UK Book Suggestions

General

Ancient England

Richard Bradley, The Prehistory of Britain and Ireland

A readable textbook that covers an immense period – the Neolithic through to the end of the Iron Age – clearly. It makes a good primer.

Guy de la Bédoyère, Roman Britain: A New History

Guy de la Bédoyère has written extensively on every aspect of Roman Britain for years now. This beautifully illustrated book is an excellent introduction for the general reader; readable without talking down, it’s up-to-date, comprehensive and logical throughout. It’s not going to fit in anyone’s pocket, though.

Peter Salway, Roman Britain

Older than de la Bédoyère’s book, but larger and with a more narrative bent and somewhat more depth of discussion.

Mediaeval England

Nicholas Higham, MJ Ryan The Anglo-Saxon World

An excellent, detailed recent work taking us from the end of the Roman Empire through to the Conquest. Well-written, handsomely illustrated – a real pleasure to look at – and intelligent.

Robin Fleming, Britain after Rome

Covering the same period as The Anglo-Saxon World, this is another written account which, while lacking illustrations, broadens the scope to include the Vikings and covers the story of the whole island of Britain.

David Carpenter, The struggle for mastery

A thorough account of the establishment of the post-Conquest Kingdom of England and its conquests with its neighbours for dominion of the island, and the efforts of its kings to assert their power against powerful nobles in a particularly turbulent period of English history.

Original writings

Tacitus, The Annals

Tacitus, Agricola

Bede, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle

Historical Accounts

Mike Pitts, Hengeworld

Mike Parker Pearson et al, Stonehenge: Making Sense of a Prehistoric Mystery

Mark Gillings & Josuah Pollard, Avebury

Joshua Pollard, Neolithic Britain

Tim Copeland, Roman Gloucestershire

Barry Cunliffe, Roman Bath Discovered

David E Johnston, Roman Villas

Jim Bradbury, Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53

Marc Morris, A great and terrible king: Edward I and the forging of Britain

Philip Rahtz, Glastonbury

Jaqueline Riding, Mid-Georgian Britain

Original Writings

Geoffrey of Monmouth, The History of the Kings of Britain

Sir Thomas Malory, The Death of Arthur