Viking Warrior vs Anglo-Saxon Warrior, England 865–1066

By Gareth Williams

Illustrated by Peter Dennis

In the two centuries before the Norman invasion of England, Anglo-Saxon and Viking forces clashed repeatedly in bloody battles across the country. Repeated Viking victories in the 9th century led to their settlement in the north of the country, but the tide of war ebbed and flowed until the final Anglo-Saxon victory before the Norman Conquest. Using stunning artwork, this book examines in detail three battles between the two deadly foes: Ashdown in 871 which involved the future Alfred the Great; Maldon in 991 where an Anglo-Saxon army sought to counter a renewed Viking threat; and Stamford Bridge in 1066, in which King Harold Godwinesson abandoned his preparations to repel the expected Norman invasion in order to fight off Harald Hard-Counsel of Norway.

Drawing upon historical accounts from both English and Scandinavian sources and from archaeological evidence, Gareth Williams presents a detailed comparison of the weaponry, tactics, strategies and underlying military organization of the Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, and considers the developments which took place on both sides in the two centuries of Viking incursions into Anglo-Saxon England.

Published    24 Aug 2017
Format    Paperback
Edition    1st
Extent    80
ISBN    9781472818324
Imprint    Osprey Publishing
Illustrations    20 b/w; 41 col
Dimensions    248 x 184 mm
Series    Combat
Short code    CBT 27
Publisher    Bloomsbury Publishing