Offa and the Mercian Wars : The Rise and Fall of the First Great English Kingdom

In England in the eighth century, in the midst of the so-called Dark Ages, Offa ruled Mercia, one of the strongest Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. For over 30 years he was the dominant warlord in the territory south of the Humber and the driving force behind the expansion of Mercia's power. During that turbulent period he commanded Mercian armies in their struggle against the neighboring kingdoms of Northumbria and Wessex and against the Welsh tribes. Yet the true story of Offa's long reign and of the rise and fall of Mercia are little known although this is one of the most intriguing episodes in this little-recorded phase of England's past. It is Chris Peers's task in this new study to uncover the facts about Offa and the other Mercian kings and to set them in the context of English history before the coming of the Danes. ϡ쯦랠 In England In The Eighth Century, Offa Ruled Mercia, One Of The Strongest Anglo-saxon Kingdoms. For Over 30 Years He Was The Dominant Warlord In The Territory South Of The Humber And The Driving Force Behind The Expansion Of Mercias Power. Yet The True Story Of Offas Long Reign And Of The Rise And Fall Of Mercia Are Little Known Although This Is One Of The Most Intriguing Episodes In This Little-recorded Phase Of Englands Past--publisher's Description. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1.offa's Country -- The Landscape -- 2.the People Of The Frontier -- 3.kingdoms And Armies -- Mercia And The Tribal Hidage -- `how The Folk-kings Flourished' -- The Warrior Class -- 4.penda's Wars -- The Northumbrian Menace -- `not Angles But Angels' -- Penda And Cadwallon -- `the Heathen' -- The Battle Of The Winwaed -- 5.two Treasures -- The `sutton Hoo Man' -- The `staffordshire Hoard' -- 6.penda's Successors And The Rise Of Offa -- Wulfhere -- Aethelred And Victory In The North -- Coenred And Ceolred -- Aethelbald -- Offa's Pedigree -- 7.the Warrior In The Age Of The Mercian Kings -- Offensive Weapons -- Defensive Equipment -- Battle Tactics -- The Aftermath Of Battle -- Fortifications, Earthworks And Sieges -- 8.`the Glory Of Britain' -- The Challenge From Kent -- Aethelberht The Martyr -- Offa's Dyke -- Offa's Towns -- Offa And Charlemagne -- The Coming Of The Vikings -- 9.offa's Successors And The Danish Invasions -- The `bretwaldas' -- Mercia Eclipsed -- The Great Army -- 10.the `liberation' And The Triumph Of Wessex -- The Lady Of The Mercians. Chris Peers. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 187-190) And Index.