Osprey Warrior 50 : Pictish Warrior 297-841 AD

First mentioned by name in 297 AD, the Picts inhabited Northern Britain from the end of the 3rd century AD to the 9th. They rose to power in the devastation following Emperor Septimus Severus's repression of the Caledonians in AD 208, and dominated Northern Britain for over 500 years, before vanishing mysteriously. The Picts represent a high point of Celtic civilisation, remaining free and unconquered beyond the borders of the Roman world, and rising to become the first barbarians to form a recognisable 'nation'. This book takes a detailed look at their origins, and examines Pictish heroic and warrior society, covering education and training, appearance and equipment, the status of women, and the experience of battle. Text by Paul Wagner with illustrations by Wayne Reynolds.

Contents

• Introduction
• Who were the Picts?
• The Pictish foundation
• Myth
• Chronology
• Pictish Heroic Society
• Matrilinear Succession
• Education and Training
• Pictish Warrior Bands
• Appearance and Equipment
• Arms and Armour
• Pictish Tattoos
• The Naked Pict
• Pictish Spirituality
• The Way of the Warrior
• The Hunt and the Feast
• The Experience of Battle
• The Raid
• The Pictish Army
• Preparation for Battle
• Battle is Joined
• Y Gododdin
• The Aftermath of Battle
• The Fall of the Picts
• The Remains of the Picts
• Glossary
• Selected Bibliography
• Colour Plate Commentary
• Index