Dark Age Naval Power: A Reassessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Seafaring Activity

Rating:
Summary: The origins of Germanic tribal naval power and more.
Review: John Haywood has brought a wide range of resources together to show the development of Germanic naval power from c.200 BCE through the 9th century. While most of his emphasis is on the Saxon and Frankish pirates in the North Sea, Haywood also provides information on early Germanic ships and their evolution.

Dark Ages is extensively footnoted and indexed. Included are maps and several drawings.

Information on early Continental tribes not found elsewhere in English helps make this a valuable text to anyone interested in the history of the Saxons and the Frankish tribes as well as pre-Viking raiders and ship building.

This revision of Haywood's earlier work is by far the best and most comprehensive review of the subject I have found.