Die Geschichte der Nordischen Völker: die Welt der Germanen, Kelten, Wikinger und Slawen : 400-1100 n. Chr.

by Christine E. Fell, Hermann Ament

The power and endurance of the Nordic spirit is encompassed within the pages of this superb new book. Understated as an outline history and heritage of northern Europe from AD 400 to 1100, the eight historians and archaeologists present a series of revealing insights into the history, culture, society, religion and myth of the Goths, Franks, Saxons, Celts, Slavs and Vikings, accompanied by an array of illustrative material. The subjects covered include `the gods and heroes, the Germanic tribes, the Celts and how they contributed to history, the rise of the Vikings, the sagas they left behind, and finally the way in which the painters, writers and composers of the nineteenth century turned history and mythology of the North into some of the greatest masterpieces of the Romantic age'.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

254 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Christine Fell joined the University of Nottingham in 1971 and brought new Scandinavian connections and experience of historical manuscript studies. Professor Fell was the first woman Head of English following her appointment as the first woman Pro-Vice Chancellor from 1986-89.

Her interests were in Old English vocabulary and semantics and she established Nottingham as a leading centre for Viking Studies. To this day, the School has a memorial fund in her name to help support students who wish to pursue these subjects at postgraduate level. In 1992 the Research Assessment Exercise was held and the research of the Department was graded at 4: "Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in virtually all sub-areas of activity, possibly showing some evidence of international excellence, or to international level in some and at least national level in a majority."

Professor Fell was appointed the first Director of the newly-established Humanities Research Centre in 1994, a post in which she continued until her retirement in 1997 due to ill health. Professor Fell died in 1998 shortly after being appointed OBE for her contribution to Early English Studies.

A sundial (copied from the original panel of an Anglo-Saxon inscription from Kirkdale church in Yorkshire) was presented to Professor Fell from friends and colleagues on the occasion of her sixtieth birthday and is fastened to the south wall of Highfield House. The inscription on the sundial reads (in translation): 'This is the day's sun-marker at every hour. And Haward made me, and Brand the priest.' Kirkdale is close to Slingsby in North Yorkshire, where Professor Fell had a house, and she regularly took students and colleagues on study-trips in the area - many current Old English and Old Norse scholars have fond memories of such trips. Professor Fell's family donated the sundial to The University of Nottingham after her death.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know a little more about the Celts, Scandanavians, Slavs, and Germans who populated northern Europe in the years from 400 to 1100 AD, but I bet there's more that's come to light since the book was assembled 35+ years ago. Great illustrations helped to illustrate the story. I wonder if there's anything more recent written for a general audience.