MadeGlobal's History in a Nutshell Series aims to give readers a good grounding in a historical topic in a concise, easily digestible and easily accessible way.
In 1066 & The Battle of Hastings in a Nutshell, Charlie Fenton discusses one of the most important events in English history. Many recall the story of William the Conqueror sailing over from Normandy, going to battle with King Harold and the latter supposedly dying of an arrow to the eye. However, few know the details of why the battle happened and how Harold really lost his life, and even fewer know what happened afterwards, during the early reign of William the Conqueror.
Author Interview
What makes 1066 & The Battle of Hastings special?
Many books on Britain and the Middle Ages only briefly cover the story of the Battle of Hastings as part of the wider context of the history of England in general, others that do focus on 1066 are academic works and are difficult to read. 1066 & The Battle of Hastings in a Nutshell gives the facts of the subject in simple terms, making it easy enough for the average history enthusiast, wherever they live in the world, to enjoy.
Who was Harold Godwinson?
Harold was the son of Godwin, a man who had risen to power during the rule of Canute, and thus his family controlled a large part of England, with Harold’s share being mainly in the South East. This medieval king is known for having lost his eye in the Battle of Hastings, yet lesser-known facts about his life include him possibly having two wives, his feud with his brother Tostig, and the way he fought his wars, with his epic march through Britain to Stamford Bridge to defeat Harald Hardrada before marching back down to meet William at Hastings.
Who was William the Conqueror?
Few really know the details of William the Conqueror. William was the illegitimate son and sole heir of the Duke of Normandy, which he inherited as a child. He was distantly related to Edward the Confessor through marriage and it is suggested that he was promised the English throne by him, resulting in the tumultuous upheaval of 1066 and leading to war at the Battle of Hastings. William's defeat of Harold, and his taking the throne changed the English people forever; their culture, laws, everyday life and even language throughout Britain were forever altered by the new Norman king.
Why should readers give your British history book a try?
Many people know a little about the Middle Ages and the year 1066 - that it brought the Norman kings to Britain, but they do not know just how eventful that year was. The Battle of Hastings aside, three kings were on the throne during this one year, two kings died and three battles ensued (Fulford, Stamford Bridge and Hastings). This book explores this important year in detail, including background about what led to these world-changing events and the major implications they had for Medieval England.
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About the Author
Charlie Fenton is currently studying history at the University of Kent, where she specialises in Medieval and Early Modern History. She is also the author of Perseverance: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. She runs the blog Through the Eyes of Anne Boleyn and is well known to members of the Tudor Society as the regular book reviewer. She regularly writes for Tudor Life magazine. You can find Charlie on Facebook and Twitter @CharlieFenton2.
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