From Roman times to the eighteenth century, the South West of England was an example of the importance of matters of security and defence to a local society easily threatened by external and internal conflicts and tensions. These studies provide a series of vignettes illustrating perennial and enduring problems in the history of the British Isles.
From Roman times down to the eighteenth century, the South West of England comprised a striking example of the importance of matters of security and defence to a local society easily threatened by external enemies and by internal conflicts and tensions. These studies provide a fascinating series of vignettes illustrating perennial and enduring problems in the history of the British Isles.
Robert Higham is Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Exeter. His research interests cover two broad topics relating to the medieval period: the general theme of defence, in both its military and social aspects, and the medieval archaeology of South West England. He has directed a number of excavations and published several books. He has particular interests in the interplay between archaeological and historical data in the medieval period. Specific areas of research include urban defence, the archaeology, social and settlement history of castles and castle-building society, and the settlement history of Greater Exmoor.