bibliographes

Medieval Bibliographies

Norman Studies Bibliography
Book	Comments
Saxon, Viking and Norman: Scandinavia and Europe 800-1200, Else Roesdahl and David L. Wilson, Rizzoli International Publications, Inc., 1992	An excellent resource for Norse reenactment. Contains a catalogue of various finds (with pictures), description of the items, and a discussion of Scandinavia and its cultures in this period.
The Mastermyr Find: A Viking Age Tool Chest from Gotland, Gretta Arwidsson and Gosta Berg, Larson Publishing Company, 1999 (orig. (c) 1983)	An in-depth analysis of a particularly interesting Viking period find. Contains a catalogue of the items in the find, including pictures as well as some line drawings. Also contains a metalugical analysis and various discussions.
The Normans, Elite Series (9), D. Nicolle & A. McBride, Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1987	More specific to Normans than the Saxon, Viking and Norman book, but still should not be taken as a expert source.
Norman Knight, Warrior Series (1), AAAAAA, Osprey Publishing Ltd., YYYY	More oriented towards the reenactor and living history than other Osprey books.
1066 The Year of Conquest, D. Howarth, The Viking Press, 1977	A relatively easy read that explains how the Battle of Hastings came to occur. Easy to find.
The Enigma of Hastings, E. Tetlow, St. Martin's Press, Inc., 1974	Lots of background material for the major players in the Battle of Hastings.
Hastings, Great Battles Series, P. P. Wright, The Windrush Press, 1996	Informative on a variety of specific details regarding the battle.
Life in Norman England, English Life Series, O.G. Tomkeieff, Capricorn Books, 1966	The author attempts to re-create life in Norman England for the reader. Nothing terribly enlightening.
The Normans in Britain, Historical Associations Studies, D. Walker, Blackwell Publishers, Inc., 1995	Shows how the Normans spread their power into Wales, Scotland and Ireland as well as England.
The Norman Kingdom of Sicily, D. Matthew, Cambridge University Press, 1992	Good textbook on an oft-ignored subject.
The Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings 1066, M. Rud, Christian Eilers Publishers, Inc., 1983(88)	Includes entire tapestry, translation of all text from the tapestry, map of battle, and various geneologies.
The Bayeux Tapestry and the Norman Invasion, L. Thorpe, The Folio Society, 1973	Includes an introduction by the author and a translation of William of Poitier's contemporary account of the invasion as well as the entire tapestry with translation.
The Bayeux Tapestry, D. M. Wilson, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1985	Examines the tapestry as both a work of art and an historical document.
William the Conqueror, D. C. Douglas, University of California Press, 1964.	Excellent history that follows Williams rise in Normandy through his successful invasion of Britain and beyond. Prime reading for those interested in William and the Normans in Britain.
The Normans and Their World, Jack Lindsay, St. Martin's Press, 1974.	A misleading title. This book concentrates on the Norman invasion of England. It attempts to 'get inside the minds' of the key figures of the period and investigate the events leading up to the invasion and forces (cultural and social) acting upon them.
Warfare under the Anglo-Norman Kings, Stephen Morillo, The Boydell Press, 1994	Haven't finished reading it but it looks pretty cool. Examines military structure as well as warfare patterns in seiges and battles. Several particular battles are examined in detail.

Viking Studies Bibliography
Book	Comments
From Viking to Crusader, Men-at-Arms Series (85), T. Wise & G. A. Embleton, Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1979
Saxon, Viking and Norman, Men-at-Arms Series (85), T. Wise & G. A. Embleton, Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1979	Not recommened for serious historical study but a nice starting point for those just starting out in living history or reenactment.
The Vikings, Elite Series(3), I. Heath & A. McBride, Osprey Publishing Ltd., 1985	More specific to Vikings than the Saxon, Viking and Norman book, but still should not be taken as a expert source.
The Viking Achievement, Sidgwick & Jackson Great Civilizations Series, P.G. Foote & D.M. Wilson, St. Martin's Press, 1970(89)	Well illustrated with line drawings and a number of plates. A good overview of viking culture and society.
The Vikings, Johannes Brøndsted, Pelican Books, 1960(65)	An older general history of the vikings. Some nice illustrations.
The Vikings and Their Origins, D.M. Wilson, Thames and Hudson, 1970(89)	A short and cursory history, well illustrated with some color plates.
The Vikings, E. Roesdahl, The Penguin Press, 1987(91)	Broad review of viking culture and society. Mainly topical.
A History of the Vikings, G. Jones, Oxford University Press, 1968(84, 90)	While most books on the vikings concentrate on their culture and society this book is more of a chronological history. It is illustrated with line drawings as well as a number of plates.
Gods and Myths of the Viking Age, H.R.E. Davidson, Bell Publishing, 1981 (orig. Penguin Books, Ltd., 1964)	Very good source on the myths and their implications. Deals primarily with the major deities but also considers a number of lesser important deities.
Viking Poems on War and Peace, R.G. Poole, University of Toronto Press, 1991	A study in Skaldic narrative. A scholarly examination of several specific Skaldic poems.
The Viking Art of War, P. Griffith, Greenhill Books, London, 1995.	Attempts to identify aspects of viking warfare techniques. The author is hampered by a lack of contemporary evidence.
Edda, Snorri Sturluson, trans. by A. Faulkes, Everyman's Library, 1987(92)	Translation of Sturluson's Prose Edda. Introduction by the translator.
The Poetic Edda, (?), trans. LM Hollander, University of Texas Press, 1962(90).	Translation of the Poetic Edda. Includes a general introduction as well as introductions to each section, all by the translator.
Grettir's Saga, trans. D. Fox & H. Pálsson, University of Toronto Press, 1974(90).	Includes notes by the translators as well as plates depicting various locales from the story as well as line maps of important regions.
Njal's Saga, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
Egil's Saga, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
Eyrbyggja Saga, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
Laxdæla Saga, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
Orkneyinga Saga, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
Hranfnkel's Saga and Other Stories, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
The Vinland Sagas: The Norse Discovery of America, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
King Harald's Saga, S. Sturluson, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
Seven Viking Romances, trans. nnnnnnnn, Penguin Books, 19xx(xx).
Eirik the Red and Other Icelandic Sagas, trans. nnnnnn, Oxford Univeristy Press, 1961(88).
Eaters of the Dead, M. Crichton, Ballantine Books, 1993	This book is actually a novel that combines Rus vikings with the Beowulf legend. However, it is constructed upon an actual account by the Arab ibn Fahdlan which is included in the story. Ibn Fahdlan's account is included in the novel and it is thus included here. The novel was made into a movie ("The Thirteenth Warrior") starring Antonio Banderas. While horribly inaccurate it is a very entertaining film.
An Introduction to Old Norse, EV Gordon, rev. AR Taylor, Oxford University Press, 1927(rev.57, 92)	A grammar for Old Norse. Includes glossary and index of names.

page last updated September 10, 2003