Overview

As in ‘Britain B.C.’ and ‘Britain A.D.’ (also accompanied by Channel 4 series), eminent archaeologist Francis Pryor challenges familiar historical views of the Middle Ages by examining fresh evidence from the ground. The term 'Middle Ages' suggests a time between two other ages: a period when nothing much happened. In his radical reassessment, Francis Pryor shows that this is very far from the truth, and that the Middle Ages (approximately 800-1550) were actually the time when the modern world was born. This was when Britain moved from Late Antiquity into a world we can recognize as more or less familiar: roads and parishes became fixed; familiar institutions, such as the church and local government, came into being; industry became truly industrial; and international trade was now a routine process. Archaeology shows that the Middle Ages were far from static. Based on everyday, often humdrum evidence, it demonstrates that the later agricultural and industrial revolutions were not that unexpected, given what we now know of the later medieval period. Similarly, the explosion of British maritime power in the late 1700s had roots in the 15th century. The book stresses continuous development at the expense of ‘revolution', though the Black Death (1348), which killed a third of the population, did have a profound effect in loosening the grip of the feudal system. Labour became scarce and workers gained power; land became more available and the move to modern farming began. The Middle Ages can now be seen in a fresh light as an era of great inventiveness, as the author examines such topics as 'upward mobility'; the power of the Church; the role of the Guilds as precursors of trade unions; the transport infrastructure of roads, bridges and shipbuilders; and the increase in iron production.

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9780007203628

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Reviews

'Pryor's performance in this book remains a hugely entertaining one.' Sunday Telegraph '[The book lets in] new and fascinating light.' Scotsman 'Francis Pryor is that rare combination of a first-rate working archaeologist and a good writer, with priceless ability of being able to explain complex ideas clearly!Herein lies a great pleasure of Pryor's writing!The author's eclectic interests and his passion for a past he considers deeply relevant to the present drive Britain in the Middle Ages . This is popular archaeology at its best: engaging, knowledgeable and provocative, driven by the author's zestful, insatiable curiosity. One can only hope that Pryor makes good his threat to write a book on the archaeology of the 20th century. It will be an eye-opener. Times Higher Educational Supplement Praise for 'Britain B.C.': 'It bounds along, wonderfully enlivened by Pryor's earthy enthusiasm. If you want to be introduced painlessly to the fascinating debates surrounding our British past, then Britain BC is the book for you.' Barry Cunliffe, New Scientist 'Francis Pryor is a modern field archaeologist with a reputation second to none. He has written a book as successful and exciting as its ambition is huge!lucid and engaging.' Alan Garner, The Times 'Splendid!a remarkable, imaginative and persuasive account of those other Britons before that [Roman] enslavement: its enthusiastic and confident approach deserves to be very influential.' Christopher Chippendale, Times Literary Supplement

'Pryor's performance in this book remains a hugely entertaining one.' Sunday Telegraph '[The book lets in] new and fascinating light.' Scotsman 'Francis Pryor is that rare combination of a first-rate working archaeologist and a good writer, with priceless ability of being able to explain complex ideas clearly!Herein lies a great pleasure of Pryor's writing!The author's eclectic interests and his passion for a past he considers deeply relevant to the present drive Britain in the Middle Ages . This is popular archaeology at its best: engaging, knowledgeable and provocative, driven by the author's zestful, insatiable curiosity. One can only hope that Pryor makes good his threat to write a book on the archaeology of the 20th century. It will be an eye-opener. Times Higher Educational Supplement Praise for 'Britain B.C.': 'It bounds along, wonderfully enlivened by Pryor's earthy enthusiasm. If you want to be introduced painlessly to the fascinating debates surrounding our British past, then Britain BC is the book for you.' Barry Cunliffe, New Scientist 'Francis Pryor is a modern field archaeologist with a reputation second to none. He has written a book as successful and exciting as its ambition is huge!lucid and engaging.' Alan Garner, The Times 'Splendid!a remarkable, imaginative and persuasive account of those other Britons before that [Roman] enslavement: its enthusiastic and confident approach deserves to be very influential.' Christopher Chippendale, Times Literary Supplement

'Pryor's performance in this book remains a hugely entertaining one.' Sunday Telegraph '[The book lets in] new and fascinating light.' Scotsman 'Francis Pryor is that rare combination of a first-rate working archaeologist and a good writer, with priceless ability of being able to explain complex ideas clearly...Herein lies a great pleasure of Pryor's writing...The author's eclectic interests and his passion for a past he considers deeply relevant to the present drive Britain in the Middle Ages . This is popular archaeology at its best: engaging, knowledgeable and provocative, driven by the author's zestful, insatiable curiosity. One can only hope that Pryor makes good his threat to write a book on the archaeology of the 20th century. It will be an eye-opener. Times Higher Educational Supplement

Technological advancements in the field of archaeology substantially rewrite long-accepted historical facts about Britain.Archaeologist Pryor has already meticulously mapped out key periods in his homeland's history (Britain BC, 2005, etc.), so he's perfectly placed to provide this historical overhaul of its Middle Ages. He begins by outlining the incredible changes that have occurred in British archaeology in recent years, as government spending increased from (UKP)3 - (UKP)4 million in the 1980s to a colossal (UKP)40 - (UKP)50 million in 2004. The opening chapters set the tone for the rest of this account. Writing in relaxed, non-academic, almost conversational prose, Pryor delineates the vast technological changes that have swept through the profession. His aim is to illustrate how different the Middle Ages were from the stagnant period scholars often portray it to be. In fact, according to the author, the Middle Ages paved the way for many modern marvels that we now take for granted. Pryor examines how the Vikings helped Britain create trade with other countries; he looks at the establishment of rudimentary local government outposts; and he analyzes the flourishing of churches across the country. He is also careful to pore over every detail dug up by recent archaeological finds, so he spends time exploring how roads developed into a network that still exists today and uses such developments to emphasize that this was a period of gradual change rather than radical transformation. For Pryor, this type of slow progress makes the era infinitely fascinating, and although the lack of excitement is perhaps why the period is so overlooked, readers who have more than a passing interest in the subject should find much to please them here.An interesting take on an age that continues to influence the world. (Kirkus Reviews)

Author Information

Francis Pryor is one of Britain's most distinguished living archaeologists, and the excavator of Flag Fen. He is the author of Home, Britain BC, Britain AD, Seahenge and The Making Of The British Landscape.

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