Rory Naismith Books

'With a past as deep and sinewy as the famous River Thames that twists like an eel around the jutting peninsula of Mudchute and the Isle of Dogs, London is one of the world's greatest and most resilient cities. Born beside the sludge and the silt of the meandering waterway that has always been its lifeblood, it has weathered invasion, flood, abandonment, fire and bombing. The modern story of London is well known. Much has been written about the later history of this megalopolis which, like a seductive dark star, has drawn incomers perpetually into its orbit. Yet, as Rory Naismith reveals - in his zesty evocation of the nascent medieval city - much less has been said about how close it came to earlier obliteration. Following the collapse of Roman civilization in fifth-century Britannia, darkness fell over the former province. Villas crumbled to ruin; vital commodities became scarce; cities decayed; and Londinium, the capital, was all but abandoned. Yet despite its demise as a living city, memories of its greatness endured like the moss and bindweed which now ensnared its toppled columns and pilasters. By the 600s a new settlement, Lundenwic, was established on the banks of the River Thames by enterprising traders who braved the North Sea in their precarious small boats. The history of the city's phoenix-like resurrection, as it was transformed from an empty shell into a court of kings - and favoured setting for church councils from across the land - is still virtually unknown. The author here vividly evokes the forgotten Lundenwic and the later fortress on the Thames - Lundenburgh - of desperate Anglo-Saxon defenders who retreated inside their Roman walls to stand fast against menacing Viking incursions. Recalling the lost cities which laid the foundations of today's great capital, this book tells the stirring story of how dead Londinium was reborn, against the odds, as a bulwark against the Danes and a pivotal English citadel. It recounts how Anglo-Saxon London survived to become the most important town in England - and a vital stronghold in later campaigns against the Normans in 1066. Revealing the remarkable extent to which London was at the centre of things, from the very beginning, this volume at last gives the vibrant early medieval city its due.' -- Details from publisher

Blending narrative with clear explanations of key events and sources, this undergraduate textbook deconstructs the early history of Britain within an accessible framework. Extensive primary sources encourage students to interrogate and debate a dynamic era which saw deep change in culture, language politics, religion and social structure.

The book is a publication by Spink & Son Limited, known for its expertise in numismatics and philately. It features a comprehensive collection of auction catalogs, showcasing rare coins, stamps, and other collectibles. Each entry includes detailed descriptions, images, and historical context, making it an invaluable resource for collectors and enthusiasts. The volume emphasizes the significance of the items presented and highlights trends in the market, offering insights into the world of collectible investments.

The book explores the significance of coined money in early medieval Europe, highlighting its role as a tool for understanding economic and social structures despite its scarcity. Rory Naismith presents case studies from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, arguing that coined money was crucial for articulating individual status and measuring economic complexity. He examines the evolution of currency from the post-Roman era through the rise of the silver penny, challenging the notion that money was solely for elites and traders, revealing its broader societal implications.

This groundbreaking study of coinage in early medieval England is the first to take account of the very significant additions to the corpus of southern English coins discovered in recent years and to situate this evidence within the wider historical context of Anglo-Saxon England and its continental neighbours.