The Mercian Chronicles

The eighth century in British history, often overlooked, was crucial for the rise of Mercia as a powerful kingdom before Wessex's dominance. Key figures, Kings Æthelbald and Offa, shaped this era by establishing political authority, enhancing trade networks, and fostering cultural ties with the Continent. Their reigns saw the emergence of significant place names and the development of a coordinated defense system. Max Adams explores the intricate relationships between kingship, landholding, and the church, revealing the foundational changes that influenced medieval England's geography and politics.