From my blog...

Category Archives: Anglo-Saxons

Winterfell: The Story Behind the Name

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Patricia

In George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, the Stark family—descended from the ancient Kings of Winter—rules from its northern fastness of Winterfell. That name, WINTERFELL, conjures up images of both WINTER and SNOWFALL, appropriate for … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Game of Thrones” & the Anglo-Saxons

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Patricia

A quick internet search for ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘History’ will offer theories about what historical events and figures inspired author George R.R.Martin, some of them suggested by Martin himself. For example, the resemblance of the houses of Stark and … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms Exhibit Catalogue

Posted on February 5, 2019 by Patricia

  I could not make it to London to see the highly acclaimed exhibit at the British Library, ANGLO-SAXON KINGDOMS, so I purchased the catalogue, which arrived yesterday. I have a lot of reading ahead of me over the next … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Tolkien and the Anglo-Saxons

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Patricia

Where has the horse gone? Where is the rider? Where is the giver of gold? Where are the seats of the feast? Where are the joys of the hall? O the bright cup! O the brave warrior! from The Wanderer, … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Last Kingdom, Episode 8: The Battle of Edington

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Patricia

878 A.D. In the seventh week after Easter King Alfred rode to Ecbryht’s Stone…All those of Somerset came to meet him, and those of Wiltshire and Hampshire…they were glad of his coming. ..He went from that camp…to Edington, and there … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, History, Review, The Last Kingdom, UK, Vikings | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Last Kingdom, Episode Five: Uhtred vs Ubba

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Patricia

Alternate Title: UHTRED vs UBBA, ODDA 1, ODDA2, ALFRED, LEOFRIC, MILDRITH, OSWALD…oh heck. UHTRED vs EVERYBODY Episode 5 begins with shipwreck and concludes with a very different kind of wreck. In between, our hero Uhtred covers a lot of ground … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, Books, Review, The Last Kingdom, UK, Vikings | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Last Kingdom, Episode 4: The Peace is Over

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Patricia

With Episode Four we have reached the half-way point of this season. A new woman has entered Uhtred’s life. Those of us who have read Cornwell’s novels have learned to not get too attached to Uhtred’s women. They come and … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, History, The Last Kingdom, Vikings | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Last Kingdom, Episode 3: The New King of Wessex

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Patricia

Despite the fact that the main character of Bernard Cornwell’s books is our hero Uhtred, it is Alfred who is the focal character of this episode. Everything and everyone revolves around him, and actor David Dawson does a spectacular job … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, History, Review, The Last Kingdom, UK, Vikings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Last Kingdom, Episode 2

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Patricia

At the beginning of this episode of The Last Kingdom, as scenes from the previous episode flash across the television screen and the voice of Uhtred summarizes his early life, he says, “Destiny is all.” This phrase appears in every … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, The Last Kingdom, Vikings | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

England’s First City, circa A.D. 1000

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Patricia

For centuries the city of London has been the cultural, political and financial center of the United Kingdom. Turn back the clock some 1200 years though, and you will find that the royal and religious center of England was farther … Read More →

Posted in Anglo-Saxons, History, Research | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment