MICEL FOLCLAND BIBLIOGRAPHY VIb

Working on a new version of the bibliography and sharing it here. These books are recommended—or warned against—by members of the group and other medievalists. Please write with any additions you suggest!

Logan, Robert K. The Alphabet Effect
A thought-provoking book examining the difference results phonetic and ideogrammatic scripts impose on their cultures.

Loyn, H. R. The Vikings in Britain
An older but still valid book on the subject.

Magnusson, Magnus. Iceland Saga
Iceland is a fascinating culture, and this book very neatly and succinctly retells its history.

Magnusson, Magnus. Vikings
Companion to the television series, a good overview of the Viking era, profusely illustrated and engagingly written Later editions are slightly edited, less profusely illustrated but still well written.

Margeson, Susan. Viking
If you want to know a basic overview about something, find a kid’s book. Kids have an avid sense of curiosity, and they don’t accept the bullshit that adults sometimes seem willing to put up with. This is an Eyewitness book, and volumes consist of photographs of pertinent items both authentic and replica with a minimum of explanatory text. The opportunity to actually see the items in question, not merely to be told about it, is a welcome and edifying experience.

Morris, Ian. Geography Is Destiny
A history of many eras specializing in Britain.

Morris, Marc. The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England: 400–1066.
An overview of the Englisc era, fairly standard but not incorrect.

Oliver, Neil. The Vikings: A New History
A lot that is covered just as well in other books but containing new information and based on the latest facts.

Parker, Eleanor. Winters in the World: A Journey through the Anglo-Saxon Year
A book on the year during Englisc times. Little about swords and warfare, only extraneous appearance of royalty and wonderful light-hearted writing on the year, on religion and other common matters. Very recommended!

Pollington, Stephen. Anglo-Saxon FAQs
Well-done series of questions and answers about the Anglo-Saxon culture.

Powell, T.G.E. The Celts
On Stephen Silver’s Barbarian Bibliography.

Pye, Michael. The Edge of the World: A Cultural History of the North Sea and the Transformation of Europe
A series of accounts and observations, some pertinent to England and Scandinavia in th early middle ages and others not at all. But always enlightening and interesting.

Roberts, Clayton and David. A History of England, Prehistory to 1714
A hellishly good textbook, well illustrated.

Roesdahl, Else. The Vikings
Well written overview of the Norse culture of the Viking Age.

Rollason, David. Early Medieval Europe 300–1050
An unorthodox overview of the period, with heavy concentration on England, giving a variety of viewpoints and often reminding me of a class trying to interpretation as well as the facts.

Sawyer, P. H The Oxford illustrated history of the Vikings
Excellent compilation of essays on various aspects of the Viking Age.

Schama, Seven. A History of Britain Volume One
A companion volume to the television series, brilliantly illustrated and audaciously written.

Skurlock, William H. The Book of Buckskinning II
Although directed toward early American reenactors, all of the Books of Buckskinning (seven volumes so far) contain articles of interest to reenactors from many time periods, including medieval. Book II is of special interest because of an article on constructing camp equipment. Highly recommended.

Tetlow, Edwin. Enigma of Hastings: William the Conqueror
A splendid examination of the Battle at Battle.

Wahlgren, Erik. The Vikings and America
Well-researched book on the controversial subject.

Wallace-Hadrill, John Michael. The Barbarian West, 400-1000
On Stephen Silver’s Barbarian Bibliography.

Wall, Martin. The Anglo-Saxons in 100 Facts
No listing of provenance or sources, so not recommended.

Wawn, Andrew. The Vikings and the Victorians: Inventing the Old North in Nineteenth-Century Britain (Modern History)
A look at the creation of the modern—and incorrect—interpretation of the Vikings.

Williams, Gareth, Peter Pentz and Matthias Wemhogg (editors). Vikings: Life and Legend
Wonderful color photos from and essays on the 2014–2015 Viking exhibition shown in Sweden, Australia and Chicago.

Williams, Mary Wilhelmine. Social Scandinavia in the Viking Age
A fascinating look at the social cultures of the Viking Age, written just on the cusp of the transformation from romantic Victorian history and modern objectionist history. Very interesting, though it mus bread with more than a little care.

Winroth, Anders. The Age of the Vikings
A very readable book that deals with much of the material that most books of this type deal with but also contains fascinating observations that are not generally available elsewhere and, when they are, are not generally brought together in a single place, with notes on clothing, on customs, on runic writing and on poetry. I would wish for more documentation, but the list of further reading is quite well done and informative.

Wolf, Kirsten. Daily Life of the Vikings
An excellent look at the Norse culture of the Viking Age, using the most current citations. One of Greenwood’s excellent “Daily Life Through History” series.

Wood, Michael. In Search of the Dark Ages
Early volume by Wood, a companion to the television series and cited by many Regia members as essential to forming and channel their interest in the early middle ages. Wood released a revised edition in 2022.