{"product_id":"the-lords-of-battle-9780851156620","title":"The Lords of Battle","description":"\u003cb\u003eFirst study of the Dark Age \u003ci\u003ecomitatus\u003c\/i\u003e, or warband, drawing evidence from literary and historical sources.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Lords of Battle\u003c\/i\u003e examines the image of the \u003ci\u003ecomitatus\u003c\/i\u003e, or warband, as it is portrayed in literary and historical sources from Britain's early medieval period, attempting to determine the extent to which it reflectsan historical reality. Through an extensive use of a variety of source material, literary, historical, and archaeological, the book investigates both the structure of the warband, and the practices and institutions which supported it.\u003cbr\u003e After a review of the historical background of Dark Age Britain, Stephen Evans explores the practical characteristics of the \u003ci\u003ecomitatus\u003c\/i\u003e: its military organisation; its internal social structure and its place within society as a whole; and the lord-retainer relationship, its duties and obligations. He also examines the cultural, social, and economic institutions which produced and supported the warband. Overall, the study provides a numberof insights into the ideals and practices of Britain's Celtic and Anglo-Saxon warrior-élites during a turbulent period.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  Dr STEPHEN EVANS gained his PhD from Temple University.","brand":"Stephen S. Evans","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48280793186555,"sku":"9780851156620","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/3917\/9771\/files\/9780851156620_976ddfb4-61a0-486d-aab0-898dd7f92197.jpg?v=1772483112","url":"https:\/\/indiepubs.com\/products\/the-lords-of-battle-9780851156620","provider":"IndiePubs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}