Corpus Of Anglo Saxon Stone Sculpture In England Pt 1 General Introduction County Durham And Northumberland

This analytical catalogue of sculpture from the historic counties of Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire provides a new perspective on the artistic achievement of the late Saxon kingdom. The volume includes individual pieces of the highest quality such as the Bradford-on-Avon and Winterbourne Steepleton angels or the newly discovered figures from Congresbury. Most of the monuments were carved at a time when Wessex art was at its zenith in the tenth and eleventh centuries, a formative period for English cultural identity. This volume sets the sculpture within an historical, topographical and art-historical context, highlighting the close links with contemporary styles in manuscripts and metalwork. Full photographic records of each monument present many new illustrations unique to this volume. An indispensable research tool for all those interested in the early medieval world, this volume is also an authoritative aid for local historians.

Drawing on sources from archaeology and written texts, the author brings out the full significance of trees in both pagan and Christian Anglo-Saxon religion.

This book is for readers who wish to learn more about Anglo-Saxon church architecture and Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Scandinavian stone sculpture. Intended for the student and non-specialist alike, as well as readers who already have some knowledge of the subjects covered, it bridges the divide between an academic approach and that of the interested general public. The aim is to provide an informed introduction to the subjects so that the reader will be able to confidently recognise Anglo- Saxon church architectural features and Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Scandinavian stone sculpture. The contents, including illustrations and photographs, all meticulously checked on site, are drawn from the authorÕs extensive research and travels over many years. Especially useful is the gazetteer section offering a selection of sites providing excellent examples of the features described in the main body of the book.