| Abstract: |
This work grew out of the 1989 Rhind Lectures and represents a distillation of the themes that had informed the author's thinking through decades of teaching, excavation and research. The first, introductory, part defines the themes of the title, the evidence used, and the geographical and environmental setting: Northern Britain is mainland Scotland, the Inner Hebrides and England beyond the River Tees, Stainmore and the River Eden. Part Two contains chapters on politics, religion and economy; Part Three deals with warfare, including significant campaigns and battles, armies, weapons and hillforts; Part Four considers physical structures: forts, enclosures, halls, houses, churches and other buildings; arts and crafts -- notably metalwork, painting and stone carving -- are the subject of Part Five, with a final chapter on feasting, drinking, recitation, music and field sports. There is a gazetteer of secular sites. |
