Published 1799-1805, this four-volume work was a benchmark in Anglo-Saxon studies, drawing on manuscripts in the British Museum.

Preface; Part I: 1 The origin of the Saxons; 2. Description of the country inhabited by the Saxons; 3. Circumstances favourable to the increase of the Saxon power; 4. The application of the Saxons to maritime expeditions; 5. The league of the Saxons with other states; 6. Their general character; 7. Sequel to their history to the period of the English invasion; 8. The history of Britain from the death of Maximus in 388 to the arrival of the Saxons in 449; 9. The period between the departure of the Romans and the invasion of the Saxons; Part II: 1. The arrival of Hengist; 2. The peoples that established themselves in Britain; 3. On the existing works of the British bards; 4. The conflicts between the Britons and the Anglo-Saxons; 5. Arthur, as he appears in tradition; 6. The history of the Anglo-Saxon octarchy to the victory of Oswald over Cadwallon; 7. Continuation of the history of the octarchy to the death of Ina; 8. The history of the octarchy from the death of Ina to the ascension of Egbert; 9. A view of the state of Europe at the accession of Egbert; 10. The reign of Egbert.