Contents

Welcome Page

About Ælfred’s Britain

List of Maps

Dedication

Map

Frontispiece

Author’s note

Introduction

PART I: The tiger in the smoke, 789–878

Timeline 1: 789–878

Forespæc

Chapter 1: Landscape with figures

Chapter 2: Central places

Chapter 3: The incoming tide

Chapter 4: The End of Days

PART II: Newton’s cradle, 879–918

Timeline 2: 879–918

Forespæc

Chapter 5: The balance of power

Chapter 6: Arrivals and departures

Chapter 7: Fragmentary annals

Chapter 8: Politics by other means

PART III: Going native, 919–955

Timeline 3: 919–955

Forespæc

Chapter 9: Innate affinities with ambiguity

Chapter 10: Lawyers, guns and money

Chapter 11: A house of cards

Chapter 12: The illusory prize

Endpapers

Appendix: Regnal tables

Rulers of Wessex 802–955

Rulers of York 867–955

Rulers of Mercia 757–924

Rulers of Pictavia; Dál Riata; Alba 839–955

Rulers of the Welsh 808–950

Abbreviations, sources and references

Notes

Bibliography

Picture credits

Acknowledgements

Index

About Max Adams

Also by Max Adams

An Invitation from the Publisher

Copyright