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William I (Penguin Monarchs)

by Marc Morris Book 22 in the Penguin Monarchs series.

First published 2016

Amazon
2.5(5)

Marc Morris presents William the Conqueror as both a formidable medieval ruler and the architect of a political transformation unprecedented in English history. The biography follows William’s insecure childhood in Normandy, his consolidation of ducal authority, his disputed claim to the English throne and the preparations that culminated in victory over Harold Godwinson at Hastings in 1066.

The conquest did not end with one battle. Morris traces rebellion, Danish intervention, the Harrying of the North, castle-building, wholesale redistribution of land and the replacement of England’s governing elite. He also considers William’s partnership with Matilda of Flanders, his difficult sons, the Domesday survey and the strains of ruling territories on both sides of the Channel. The result is a compact account of how violence, administration and dynastic ambition remade England.

Historical Periods

Battle of Hastings1066 CE Harrying of the North1069–1070 CE Rise of Normandy and the Duchy of Normandy911–1066

Genres

Biographical Fiction Court & Political Fiction Dynastic & Royal Fiction War Fiction

Historical people

William the Conqueror1028–1087 Matilda of Flanders1031–1083 Harold Godwinson1022–1066 Edgar Æthelingc. 1052–after 1125

Series reading order

Books in the Penguin Monarchs series

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