This volume investigates the transition from Roman Britain to the emergence of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, questioning the extent of continuity between these two distinct historical eras. J. N. L. Myres, a distinguished historian and archaeologist, utilizes decades of research to re-evaluate the post-Roman period. By synthesizing linguistic evidence and archaeological findings, he challenges older narratives of total collapse and suggests a more nuanced political and social evolution during the fifth through seventh centuries.

Historians and scholars frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to the Oxford History of England series, noting its role in updating earlier interpretations of the period. Readers often highlight the author's ability to bridge the gap between archaeological evidence and historical narrative, making it a standard reference for the study of early medieval Britain.