Research Catalog
The lords of battle : image and reality of the comitatus in Dark-Age Britain
- Title
- The lords of battle : image and reality of the comitatus in Dark-Age Britain / Stephen S. Evans.
- Author
- Evans, Stephen S. (Stephen Stewart), 1954-
- Publication
- Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK ; Rochester, NY : Boydell Press, 1997.
Items in the Library & Off-site
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1 Item
| Status | Format | Access | Call Number | Item Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text | Use in library | DA59 .E94 1997 | Off-site |
Details
- Description
- viii, 169 pages : map; 25 cm
- Summary
- "The Lords of Battle examines the image of the comitatus, or warband, as it is portrayed in literary and historical sources from Britain's early medieval period; in so doing, it attempts to determine the extent to which this image reflects an historical reality. Through an extensive use of a variety of source material, literary, historical, and archaeological, the book investigates both the structure of the warband, and the practices and institutions which supported it." "After a review of the historical background of Dark Age Britain, Stephen Evans explores the practical characteristics of the comitatus, such as its military organisation; its internal social structure and its place within society as a whole; and the lord-retainer relationship, its duties and obligations. He also examines the cultural, social, and economic institutions which produced and supported the warband, including the role of the court poets; the importance of the hall; hostage-taking and fosterage; and food-renders, tribute, and booty. Overall, the study provides a number of insights into the ideals and practices of Britain's Celtic and Anglo-Saxon warrior-elites during a turbulent period."--Jacket.
- Subject
- To 1550
- Military art and science > Great Britain > History > Medieval, 500-1500
- Epic poetry, English (Old) > History and criticism
- Welsh literature > To 1550 > History and criticism
- Military history in literature
- Military history, Medieval
- War in literature
- Anglo-Saxons
- Britons
- Celtic antiquities
- Epic poetry, English (Old)
- Military art and science > Medieval
- Welsh literature
- Gefolgschaft
- Militairen
- Hofcultuur
- Geschichte 480-780
- Great Britain > History, Military > 449-1066
- Great Britain > History > Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066
- Great Britain > Antiquities, Celtic
- Wales > History > To 1063
- Great Britain
- Wales
- England
- Great Britain > History, Military > Anglo-Saxon period, 449-1066
- Genre/Form
- Criticism, interpretation, etc.
- History.
- Military history.
- Bibliography (note)
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-164) and index.
- Contents
- Map of Britain c.600 -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Historical Background of Dark-Age Britain -- 3. Military Organization -- 4. Social Structure -- 5. Duties and Obligations -- 6. Poets, Poetry, and Heroic Ideals -- 7. The Hall -- 8. Other Social Institutions and Cultural Concepts -- 9. Economic Supports -- 10. Summary and Conclusions -- Appendix. The Dating of Heroic Poetry.
- ISBN
- 0851156789
- 9780851156781
- LCCN
- 96035358
- OCLC
- ocm35565957
- 35565957
- SCSB-14010281
- Owning Institutions
- Princeton University Library