Description
Book SynopsisA collection which introduces serious students of Anglo-Saxon culture to the realities of everyday Anglo-Saxon life through reference to artefacts and textual sources.
Trade Review"
The Material Culture of Daily Living in the Anglo-Saxon World is a detailed guide to living the “good life” in Anglo-Saxon England. It is an edited volume of refreshing works that provides a detailed schematic of Anglo-Saxon daily living and the intricacies of everyday tasks. This book highlights activities which may be simple and habitual but which define the traditions and practices of a society.
The book provides a balanced examination of both textual and archaeological evidence on a variety of fundamental topics including dress, illness, trade and production. This cleverly structured text provides an extra dimension of material culture, one that discusses the practices and technologies behind creations. The potential literary gap between the disciplines of archaeology and history is bridged with eloquent and thoughtful prose.
The layout is sophisticated, defined and easy-to-navigate. The structure and content choice are well selected with nicely linked topics. The well-chosen chapter topics playfully and succinctly examine key areas of Anglo-Saxon material culture and daily life, and the editors have used these to create an interesting taster text for the dedicated Anglo-Saxon student."
Rosetta, issue 13
'[The Material Culture of Daily Living in the Anglo-Saxon World] comprises fifteen chapters on animals, plants and ‘things'... and they maintain a high standard. There is much of interest here for specialist as well as general readers.'
John Blair,
English Historical ReviewTable of ContentsList of illustrations 1. Introduction: Material Culture and the Study of Anglo-Saxon England Maren Glegg Hyer 2. Prelude: Agriculture Through the Year David Hill 3. The True Staff of Life: The Multiple Roles of Plants C.P.Bigga, 4. Steep Vessel, High Horn-ship: Water Transport Katin Thier 5. 'To eat, to wear, to work': The Place of Sheep and Cattle in the Economy Christopher Grocock 6. Devil's Crafts and Dragon's Skins? Sheaths, Shoes and Other Leatherwork Esther Cameron and Quita Mould 7. Chanting upon a Dunghill: Working Skeletal Materials Ian Riddler and Nicola Trzaska-Nartowski 8. Eath's Treasures: Food and Drink Christina Lee 9. Woven Works: Making and Using Textiles Maren Clegg Hyer and Gale R. Owen-Cocker 10. Weland's Work: Metals and Metalsmiths David A. Hinton 11. 'Seldom ... does the deadly spear rest for long': Weapons and Armour Gale R.Owen-Cocker 12. Things of This World: Portable Antiquities and Their Potential Michael Lewis, Andrew Richardson and David Williams 13. Sight, Insight and Hand: Some Reflections on the Design and Manufacture of the Fuller Brooch Elizabeth Coatsworth and Michael Pinder 14. The Bright Cup: Early Medieval Vessel Glass Win Stephens 15. Body and Soul: Disease and Impairment Christina Lee Notes Suggested Reading Index List of contributors
