This important new study describes the development of the society and landscape of Oxfordshire from the Anglo-Saxon settlement to the early twelfth century. Before the formation of the shire in around 1000 AD, the area was on the borderland between Wessex and Mercia, and therefore played an important part in the conflict for supremacy between the two kingdoms from the seventh to the ninth centuries.

In the eleventh century Oxford was one of the most important English provincial towns, and was of considerable political and economic significance. The book draws heavily on the wealth of recently discovered archaeological material, especially in the Thames Valley, and incorporates the latest work on place-names, charter boundaries, tribal groupings and ecclesiastical organization. A short final chapter describes the Norman impact on the city and county.

The book is profusely illustrated with over a hundred photographs, drawings and plans.