Rodney Castleden Book order

Rodney Castleden explores the purpose of great prehistoric projects like Avebury and Stonehenge and the nature of the society which built them

Delving into the architectural history of Alciston church, this guide highlights its significance through detailed records maintained by its two owners since the Norman Conquest. The unique insights are enriched by findings from a rare archaeological excavation at the church's eastern end. With 105 pages and 47 black and white illustrations, the work offers a comprehensive exploration of Alciston's historical narrative and the surrounding area's heritage.

The book provides a comprehensive record of inscriptions found in the church and churchyard at Wilmington, Sussex, rich in history and folklore. It explores the intertwined narratives of the church, the nearby priory, and the iconic Long Man of Wilmington, alongside the ancient yew tree in the churchyard. A detailed historical introduction connects these elements, while the extensive record of monumental inscriptions is complemented by photographs, plans, and indexes, making it an essential resource for local and family historians.

Focusing on the rich historical context of Selmeston Church, this guide delves into its nineteenth-century reconstruction by Vicar William Parish, a friend of Lewis Carroll. It highlights the church's medieval appearance while uncovering its deeper roots, tracing back to Saxon settlers and even earlier neolithic and mesolithic inhabitants. The book explores various historical enigmas surrounding the site, complemented by 47 black and white illustrations that enhance the narrative across its 101 pages.

Exploring the Cuckmere Pilgrim Path offers a scenic 14-mile round walk through Sussex, connecting seven historic churches and the Long Man chalk figure. As walkers progress, the narrative pauses at each church to delve into its rich history and surrounding landscape. Key locations along the route include Alfriston, Berwick, Alciston, Selmeston, Arlington, Wilmington, and Lullington, making it a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Focusing on Seaford's evolution, this comprehensive history traces the town's transformation from a burgeoning port post-Norman Conquest to its recognition as a Cinque Port during the Middle Ages. The narrative addresses the decline caused by natural silting and highlights Seaford's resurgence as a political center, including its role in parliamentary representation. Spanning 900 years, the book features 392 pages and 272 black and white images, showcasing the town's resilience and reinvention throughout its history.

Focusing on a unique church in a small hamlet, this historical guide delves into the intriguing past of Arlington in Sussex. It examines the Saxon settlement's challenging location, possibly a river port, and the significance of its Norman chapel linked to the Canterbury pilgrimage cult. With 102 pages and 49 black and white illustrations, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the area's rich history and the enigmatic church that stands at its center.

Renowned for its wall paintings by Duncan Grant and the Bloomsbury Group, Berwick church in Sussex also boasts a rich history that dates back to Saxon times. The Victorian rector Edward Ellman undertook significant restorations, while features like the Saxon font and a potential pre-Christian burial mound in the churchyard add to its historical intrigue. This guide delves into the church's extensive and fascinating past.

Historical investigation of the Trojan War with fascinating analysis of the literary and archaeological evidence. číst celé

In Vikings, historian Rodney Castleden successfully separates the truth from Norse myth and examines the achievements of the Viking Age—the people, their artistry, technological skills, and seamanship. At the gates of Valhalla, Odin, the God of War and Death, welcomed the bravest of the slain warriors arriving in flaming longships for their final battle. It is a fiery legend still celebrated annually in the Shetland Islands, 150 miles northeast of Scotland, where Vikings ruled for 500 years. In the streets of Lerwick, modern-day Norse descendants form vast torch-lit processions, before burning a sacrificial longship in a Festival of Fire called Up Helly Aa! From the late 8th century, when Viking raiders first appeared, to the end of the 11th century, Scandinavian men and women traveled to many parts of the world, from Newfoundland to Byzantium, in a cultural expansion that lasted for 300 years. But tales of terrifying berserkers may have been the mere propaganda of contemporary Christian chroniclers. Beyond the blood and brutality of legend, Viking colonists shared their culture and craftsmanship, leaving behind an enduring legacy. Learn more about the culture and history of the Vikings, and also when to separate myth from truth, in this intriguing book from the Oxford People series.