New Book
Northumbria 547-2000
Reviewed by John Laidler
This innovative book examines not only the history of the kingdom of Northumbria but also the enduring notion, held particularly by people of the region, of being something special - of being Northumbrian.
Anyone interested in the history of Northumbria recognises, as the book indicates, that its boundaries were blurred. In Professor Colls’ introduction, with the unusual but apposite title ‘When was Northumbria?’, the early kingdom is identified as being between 547 and 875, i.e., “between Aethelfrith and the coming of the Danish army”. The history of this ancient kingdom and its successors are taken up to 2000. Aspects of history and identity are discussed in an eclectic range of contributions by nineteen academics.
The book is divided into five sections: ‘Christian Kingdom’ places emphasis on the early medieval story; ‘Border and Coalfield’ examines the later middle ages and up to the mid 18th century; ‘New Northumbria’ discusses the 19th and early 20th centuries; ‘Cultural Region’ concentrates on the 20th century; ‘Northumbrian Island’ which embraces the whole period. The first four sections are each subdivided into four or five chapters.
However, it would be wrong to give the impression that the book presents a mere chronology. The chapters’ authors are drawn from historians, geographers and English specialists who provide a collection of diverse and original writings.
This is a not a book for a casual read while relaxing on a deckchair. It is a well-written, scholarly work from which the discerning reader will gain pleasure as well as insights into the history and identity of the delightful region we call Northumbria.
City and County
November 2008
