Slavery in Early Mediaeval England from the Reign of Alfred Until the Twelfth Century - (Studies in Anglo-Saxon History) by David A E Pelteret

About the Book

This important study seeks to assemble the evidence, drawn from a variety of sources in Old English and Latin, to convey a picture of slaves and slavery in England, viewed against the background of English society as a whole.

Book Synopsis

This important study seeks to assemble the evidence, drawn from a variety of sources in Old English and Latin, to convey a picture of slaves and slavery in England, viewed against the background of English society as a whole.

At last a major topic in early medieval English history has found its author, who deals with it comprehensively and systematically.ECONOMIC HISTORY REVIEW
"A landmark teatment...immensely enriches the debate about early medieval working classes." SPECULUM

Slaves were part of the fabric of English society throughout the Anglo-Saxon era and the twelfth century, but as the base of the social pyramid, they have left no known written records;there are, however, extensive references to them throughout the documents and writings of the period. This important study seeks to assemble the evidence, drawn from a variety of sources in Old English and Latin, to convey a picture of slaves and slavery in England, viewed against the background of English society as a whole. An extensive appendix on the vernacular terminology of slavery reveals the concepts of enslavement to be embedded in the religiousimagery of the period.

DAVID PELTERET is Senior Research Fellow, Department of History, King's College London.

Review Quotes

A major contribution to the history of Anglo-Saxon England... will be considered the standard work on the subject for many years.-- "ALBION"

A very thorough and useful mass of material directly relevant to the theme of slavery and its disappearance from the English social scene.-- "SOUTHERN HISTORY"