The Who’s Who of Anglo-Saxon England

The British Library’s new exhibition is a star-studded tour of the Anglo-Saxons at their most eloquent.

Kate Wiles | Published in 22 Oct 2018

Detail of the Lindisfarne Gospels, f.27r (c) British Library Board.

This is billed as a once-in-a-generation exhibition, but that is selling it short. More properly, it might be called once-in-a-millennium.

Compared to some periods, surviving manuscripts from Anglo-Saxon England are few; so few that we know most of them at a glance, or by name. In Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: Art, Word, War, every case holds ‘a name’; it is like walking through a hall of fame and recognising every face.

To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.

Start my trial subscription now

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.