Worlds of Arthur: Facts and Fictions of the Dark Ages First Edition

The strength of this work lies in robust academic understanding of current evidence for 5th-and-6th-century Britain, presented in a pithy, engaging, and accessible manner. Gildas, Bede, the Historia Brittonum, and other documentary sources are treated to rigorous-but-fair scrutiny; Halsall does not cherry-pick texts that conveniently fit his theory. Archaeological evidence is given equal emphasis, employed with flourish. ― Current Archaeology

[Guy Halsall] has produced a brilliant portrait of Britain in the 5th and 6th centuries, drawing on literary and archeological sources to challenge almost every orthodoxy of the age. Those who desire a surprisingly witty, intellectually rigorous and historically captivating journey deep into the crucible of medieval Britain will enjoy this book immensely. ― Dan Jones, Sunday Times

Worlds of Arthur manages to be both scholarly and readable. It is a considerable achievement. ― Times Literary Supplement

Guy Halsall is a rarity – not only an Englishman at home abroad, but also a historian who can handle archaeology with equal deftness. He writes engagingly and isn’t afraid to say what he thinks. This is a fantastic book which deserves to sell thousands of copies, not only to academic early medievalists but also to fantasy junkies lured by the clever cover. ― British Archaeology Magazine

This is a highly accessible discussion of the history and archaeology of Britain between AD 400 and 600, aimed both at contesting the many recent ‘real-Arthur’ histories and at re-examining the ways in which scholars across the last century or so have interpreted the evidence from this period. The result is a highly stimulating, generally lucid and exciting discourse, delivered with wit and verve ― N.J. Higham, Society for Medieval Archaeology

an exciting book ― Anne Lawrence-Mathers, History