Life in Ancient Britain journeys through the ancient worlds of our ancestors: how they lived, how they shaped the landscape we know today, and how we know what we do, about their achievements. This guide offers a concise and lively introduction to the prehistory of the British Isles covering the period from around 500,000 years ago when Palaeolithic hunters camped at Boxgrove in West Sussex, through the later Middle and New Stone Ages, and on to the Bronze Age and the start of the Iron Age. It describes how people first came to settle in Britain, and explores the rich mysteries of atmospheric ceremonial meeting places, barrows and stone circles. Also featured is the coming of the age of metals, when warrior-farmers created hilltop forts and settlements, stone brochs and lakeside villages indeed the Celtic Britain that the Romans found, when they first landed on our shores.
When the Romans came to Britain in AD 43, they brought a new style of domestic life, one that better-off Britons soon copied. This informative guide looks at how villas were built, and at the accommodation and daily life villa residents enjoyed - their living rooms and bedrooms, kitchens and baths, gardens and courtyards, furniture and food, and the servants and slaves who kept the villa running. Illustrated with site photos from Roman villas around Britain, archaeological treasures, and museum reconstructions of villa interiors, this is a fascinating look at life in Roman Britain before the Roman army left in AD 406 and the villa way of life faded into history. Includes a list of places to visit.
On a beach near Naples in October 79 CE, more than three hundred people were standing on a beach, hoping for an evacuation. Vesuvius a volcano which needs no introduction in the world of Ancient Rome erupted. They had left it too late, and were all instantly killed in the devastation that followed.Neighbouring the world-renowned Pompeii, the town of Herculaneum is the neglected victim of Vesuvius. It was uniquely preserved in the aftermath of the eruption, and in many ways gives us unparalleled windows into the past.For the first time, this fascinating new history tells the story of Herculaneum and the people who lived there. Through the eyes of the Weaver, the Slave Girl and the Pregnant Lady, the Soldier, the Fisherman and the Boxer, as well as relevant buildings and the archaeological discoveries of the past 20 years it is possible to hear their voices and build a historical picture that is more colourful, complete and alive than has ever been possible before.
Vikings over-wintered in England for the first time in 850. Twelve years later Harald Fairhair is born to a regional Norwegian. Young Harald battles through all of Norway becoming its first king.Alfred the Great saves Wessex from Viking invaders. His son Edward the Elder pushes the Vikings back into northern England. Athelstan, Edwards son, becomes the first King of England in 927 and, routing Irish Vikings and Scots in Englands bloodiest battle at Brunanburh in 937, his dominance is complete.Eric Bloodaxe succeeds his father becoming Norways second king. However, Harald had fostered his youngest son Hakon with Athelstan who backs Hakons challenge for Norway. Eric is overthrown and Hakon becomes third King of Norway.Eric flees to Britain where Englands third king, Edred, allows him the throne in York. Eric soon loses that crown yet four years later he becomes King in York for a second time. In 954 Eric is slaughtered in an ambush in Cumbria. There will be no more kings in York.A 100-year Game of Thrones as kings rise and fall around the North Sea.