Badon and the Early Wars for Wessex, circa 500 to 710

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About Badon And The Early Wars For Wessex, Circa 500 To 710

Product Description David Cooper’s book reappraises the evidence regarding the early battles for Wessex territory. It charts the sequence of battles from the c. AD 500 siege of Badon Hill, in which the Britons defeated the first Saxon attempt to gain a foothold in Wessex territory, to Langport in 710, which consolidated King Ine's position and pushed the Britons westwards. Discussion of the post-Roman British and Germanic factions provides context and background to Badon Hill, which is then covered in detail and disentangled from Arthurian legend. In considering how the opposing commanders are likely to have planned their campaigns, enduring principles of military doctrine and tactics are discussed, using examples from other periods to illustrate how these principles applied in Dark Ages Britain. Going on to follow subsequent campaigns of the West Saxons in southern Britain, a credible assessment is made of how these resulted in the establishment of a viable Wessex kingdom, two centuries after Badon. Grounded in the latest academic and archaeological evidence, David Cooper offers a number of new insights and ideas. Review It is a brave historian who looks for battlefields in the murkiest corner of the so-called Dark Ages. An interesting read, perhaps inspiring to visit a fascinating hillfort. The Battlefields Trust The book is illustrated by many very useful maps to understand the confusing campaigns that characterize the time of the Saxon conquest of Wessex. VaeVictis, January/February 2019 I appreciate that this isn't a book for everyone and certainly isn't a primer, but it's an interesting and thought provoking readabout one of the great historical mysteries. Ripperologist, June/July 2018 - reviewed by Paul Begg As featured 'ON THE BOOKSHELF' Wargames Illustrated, July 2018 From the Author The overarching objective of this book is to reassess the military actions that shaped early Wessex. Particular consideration is given to the modern academic view that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle accounts cannot be trusted for this period. Battle sites are a particular focus, with a critical eye cast over several traditional suggestions that are based on outdated assessments of the situation or possible mistakes in translation. Some new sites are proposed. The book differs from others in that a broader range of evidence is sifted and conclusions reached are more realistic. Such a detailed assessment of Dark Age commanders' thought processes and campaign planning considerations has not previously been attempted. The Siege of Badon Hill is viewed in a new light, as the opening exchange in the protracted campaigns that followed, a first attempt by Anglo-Saxons to seize territory that would later lie at the heart of Wessex. Entirely new sites for the AD 568 battle at Wibbandun and the AD 661 battle at Posentes byrg are proposed which, when compared with previous suggestions, correlate better to the geography and discernible military/political situation. Further information is available from the author's website: earlywarsofwessex.bravesites.com/ About the Author David Cooper OBE is a retired British Army Lieutenant Colonel with 36 years' service. He was initially taught military history and doctrine by the Burnham lecturers at Sandhurst and later gained a Masters degree in Defence and International Affairs. In the latter part of his career David instructed young officers in doctrine and tactics and wrote related publications for the British Army. Due to an abiding interest in the period he began to study the Dark Age Wessex campaigns in detail in 2002, and this book is the result.