Wessex the ensuing Norman Conquest of England, and as the Norman kings soon did away with the great earldoms of the late Anglo-Saxon period, 1066 marks the extinction of Wessex as a political unit. From the second edition (1989) of the "Oxford English Dictionary": Wessex 1. The name of a kingdom in south-west England in Anglo-Saxon times, used by Thomas Hardy as the name of the county in which his stories are set (corresponding approximately to Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire) and since used as a name for south-west England or this part of it. Wessex is often symbolised by a
Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set before 1286 Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set before 1286 Nigel Tranter is a Scottish author who wrote many novels based on actual historical events and characters. This page includes those of his books set in Scotland from earliest times until the death of Alexander III in 1286. For other historical novels by Nigel Tranter see Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set between 1286 and 1603 or Historical novels by Nigel Tranter set after 1603 For other books by Nigel Tranter see here. "First published in 1993 by Hodder & Stoughton. Paperback edition 1993." Set during the period AD 518–543, the book