CERDIC

Mysterious Dark Age king who founded England

Paul Harper

$75

Hardback

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English

Pen and Sword
01 June 2024

History; British & Irish history; Early history: c 500 to c 1450&1500; Medieval history

One of Britain's most enigmatic legendary figures is brought to life in this new account. Cerdic was a Dark Age warrior who founded the kingdom which became England, but the circumstances of his reign amid the collapse of the Western Roman Empire have been shrouded in mystery. Until now. Paul Harper tells of how Cerdic emerged from the ashes of Rome and rose to power with a warband known as the Gewisse, who offered protection to civilians from barbarians roaming the land and then fought for territory with Anglo- Saxon and Romano-British kingdoms. While other domains were conquered, the Gewisse survived and evolved into Wessex (West Saxons). During an unprecedented climate disaster, which blocked out normal sunlight for 18 months and led eventually to a plague pandemic which killed millions, Cerdic carved out a new realm that would shape Britain up to the present day. How various myths and folklore, including the King Arthur Legend, are connected to Cerdic is explored at length. The book features an in-depth investigation into the potential site of Cerdic's burial based on an ancient charter from Edward the Elder, the son of Alfred the Great, which suggested his great ancestor had been laid to rest at a spot in Hampshire. Fascinating research leads to a former Bronze Age burial mound which was once known as Ceardices Beorg (Cerdic's Barrow). One-by-one mysteries are solved including the identity of his shadowy son Creoda, the location of every bloody battle against rival warlords and the links to an iconic medieval poem called the Elegy for Geraint.

AUTHOR: Paul Harper is an experienced journalist who has been writing reports and investigations for more than a decade for British newspapers. He has worked for several top local and national news publications. Paul is now a press officer for a London-based university promoting academic research to the wider public. He has a passion for history, particularly the Anglo Saxon and Viking periods.

70 b/w illustrations

By: Paul Harper
Imprint: Pen and Sword
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781399037280
ISBN 10: 1399037285
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 01 June 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Paul Harper is an experienced journalist who has been writing reports and investigations for more than a decade for British newspapers. He has worked for several top local and national news publications. Paul is now a press officer for a London-based university promoting academic research to the wider public. He has a passion for history, particularly the Anglo Saxon and Viking periods.