{"product_id":"the-lords-of-battle-image-and-reality-of-the-comitatus-in-dark-age-britain-paperback","title":"The Lords of Battle: Image and Reality of the Comitatus in Dark-Age Britain - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eStephen S. Evans\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFirst study of the Dark Age comitatus, or warband, drawing evidence from literary and historical sources. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe Lords of Battle examines the image of the comitatus, or warband, as it is portrayed in literary and historical sources from Britain's early medieval period, attempting to determine the extent to which it reflectsan historical reality. Through an extensive use of a variety of source material, literary, historical, and archaeological, the book investigates both the structure of the warband, and the practices and institutions which supported it.\u003cbr\u003e After a review of the historical background of Dark Age Britain, Stephen Evans explores the practical characteristics of the comitatus: its military organisation; its internal social structure and its place within society as a whole; and the lord-retainer relationship, its duties and obligations. He also examines the cultural, social, and economic institutions which produced and supported the warband. Overall, the study provides a numberof insights into the ideals and practices of Britain's Celtic and Anglo-Saxon warrior-élites during a turbulent period. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Dr STEPHEN EVANS gained his PhD from Temple University.\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Lords of Battle examines the image of the comitatus, or warband, as it is portrayed in literary and historical sources from Britain's early medieval period; in so doing, it attempts to determine the extent to which this image reflects an historical reality. Through an extensive use of a variety of source material, literary, historical, and archaeological, the book investigates both the structure of the warband, and the practices and institutions which supported it. After a review of the historical background of Dark Age Britain, Stephen Evans explores the practical characteristics of the comitatus, such as its military organisation; its internal social structure and its place within society as a whole; and the lord-retainer relationship, its duties and obligations. He also examines the cultural, social, and economic institutions which produced and supported the warband, including the role of the court poets; the importance of the hall; hostage-taking and fosterage; and food-renders, tribute, and booty. Overall, the study provides a number of insights into the ideals and practices of Britain's Celtic and Anglo-Saxon warrior-elites during a turbulent period.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 180\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.55 x 9.17 x 6.12 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e December 22, 2009\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42130285887623,"sku":"9780851156620","price":51.28,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/eb0e7d570264c0f7fd7df47b918884f3.webp?v=1732609831","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/the-lords-of-battle-image-and-reality-of-the-comitatus-in-dark-age-britain-paperback","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}