Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
1: The High Kingship of the British Isles
2: Island Mythologies
3: Orbits of Power
4: Political Heartlands and Political Outbacks
5: 'Sweet Civility' and 'Barbarous Rudeness'
6: The Anglicization of the British Isles
7: The Ebb Tide of the English Empire 13041343
Epilogue: The British Isles and the Identity of England
Index

Promotional Information

S 2001 British Academy Book Prize

About the Author

Currently Chairman of the Modern History Faculty, University of Oxford, and a former President of the Royal Historical Society, R. R. Davies is Chichele Professor of Medieval History at All Souls College, Oxford. The book is based on his Ford Lectures.

Reviews

Davies's book presents a thoroughly coherent and convincing portrait of this significant period in the history of Britain and Ireland ... an illuminating study. Welsh History Review New and important evidence is marshalled to support Davies's thesis in every essay, and wisdom drips from every page ... Davies's omnicompetence in handling primary texts of all genres is surpassed only by quite the most encyclopaedic familiarity with a monumental corpus of secondary writing ... Nothing one is likely to read on this subject again in one's lifetime can surpass Rees Davies's The First English Empire. English Historical Review Another brilliant book ... the quality of thought and exposition here cannot be over-stated ... we are treated to a succession of persuasive challenges to traditional historiographical perspectives, and of tempting invitations to look again at the medieval history of these islands ... This is a book to which one can return again and again for new ideas and inspiration. Journal of Imperial & Commonwealth History Stimulating and satisfying book that will prompt much useful debate. History A thoughtful analysis of Anglo-Norman kingship and its insatiably predatory aristocracy in their competition with native princes and with each other for control of great swaths of the British Isles. R.R.Davies, Times Literary Supplement A lively account of English Medieval History ... an exciting read. Church Times This is a book to which one can return again and again for new ideas and inspiration. Journal of Imperial & Commonwealth History