Dark Age Naval Power
A re-assessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon seafaring activity
John Haywood

In the first edition of this work, published in 1991, John Haywood argued that the capabilities of the pre-Viking Germanic seafarers had been greatly underestimated. Since that time, his reassessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon shipbuilding and seafaring has been widely praised and accepted.

‘The book remains a historical study of the first order. It is required reading for our seminar on medieval seafaring at Texas A & M University and is essential reading for anyone interested in the subject.’
F. H. Van Doorninck, The American Neptune

‘The author has done a fine job, and his clear and strongly put theories will hopefully further the discussion of this important part of European history.’
Arne Emil Christensen, The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology

‘Writing a comprehensive history of the clandestine activities of preliterate Dark Age societies is an ambitious task and this book is a remarkable achievement.’
Gillian Hutchinson, Mariner’s Mirror

In this second edition, some sections of the book have been revised and updated to include information gained from excavations and sea trials with sailing replicas of early ships. The new evidence lends weight to the author’s argument that early Germanic shipbuilding and seafaring skills were far more advanced than previously thought. It also supports the view that Viking ships and seaborne activities were not as revolutionary as is commonly believed.

£18·95

ISBN 978 1898281436 224 pages hardback