A Journey Through the Dark Isles of Britain and Ireland
Simon Young
ISBN-13: 978-0753819463

AD 500 is written as a practical survival guide for the use of civilised visitors to the barbaric islands of Britain and Ireland. It describes a journey which begins in Cornwall and continues through Wales and Ireland, then across to Scotland and eventually down to London and southern Britain.
The Romans have left, and the islands are now fought over by Irish, British Celts, Picts and Saxons. It is a dangerous world, full of tribal war. The British Celts are enthusiastic head-hunters, while the Saxon gods require regular blood sacrifices, animal and sometimes human. There are social pitfals too (`Do not make fun of the Celts' beliefs about Arthur'...'Don't refuse a place in a Welsh collective bed.') Cheviot bandits, bizarre forms of Christianity, boat burials, peculiar haircuts,  poetry competitions,  the legend of King Arthur - these are the realities of life in the sixth century AD.From Tintagel and tin-mining to saints and slave markets, from alcohol  to beavers - here are the realities of life in the sixth century AD Based on archaelogical and historical evidence,
A excellent read thats gives an good insight into the early Saxon world. (and why finds from the period can be scarce)