Anglo-Saxon aptitudes
From Mr Ian Lawrence Sir: Peregrine Worsthorne describes Anglo-Saxon England before the Norman conquest as 'rude and unpolished' (As I was saying, 10 July). This is simply not true. Anglo-Saxon England was one of the wealthiest, most efficient and culturally rich states in Western Europe. That was why William of Normandy, apart from an instinctive rapacity, was so keen to get his hands on the place. How else was he able to finance his territorial ambitions in northern France, and why did he essentially go on using England's existing administrative sys- tem? Finally, why was arguably the greatest surviving Norman artistic endeavour The Bayeux Tapestry — executed by Anglo-Saxon artisans?
Ian Lawrence
22 Maytree Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh, Hants
Previous page
