travelingaunta

I'm looking for recommendations for books to read prior to an upcoming trip to England and Scotland. I'd appreciate any recs on the following:

1. history of York (either focusing on the medieval period or a comprehensive history).
2. anything about St. Bede or St. Cuthbert (visiting Durham Cathedral)
3. Hadrian's Wall
4. Border Wars
5. Dissolution of the monasteries (will be seeing a lot of ruined abbeys!)

I'd prefer non-fiction, and don't mind primary or older sources (if for example the best thing you've read about St. Bede was by one of his contemporaries, that's cool.) I would also read historical fiction, although it's not my favorite. Thanks everyone!

sheila

I'm pretty hopeless about non-fiction. It so much isn't my thing. But can I recommend The Steel Bonnets by George MacDonald Fraser. You do know that most of that stuff was families fighting over land and money rather than nation fighting nation? But I did find this one, which would, at least, probably have a good bibliography

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Border-Warfa...857580&sr=1-35

We didn't really have a "dissolution" in Scotland. You might find this one useful, tho'

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Abb...6&sr=1-1-fkmr1

Underhill

Give this novel a try: "Dissolution," by C. F. Sansom. It's one of the best pieces of historical fiction ever and is set smack in the period that interests you. The author is a lawyer and has a great sense of place.

Anything by H. V. Morton.

belted_galloway

4. The Border Wars

The de facto read of our very tawdry and dark history is The Steel Bonnets by George MacDonald Fraser. I love the introduction which highlights the point in history when US president spoke to the first man on the moon. Both were Bordermen.

It also gives a good insight as to why many Border families still feel little nationalism for either nation, as I do.

We look after ourselves.

belted_galloway

http://www.phphotoimages.co.uk/photo_7325344.html

Always sends shivers down my spine.

Sorry Sheila just spotted you already suggested Steel Bonnets.

belted_galloway

http://www.tulliehouse.co.uk/

Has great coverage of all your subject matter, particularly the Romans in Britain.

jamikins

One my hubby likes - how the scots invented the modern world and everything in it.

belted_galloway

Bonnie Scootland : never conquered. Even Longshanks dropped dead at the prospect.