In the fifth century, the Roman Empire collapsed and Western Europe began remaking itself in the turmoil that followed. In south-west Britain, old tribal authorities and identities reasserted themselves and a ruling elite led a vibrant and outward-looking kingdom with trade networks that stretched around the Atlantic coast of Europe and abroad into the Mediterranean. They and their descendants would forge their new kingdom into an identity and a culture that lasts into the modern age.

The Western Kingdom is the story of Cornwall, and of how its unique language, culture and heritage survived even after politically merging with England in the tenth century. It’s a tale of warfare, trade and survival – and defiance in the face of defeat.

‘Fletcher brings together numerous historical sources and his own interpretation to create a fresh picture of Cornwall during the Dark Ages, recognising and reinstating its position as a self-governing nation during Post Roman and Early Medieval Britain.’

‘With The Western Kingdom, Fletcher reviews the known sources which provide evidence for early mediaeval Cornwall and challenges the usual assumption that it's primary focus was on events on its eastern border. Instead he presents a case for Cornwall emerging from the post-Roman period as a westward and Mediterranean facing dynamic polity that maintained its centuries - old connections to the wider world. An interesting and useful addition to the field of early mediaeval studies.’

JOHN FLETCHER has been an Early Medieval reenactor for sixteen years, with much of that being focused on recreating life in 8th-11th century Cornwall and Devon. He runs the Facebook page 'Morvleydh', and gives talks on the emergence of the Cornish state. He has a BSc in Environmental Sciences and focussed his dissertation on how climate change impacted Early Medieval settlement on Dartmoor.