this direction, and hopefully a powerful stimulus as well. * Greece and Rome *…both books constitute very valuable contributions to the study of ancient Sicily. They reflect an ever-increasing international interest in the archaeology and history of the island and many of the papers will be essential reading for years to come. All the involved editors are to be congratulated for putting together these volumes. * Opuscula *...deserves the attention of ancient historians and archaeologists alike and will be an important point of departure for anyone interested in violent conflict in Classical Greek history. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *

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Book SynopsisThe central issues discussed in this new collected work in the highly successful ancient textiles series are the relationships between fiber resources and availability on the one hand and the ways those resources were exploited to produce textiles on the other. Technological and economic practices - for example, the strategies by which raw materials were acquired and prepared - in the production of textiles play a major role in the papers collected here.Contributions investigate the beginnings of wool use in western Asia and southeastern Europe. The importance of wool in considerations of early textiles is due to at least two factors. First, both wild as well as some domesticated sheep are characterized by a hairy rather than a woolly coat. This raises the question of when and where woolly sheep emerged, a question that has not up to now been resolvable by genetic or other biological analyses. Second, wool as a fiber has played a major role both economically and socially in both western Asian and European societies from as early as the 3rd millennium BCE in Mesopotamia, and it continues to do so, in different ways, up to the modern day. Despite the importance of wool as a fiber resource contributors demonstrate clearly that its development and use can only be properly addressed in the context of a consideration of other fibers, both plant and animal. Only within a framework that takes into account historically and regionally variable strategies of procurement, processing, and the products of different types of fibers is it possible to gain real insights into the changing roles played by fibers and textiles in the lives of people in different places and times in the past.With relatively rare, albeit sometimes spectacular exceptions, archaeological contexts offer only poor conditions of preservation for textiles. As a result, archaeologists are dependent on indirect or proxy indicators such as textile tools (e.g., loom weights, spindle whorls) and the analysis of faunal remains to explore a range of such proxies and methods by which they may be analyzed and evaluated in order to contribute to an understanding of fiber and textile production and use in the past.Trade ReviewThe research will be a valuable resource for those who study the history of clothing and weaving, as well as ethnographers and archaeologists. * Journal of Dress History *Table of ContentsPreface 1 Introduction 2 The Neolithic Revolution in the Fertile Crescent and the origins of fiber technology 3 Early Wool of Mesopotamia, ca. 7000-3000 BC. Between prestige and economy 4 Continuity and Discontinuity in Neolithic and Chalcolithic Linen Textile Production in the Southern Levant 5 Fibers, Fabrics and Looms: A link between animals fibers and warp weighted looms in the Iron Age Levant 6 An archaic, male exclusive, loom from Oman 7 The TOPOI Research Group "Textile Revolution" - Archaeological background and a multi-proxy approach 8 Fibres to Fibres. Thread to Thread. Comparing Diachronic Changers in Large Spindle Whorl Samples 9 Finding the woolly sheep: meta-analyses of archaeozoological data from Southwest- Asia and Southeast-Europe 10 Taming the Fibres: Traditions and Innovations in the Textile Cultures of Neolithic Greece 11 Ex Oriente Ars? "Anatolianizing" spindle whorls in the Early Bronze Age Aegean islands and their implications for fiber crafts 12 Different skills for different fibres? The use of flax and wool in textile technology of Bronze Age Greece in light of archaeological experiments 13 Neolithic flax production in the pre-Alpine region - Knowledge increase since the 19th century 14 Underrated. Textile-making in Neolithic lakeside settlements in the Northern Alpine Foreland 15 Textile materials in the Mesolithic and Neolithic and their processing 16 Raw materials, Textile Technologies, Innovations and Cultural Response in Central Europe in the 3rd to 1st mill. BC 17 First genetic evidence for the origin of Central European sheep (Ovis ammon f. aries) populations from two different routes of Neolithisation with contributions to the history woolly sheep 18 Sheep Husbandry in the Ancient Near East

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Book SynopsisBritannia Romana: Roman Inscriptions and Roman Britain is based on the author’s 40 years’ experience of the epigraphy of Roman Britain. It collects 487 inscriptions (mostly on stone, but also on metal, wood, tile and ceramic), the majority from Britain but many from other Roman provinces and Italy, so as to illustrate the history and character of Roman Britain (AD 43–410). Each inscription is presented in the original (in Latin, except for eight in Greek), followed by a translation and informal commentary; they are linked by the narrative which they illustrate, and more than half (236) are accompanied by photographs. All Latin terms in the narrative and commentary are translated and explained. The author demonstrates his unrivalled ability to read and understand Roman inscriptions and their importance as a source of historical knowledge. They are treated by chronology or theme in 14 chapters. The first eight take the narrative from Claudius’ invasion (AD 43) to the death of the last emperor to attempt the conquest of Britain, Septimius Severus (AD 211). The next four cover the general themes of soldier and civilian, economy and society, government, religion. The last two continue the narrative to the death of the last emperor to rule Roman Britain, Constantine III (AD 411).Trade ReviewThis book is a joy, learned, insightful and witty. His [Roger Tomlin’s] contributions have ever been amongst the most erudite, informative and readable contributions to that journal. Now Tomlin has drawn on his deep knowledge of the Roman inscriptions from Britain, and also Roman inscriptions relating to Britain from elsewhere in the empire, to offer us a personal panorama of life and death in the province. * Northern History *

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Book SynopsisThis second volume presenting the research carried out through the Exeter: A Place in Time project presents a series of specialist contributions that underpin the general overview published in the first volume. Chapter 2 provides summaries of the excavations carried out within the city of Exeter between 1812 and 2019, while Chapter 3 draws together the evidence for the plan of the legionary fortress and the streets and buildings of the Roman town. Chapter 4 presents the medieval documentary evidence relating to the excavations at three sites in central Exeter (High Street, Trichay Street and Goldsmith Street), with the excavation reports being in Chapter 5-7. Chapter 8 reports on the excavations and documentary research at Rack Street in the south-east quarter of the city. There follows a series of papers covering recent research into the archaeometallurgical debris, dendrochronology, Roman pottery, Roman ceramic building material, Roman querns and millstones, Claudian coins, an overview of the Roman coins from Exeter and Devon, medieval pottery, and the human remains found in a series of medieval cemeteries.Trade ReviewAnyone interested in the history and archaeology of Exeter and the south-west of England will want to have these two substantial volumes on their shelves. ...Volume 2 opens with a summary of all archaeological excavations in Exeter, from 1931 to 2019. Of all the contributions to these volumes, this will probably prove to have the greatest enduring value: anyone who has attempted to research the archaeology of England’s historic towns will know that finding out what has been done and how any reports or archives may be accessed can often be very difficult. * Medieval Archaeology *Table of ContentsList of Figures List of Tables List of Appendices List of Abbreviations List of Contributors Preface and Acknowledgements Summary Foreign Language Summaries 1. Introduction: Studies in the Roman and Medieval Archaeology of Exeter Stephen Rippon and Neil Holbrook 2. Summaries of the Excavations within the City of Exeter 1812–2019 David Gould, Andrew Pye and Stephen Rippon 3. Roman Exeter: The Fortress Plan and Gazetteers of Evidence for the Street Plans and Stone Buildings Paul Bidwell and David GouldSection 4. Medieval Documentary Evidence Relating to the High Street, Trichay Street and Goldsmith Street Excavations John Allan 5. Excavations at Trichay Street and Pancras Lane, 1972–3 Nicky Garland, John Allan and Neil Holbrook 6. Excavations at Goldsmith Street Area III, 1971–2 Neil Holbrook, John Allan and Jonathan Hart 7. Excavations at 196–7 High Street, 1972–4 John Allan, Nicky Garland and Neil Holbrook 8. Excavations at Rack Street, 1974–5 and 1977–8 Nicky Garland, Neil Holbrook and John Allan 9. The Faunal Remains from Exeter, 1976–1990 Malene Lauritsen 10.Archaeometallurgy: An Assessment of Roman and Medieval Crucibles and Other Possible Metalworking Debris Carlotta Gardner and David Dungworth 11.Dendrochronology: The Roman and Medieval Timbers from Exeter Cathy Tyers 12.Pottery Supply in Roman Exeter and the South-West Paul Bidwell, with contributions by Kamal Badreshany and Roger T. Taylor 13.1 Roman Ceramic Building Material: Introduction Stephen Rippon and Neil Holbrook 13.2 Roman Brick and Tile Production in Devon Sara Machin 13.3 An Analysis of the Roman Ceramic Building Material Industry in Devon Using pXRF Peter Warry 14.The Querns and Millstones of Roman Exeter: Supplying and Feeding the Fortress and Town Ruth Shaffrey 15.Can Analysis of Claudian Bronze Coins Found at Exeter Usefully Contribute to the Debate for an ‘Earlier’ or ‘Later’ Claudio-Neronian Origin for the Legionary Fortress? Robert Kenyon 16.The Roman Coins from Exeter and its Hinterland Andrew Brown and Sam Moorhead 17.The Local, Regional and Other North European Pottery, 900–1550 John Allan, with contributions from Michael Hughes and Roger T. Taylor 18.The South European Pottery, 1250–1550 Alejandra Gutiérrez and Hugo Blake, with contributions from Kamal Badreshany and Michael Hughes 19.Exeter’s Medieval Cemeteries: A Bioarchaeological Analysis Mandy Kingdom Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThis volume summarizes 30 years of fieldwork in Denmark, some of the evidence for the spread of agriculture and the Neolithic into Scandinavia and some opinions about the origins of agriculture. It is intended to be both academic and personal and to describe the actual process of research, because most projects involve elements of both. Each chapter will deal with one of the components of the project – survey, testing and excavations. Eight sites were excavated from the Late Mesolithic and Early Neolithic and these are discussed in this volume. The concluding chapter summarizes research in the area and proffers opinions on a variety of archaeological subjects, with visits to climate change, seasonality and sedentism, hunter-gatherer complexity, aDNA, inequality and the origins and spread of agriculture.Table of ContentsPreface 1. An Introduction – Setting the Table 2. Field Survey 3. Site Testing 4. Smakkerup Huse 5. Trustrup 6. Dragsholm and Bøgebjerg 7. Fårevejle 8. Asnæs Havnemark 9. Conclusions References

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