jjares reviewed The Norman Conquest: A Captivating Guide to the Normans and the Invasion of England by William the Conqueror, Including Events Such as the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings on + 3299 more book reviews
This is a clear presentation of the important characters, prior, during, and after the Norman Conquest. Before this book, I vaguely knew what happened in England in 1066. However, the story is far more complicated than I dreamed.
England was invaded frequently:
1) Romans (Eventually, they left),
2) Vikings (They tended to raid and leave), They only sought wealth, not land.
3) Anglo-Saxons (Germanic tribes). They stayed and ruled.
4) the Danes (Germanic tribe that invaded East Anglia and Northumbria). Defeated by Alfred the Great of Wessex. Also King of the Anglo-Saxons.
What I didn't understand before reading this book, is that there were three people fighting over England in 1066. King Harold II (a Saxon) replaced Edward the Confessor (also a Saxon) in 1066. King Harald of Norway (a Viking) fought King Harold II (the ruler of England) in September 1066. Harold II killed King Harald of Norway plus his own brother, Tostig (who fought against his brother, Harold II). At that time, when a leader was killed, the soldiers removed themselves from the battlefield because they no longer had a reason to fight.
Less than a month later, William I (a Norman), fought for the kingship of England against (the current) King Harold II (a Saxon). During the Battle of Hastings, Harold II died in battle, along with two of his brothers and many of his nobles. Although their leader was dead, the Anglo-Saxons were not happy with their new king. The only way he could subdue them was with a scorched-earth policy that destroyed everything the Anglo-Saxons owned.
Bless the author for enclosing maps of the areas being discussed; they often make the difference between understanding and being at a loss. The author also included an illuminating explanation of exactly what The Domesday Book was. The bibliography is great.
England was invaded frequently:
1) Romans (Eventually, they left),
2) Vikings (They tended to raid and leave), They only sought wealth, not land.
3) Anglo-Saxons (Germanic tribes). They stayed and ruled.
4) the Danes (Germanic tribe that invaded East Anglia and Northumbria). Defeated by Alfred the Great of Wessex. Also King of the Anglo-Saxons.
What I didn't understand before reading this book, is that there were three people fighting over England in 1066. King Harold II (a Saxon) replaced Edward the Confessor (also a Saxon) in 1066. King Harald of Norway (a Viking) fought King Harold II (the ruler of England) in September 1066. Harold II killed King Harald of Norway plus his own brother, Tostig (who fought against his brother, Harold II). At that time, when a leader was killed, the soldiers removed themselves from the battlefield because they no longer had a reason to fight.
Less than a month later, William I (a Norman), fought for the kingship of England against (the current) King Harold II (a Saxon). During the Battle of Hastings, Harold II died in battle, along with two of his brothers and many of his nobles. Although their leader was dead, the Anglo-Saxons were not happy with their new king. The only way he could subdue them was with a scorched-earth policy that destroyed everything the Anglo-Saxons owned.
Bless the author for enclosing maps of the areas being discussed; they often make the difference between understanding and being at a loss. The author also included an illuminating explanation of exactly what The Domesday Book was. The bibliography is great.
