The Western Kingdom

The first book to deal with the facts about the Early Medieval kingdom that inspired Arthurian legend. Cornwall has long held a mysterious allure to visitors. At once part of England and yet utterly foreign too. This book is the first to explore the true origins, free from Arthurian mythology, of this dichotomy. Just how did a kingdom of native Romano-Britons hold out against the expanding power of the Saxon Kings of Wessex and eventually secure their language, culture and heritage into the modern day? The answer is a tale that combines brutal warfare with cunning diplomacy and trade as it winds from the 4th century to 1066 and beyond, and one that shouts from the distant past 'Kernow bys Vyken' – Cornwall Forever. AUTHOR: John Fletcher has been an Early Medieval reenactor for sixteen years, with much of that being focused on recreating life in 8th-11th century Cornwall and Devon. He runs the Facebook page 'Morvleydh', and gives talks on the emergence of the Cornish state. He has a Bsc in Environmental Sciences and focussed his dissertation on how climate change impacted Early Medieval settlement on Dartmoor.

"Fletcher brings together numerous historical sources and his own interpretation to create a fresh picture of Cornwall during the Dark Ages, recognising and reinstating its position as a self-governing nation during Post Roman and Early Medieval Britain."

"With 'The Western Kingdom', Fletcher reviews the known sources which provide evidence for early mediaeval Cornwall and challenges the usual assumption that it's primary focus was on events on its eastern border. Instead he presents a case for Cornwall emerging from the post-Roman period as a westward and Mediterranean facing dynamic polity that maintained its centuries - old connections to the wider world. An interesting and useful addition to the field of early mediaeval studies."

JOHN FLETCHER has been an Early Medieval reenactor for sixteen years, with much of that being focused on recreating life in 8th-11th century Cornwall and Devon. He runs the Facebook page 'Morvleydh', and gives talks on the emergence of the Cornish state. He has a BSc in Environmental Sciences and focussed his dissertation on how climate change impacted Early Medieval settlement on Dartmoor.

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