The story of the lands between the Forth and Humber from the end of the Roman period to the Viking kingdom of York is one of the most richly fascinating in British history. This the age of Lindisfarne and of Bede; of the dramatic hills, valleys and ancient routeways that link the Irish Sea and the North Sea; of names that resonate even now: Edwin, Oswald, Hild, Cuthbert, Wilfrid; of conquest, conversion and the legacies of intellectual giants.

This history of Early Medieval Northumbria explores themes of landscape, power, creativity and intellect. Fresh archaeological evidence and research in historical geography shed light on the fascinating story of how land was managed, exploited and deployed as an expression of power by both secular and ecclesiastical forces, and aspects such as the role of élite women in shaping politics and religion is given new focus. Max Adams and Colm O’ Brien show conclusively how Northumbria’s political, cultural and religious elements coalesced to forge a creative powerhouse which shaped the world we have inherited.

'The authors successfully weave together the various sources, planting their story firmly into the landscape of the time... a tour de force'

'Illuminating one of Britain’s most compelling historical landscapes, this authoritative study traces the centuries between the collapse of Roman rule and the rise of the Viking kingdom of York, weaving archaeology, geology and cultural memory into a vivid portrait of the North'

Max Adams is the author of a number of critically acclaimed books on Dark Age history including The King in the North, In the Land of Giants and The First Kingdom. He has appeared on many TV documentaries about Dark Age history and is Visiting Fellow in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Newcastle University. He lives in Durham.

A former field archaeologist, Colm O’Brien has excavated settlements and conducted studies on kingship sites of early medieval Northumbria. He is a Visiting Fellow in Archaeology at Newcastle University and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. He lives in Tynemouth.