Mostly Gildas.
https://www.thecollector.com/legions-legends-fall-roman-britain/
Quote from: Duncan Head on Jul 06, 2026, 10:51 AMMostly Gildas.
https://www.thecollector.com/legions-legends-fall-roman-britain/
Interesting the distance between Gildas and the events he recalls is about the same as between us and the wars of Napoleon.
Assuming in his day, Gildas had access to some historical records is he attempting to do what we would be doing if we attempted to write the history of Europe from 1790 to 1820 having in our possession two or three randomly surviving books from the Sharpe series?
At least Bernard Cornwell names the cast of characters.
Thanks Duncan
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jul 06, 2026, 11:24 AMQuote from: Duncan Head on Jul 06, 2026, 10:51 AMMostly Gildas.
https://www.thecollector.com/legions-legends-fall-roman-britain/
Interesting the distance between Gildas and the events he recalls is about the same as between us and the wars of Napoleon.
Assuming in his day, Gildas had access to some historical records is he attempting to do what we would be doing if we attempted to write the history of Europe from 1790 to 1820 having in our possession two or three randomly surviving books from the Sharpe series?
Not really. It is a sermon/polemic decrying the behaviour of the times, not a history.
Quote from: nikgaukroger on Jul 06, 2026, 12:53 PMQuote from: Jim Webster on Jul 06, 2026, 11:24 AMQuote from: Duncan Head on Jul 06, 2026, 10:51 AMMostly Gildas.
https://www.thecollector.com/legions-legends-fall-roman-britain/
Interesting the distance between Gildas and the events he recalls is about the same as between us and the wars of Napoleon.
Assuming in his day, Gildas had access to some historical records is he attempting to do what we would be doing if we attempted to write the history of Europe from 1790 to 1820 having in our possession two or three randomly surviving books from the Sharpe series?
Not really. It is a sermon/polemic decrying the behaviour of the times, not a history.
Yes, it's a very frustrating document to read. But he has to have enough history correct (in the eyes of his readers) to ensure that they aren't dropped out of the flow of his argument by glaring errors.
Really? This has never concerned many recent politicians. :P
Don't forget that 2 generations pass and eye witness accounts fade fast...