Good summary of England before and after the Conquest, as well as a god biography of William the Conqueror. ( )

This excellent history of the Norman Conquest of England goes far beyond 1066. Marc Morris details the decades leading up to the eventful year of 1066, providing an explanation for how England came to be invaded several times over prior to the reign of Edward the Confessor and the complicated ties which developed between England and Normandy. In addition, the years after 1066 are covered as well, providing a narrative for how the Normans and English eventually came to terms with each other. This wide perspective places the events of 1066 in context and gave me a deeper understanding of what happened. Also, I appreciated the author's discussion of sources and the insights into which sources are considered more reliable. ( )

Extremely well-written, readable, and comprehensive, covering the entirety of the reigns of Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwineson, and William the Conqueror, as well as an extensive prologue and epilogue. Morris takes the Norman side on the key legal questions of whether Edward promised the Crown to William, and whether Harold in his turn pledged to support this claim, but I think the chronicle evidence supports this view. Certainly, neither the Confessor nor the Conqueror emerges from this account covered in glory, but the Godwine family bear the brunt of criticism - again, not unfairly. All in all, well worth reading for a detailed but not dusty overview of the Conquest and its aftermath. ( )

The Norman Conquest of England was a seminal event in world history. This non-fiction work examines not only the invasion by William the Conqueror in 1066, but the immediate past history of the British Isles, the changes brought about by the conquest, and the immediate and long-term ramifications thereof.

The sources of the period are scanty, not entirely reliable and frequently conflicting. The author explains this very well, setting out the inherent biases of the sources and suggesting the most likely course of events. Apart from the historical significance, it is an incredibly fascination story, some of which was unfamiliar to me.

If you enjoy history, I can heartily endorse this work. ( )

One fascinating, well-written book. Of course every educated person is aware of the significance of the date: 1066, but few know much about the human drama, cruelty, and suffering which ensued ... far beyond that fateful year. I have to confess that it was only a late recognition on my part that practically all the major participants in the affair are distant relatives ... that finally prompted me to purchase and read The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris.

It's one thing to read about anonymous people living a thousand years ago, but discovering that Norwegian King Harold Hardradde, evidently my 25th Great Grandfather, was killed at Stamford Bridge by King Harold Godwineson ... another 25th Great Grandfather from another branch of the same family (my paternal Grandfather) ... and that he in turn was apparently brutally killed at the Battle of Hastings by the forces of William the Conqueror ... a Great Uncle through my paternal Grandmother's family, truly makes the entire scenario a family affair. A person would have to be an unfeeling cad to pretend he isn't affected above and beyond the norm by the brutality of those events, and the suffering of distant member of his own family.

We read of William's brutal "Harrying of the North" almost as though they were akin to the passing of a storm, but in truth the consequences were not unlike events occurring during WWII, when entire communities were made to suffer, however innocent they were of the actions of others. The Norman Conquest was a barbarous affair ... the result of an overly ambitious, egotistical, self-centered individual who believed he had a right to rule over everyone else. Truth is .... others ... Harold Hardradde, Godwineson, indeed, William's own sons, seemed to believe the same things about themselves.

The consequences for most people of the Conquest went far beyond the simple matter of language, and it took at least 150 years before England began to absorb the Norman assault, which in truth was nothing more than a family quarrel gone wrong.