Pen & Sword Books Releases THE ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is one of the most important sets of historical documents concerning the history of the British Isles ever produced. Without these vital accounts we would have virtually no knowledge of some of the key events in the history of these islands during the dark ages and it would be impossible to write the history of the English from the Romans to the Norman Conquest.

The history the Chronicle tells is not only that witnessed by its compilers, but also that recorded by early annalists whose work is, in many cases, preserved nowhere else. In addition to its value as a key historical archive, it is just as important a source for the early development of the English language. Furthermore, it is of significant literary interest as several Old English poems, written in celebration of royal figures and their achievements, have been inserted at various points since the 10th century.

At present, there are nine known versions of the original Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in existence. This important new edition is not a translation of any single Chronicle, but a collection of readings from many different versions. Illustrated throughout with paintings and engravings, the book also includes the complete Parker Manuscript, making it an essential reference for anyone interested in the early history of the British Isles.

Bob Carruthers is an Emmy Award winning film maker and military historian. He is the producer of the Discovery Channel's Line of Fire and the BBC's Both Sides of the Line.