The Norman Conquest

by Marc Morris

An epic tale, with violence at its heart, and a triumph of narrative history.
 
The Norman Conquest starts with the most decisive battle in English history and continues with dramatic rebellions and their ruthless suppression, eventually resulting in the creation of the English nation. The repercussions of the Conquest are with us still.
 
The book begins with the Saxon kings, specifically Edward the Confessor, and shows how England was in constant conflict as the English fell prey to both Vikings and Normans. In the north, King Harold destroys his Viking namesake at the battle of Stamford Bridge but immediately has to hurry south to confront William of Normandy at Hastings. His defeat, and the destruction of the Anglo-Saxon warrior caste, leads inexorably to William's forceful occupation of an unwilling country, and this is the ruthless story Marc Morris tells. It is a drama crammed with intrigue, bloodshed and betrayal, featuring vivid, almost deranged Edward the Confessor, who spurns his queen in their marriage bed to spite her family, even though it spells the end of his own dynasty; the heroic King Harold, the hero of Stamford Bridge and the last Saxon king, who perjures himself, betrays his brother and puts aside his wife in his bid for the throne; William the Bastard, later known as the Conqueror, who assembles the mightiest invasion fleet in the middle ages and after unexpected success almost destroys the country he has won.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval, Medieval History, British Literature, European History, War

464 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 2012

About the author

Marc Morris, PhD, is an historian and broadcaster, specializing in the Middle Ages. An expert on medieval monarchy and aristocracy, Marc has written numerous articles for History Today, BBC History Magazine and Heritage Today; he speaks regularly to schools, historical societies, and literary festivals, and also leads specialist tours of UK castles. He is a fellow of the Royal Historical Society and lives in England.

Reviews

[Rick Riordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was both fascinating and difficult. The Norman Conquest was such a pivotal turning point in history, I wanted to try to understand how it happened. Morris does an excellent job sifting through the sources and trying to make sense of all sides of the drama. Unfortunately, as Morris points out, our sources are slim and biased. You can’t get a very good sense of the major players as living people. We can only speculate on their motives and feelings. We can’t even be sure what happened or when. For these reasons, I’d only recommend the subject matter if you have a deep and abiding geek obsession with history, as I do. But if you want to know about the Norman Conquest of Britain, this is the most accessible book I’ve found.

[Jeffrey Keeten · Rating 5 out of 5]

”I have taken England with both my hands.”

Remark after William of Normandy stepped off his ship on the coast of England and fell into the sand (28 September, 1066)


William the Conqueror

1066 is a meaningful date in history that should resonate with most people from their school days. It is, of course, the date of the last successful invasion of England. To call it an invasion might be a bit misleading. Approximately 7,000 Normans and a contingent of currish, opportunistic mercenaries from all over Europe with a penchant for rape and mayhem descended on England with the intention of staying...forever.

Well, at least until the spoils of war are racked, stacked, and carted back to Normandy.


King Harold

Harold Godwinesson is king of England. In his haste to be coronated, he may have been chased up the church stairs by the last breath of his predecessor, Edward the Confessor. I really enjoy the way that Marc Morris explains the political maneuverings of the Godwine family and their relationship to a series of unsettled kings of England. While the senior Godwin is alive, one could not be king of England without a nod from the Godwines. They may have been at their best being King Makers, but due to the uncertain circumstances surrounding the secession upon Edward’s death, Harold is the best option, who also has the advantage of living in England. Edward has married Harold’s sister, but spawns no children, by most accounts because he is too pious to sleep with her. It is a marriage that has been thrust upon him, which would have put a Godwine on the throne if only Edward would have cooperated with a bit of beastly tango between the sheets.

That doesn’t work, so the next option is to just take the throne.

Harald Sigurdsson of Norway asserts that he had a deal with a past king of England to be king upon the death of Edward. William of Normandy asserts that Edward had promised him the throne and that Harold Godwinesson had sworn an oath to uphold his right to the throne.

These weak cases are made by strong, dangerous leaders which might have been the reason Harold is in such a hurry to get the coronation done.


Edward the Confessor

Edward has more reasons to despise the Godwine family beyond their wealth, influence with the nobles, and their ability to push him around. Godwin, Harold’s father, had blinded and killed Edward’s brother, Alfred. It was one of the many power struggles for the crown between the descendents of King Cnut. Godwin had picked a side, and Alfred had become a nuisance. One of those dirty jobs a noble might perform to curry favor and influence with the man in power. After all, Godwin knew where the bodies are buried.

The politics in Normandy are no less gory or murky. Frankly, it is a bloody miracle that William lived long enough to ever conceive a conquest of England. There are mafia style hits between the aristocracy of Normandy that create bloody feuds that, at times, splash a bit of blood on the hem of William’s tunic. His life is almost constantly in danger. He also has serious problems with Flanders and France, both of which would have preferred a weaker duke on the throne of Normandy.

Needless to say, he learns to be ruthless, conniving, and controlling by the time he decides to invade England. He also proves himself a successful leader of men in battle. He must have borne a commanding presence because he manages to convince men to make the trip across the water to help him achieve goals that are not necessarily strategically sound.

The providence of the fates helps him immensely. Just before William launches his invasion, Harald Sigurdsson of Norway lands on English soil first. Harold, barely out of his coronation robes, finds himself having to meet a large force of Vikings, led personally by Sigurdsson and by Harold’s brother Tostig. There are many Godwinesson brothers; some might say too many, and for political reasons Harold has not supported Tostig on a land claim with Edward. The falling out results in this family civil war that could have ramifications on all of England.

Harold wins the Battle of Stamford Bridge. He barely has time to hoist a few beers in celebration before he has to march his army to face William of Normandy.

Now the interesting thing about the Battle of Hastings is that Harold does not need to win this battle. All he has to do is survive it. William needs to win this battle, or all hope of conquering the kingdom of England and making it his own will be dashed upon the cliffs of Dover. As long as Harold is alive, he is the king of England and can rally more troops and fight however many battles he needs to push the Normans out of England.

The problem is, according the Bayeux Tapestry, Harold catches an arrow in the eye that proves fatal. Other sources say that William, with a contingent of knights, rides him down and cuts him to pieces. Regardless of how he dies, the cold hard fact is that he dies and leaves England in the hands of the Conqueror.


Harold is the chap clutching the arrow stuck in his eye.

Some of the Normans come to stay, finding the gifts of land too enticing to return to Normandy. Others take what spoils they can carry off with them and quickly return to Normandy. Others beg William to be allowed to return to their homes in Normandy. They are afraid that it is only a matter of time before they catch an Anglo-Saxon arrow in the back or a piece of sharpened steel in the belly. The Normans deal with constant upheaval and revolution, and they handle those manners very severely, by razing the countryside, killing, and maiming the population in horrific, creative ways. They want to squelch rebellion and make sure it can’t spark again from the same region.

Frankly, they probably need to be this way to have any hope of keeping England under the control of Normans.

The baffling thing for me is that England never really unites under a strong leader. One just never emerges. If someone had been charismatic and determined enough to step into Harold’s shoes and rally the Anglo-Saxons, William’s victory at Hastings might have proved a short lived one.

Marc Morris researches all the sources of all the writers who wrote about this period. He weighs their biases, tosses aside the obvious hyperbole, and wiggles the truth, as best he can, from what is left. This era of English history is fascinating, and Morris pumps blood, gristle, and bone into the characters populating these stories, making them live and breath so convincingly that I frequently thought I’d fallen through a wormhole into the 11th century.

I’ve always had a soft spot for Harold and found William to be too brutish to be likeable, but after reading this book, I have a better understanding of why things happened the way they did and developed a grudging respect for William the Conqueror, despite the grisly tactics he employed to maintain power. He had an eye on the future, and it is hard to know if England would have ever become England if she hadn’t been invaded by not only Normans but the ideas they brought with them.

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[Berengaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars and a sharp arrow for King Harold

short review for busy readers:
A detailed, but still highly readable, history of pre-to-post Conquest. Events in both England and Normandy (and a bit in Scandinavia) are covered to give a 360 on those crucial years. Often more Normandy than England.

in detail:
This is the 2nd Marc Morris I've read and I found it far and away more readable than his The Anglo-Saxons: A History of the Beginnings of England, 400–1066 which can be seen as a companion tome.

It's also a lot less boring than that one, but that could be due to the dynamic, non-stop action of 1050 to the mid 1080s and the fact the Norman churchmen were far from saints.

The chapter dealing with the actual Battle of Hastings was the only place where I felt the text went way too much into the details for too long. The rest of the book generally strikes a good balance between scholarly debate (he acknowledges when scholars don't agree), personal interpretation/speculation, historical details, and lively anecdotes.

I very much enjoyed the later chapters on the Domesday Survey and the distinctly different reasons for the Survey and the Book, as well as the overall effects of the Conquest on the English nation. They aren't nearly as awful as patriotic historians have made out, although they were sweeping.

And some Norman laws - like the abolishing of slavery and the slave trade - were actually extremely progressive.

Among several interesting tidbits, it seems that the school book "fact" that Harold Godwinson was killed at Hastings by an arrow through the eye (as depicted on the Bayeux tapestry) may not be historically accurate, but rather reference a Bible story of an oath-breaker being blinded. Ha, take that Godwinson!

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember the Date

Let me start by saying this book is very, very, good. So if you want to leave now you can knowing you should read this book. I’ve recently started to get back into reading Medieval history, my usual haunt is Napoleonic and early 19th Century. Here Marc Morris delivers a fascinating read, of one of the most transformative events in British history, which I could not put down. This in a time where I am moving house, have exams to study for and a copious amount of work to do in my line of employment.

Morris presents the conquest in a neutral way, explaining why it is wrong to pick as side and this helps understand what is going on, releasing the shackles of any underlying agenda. He begins by setting the stage for the Norman invasion, detailing the complex web of alliances, betrayals, and claims to the English throne that led to the fateful year of 1066. His portrayal of the key figures, William, Duke of Normandy (as he was known to contemporaries, to us ‘The Conquerer’), Harold Godwinson, and the other claimants to the throne is particularly well done. He presents them not as distant historical figures, but as real people with ambitions, fears, and flaws. William emerges as a formidable and determined leader, while Harold is depicted as a capable, yet ultimately tragic, figure whose fate was sealed by the crushing defeat at Hastings.

The analysis is second to none, the explanation of the times and expectations of people and the most likely reasons for why things happened. The sources are explained which helps to pick apart the fact from fiction. These include contemporary chronicles, archaeological findings, and later historical interpretations, to provide a comprehensive picture of the events surrounding the conquest. His detailed descriptions of the Battle of Hastings are especially noteworthy, capturing the chaos, violence, and high stakes of the conflict. Morris does not merely recount the battle as a series of maneuvers and tactics; he also delves into the psychological and emotional experiences of those involved, offering readers a visceral sense of what it might have been like to fight on that bloody field.

Beyond the battle itself, there is an in-depth analysis of the broader implications of Norman rule on England. Morris explores the profound changes that followed in the wake of 1066, including the transformation of English society, the imposition of feudalism, and the lasting impact on the English language and culture. He carefully balances the narrative by considering both the Norman perspective and the experiences of the Anglo-Saxons, whose way of life was dramatically altered by the invasion. Morris also challenges some traditional views of the conquest, particularly the idea that it was a clear cut, inevitable victory for the Normans. He highlights the resistance and rebellions that William faced in the years following his victory, showing that the conquest was a complex and prolonged process rather than a single decisive event.

The writing is lively and engaging, with Morris employing a clear, conversational style that makes complex historical events easy to follow. His ability to explain military strategies, political dynamics, and cultural shifts without overwhelming the reader with technical jargon is commendable. The book is well-paced, keeping readers hooked from the build-up to Hastings through to the consolidation of Norman rule. However, while Morris’s narrative is comprehensive, some readers might find that certain aspects of the conquest receive less attention than they deserve. For instance, while the book covers the political and military aspects of the conquest in detail, there is slightly less focus on the social and economic consequences for the lower classes of England. Additionally, those looking for a deep dive into the more obscure details of Norman administration or the intricacies of medieval law might find the book a bit broad-brushed in places.

Overall, The Norman Conquest is an excellent introduction to one of the most pivotal events in British history. It is well-researched, thoughtfully written, and full of insights that help illuminate the significance of 1066, the Norman invasion and its moulding of the England we know today. It’s that good I’ve started reading his Anglo Saxons book which really is not my era! I need more Marc Morris in my life.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in elementary school, I recall looking at an illustrated history book and seeing a picture of William the Conqueror. In the picture he was riding through an English town (London?) with his pointy steel cap, short red beard and grim face, broad shouldered as a linebacker. He had just won a battle, and Harold (I didn't even know Harold was a king), dead at Hastings with an arrow through his eye. I vaguely remember not liking William too much, and that Harold was kind of an unlucky good guy. I confess, to this day I don’t know much about the battle of Hastings (actually no one does), and the events surrounding it, beyond those early impressions.

Well, that has now changed. For example, Harold was hardly a “good guy.” His family, the Godwinsons, was a grasping, often vicious bunch that had been holding the previous king, Edward the Confessor, as practically a hostage-king. But Edward (future saint) was no fool, and he briefly was able to kick the Godwinsons out of power. During this window of time, Edward (it is speculated) made his offer of the throne to William. Actually, as histories go, this particular book contains a huge amount of authorial speculation. However Morris is up front about it. Early on he concedes, as something of a warning, that the sources historians have to draw on can fit onto a short book shelf. In this case, Morris relies on the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a few other histories that can probably seen as partly pro-Norman propaganda, and, of course, that marvelous piece of art, the Bayeux Tapestry (itself a piece of propaganda). As a result, Morris is often forced to speculate about what was going on. That said, Morris does his best to guide you through the events that led to William’s invasion of England – which in itself, given the state of warfare at that time, was a highly unusual, and risky gamble. It could have failed. It should have failed. But Harold was racing up and down England trying to stave off other threats to his new kingship, so that by the time he met William in battle, his troops were exhausted. Even then, the battle was a close thing. By the way, the arrow in the eye bit may not have happened. That story, quite possibly, may have been circulated to downplay the fact that Harold’s body was mutilated.

The question of how Harold died touches on larger things. At the time of Harold’s death, Chivalry was gaining on the continent. The contrast between the English (blood feuds) and the Normans (mercy?) is stark. Time and again, given the repeated rebellions and betrayals by the same people, I kept wondering why William just didn't start cutting off heads? But in Chivalry, appearances matter. And in William’s case, in trying to subdue a foreign country, appearances were necessary for any eventual assimilation. Oh, William was capable of great brutality (eye gouging, hands and feet hacked off, artificial famines that killed thousands), but he always seemed reluctant to actually execute the leaders of the various rebellions. Also, wrapped up in this story, is that it coincides with the reform movement in the Catholic Church, as well as the waning of the Danish (Vikings!) threat. William was a tough soldier, but he was also fortunate due to the breaks of history. Morris juggles all of this wonderfully, at least until the end, when he discusses the Domesday Book. A necessary discussion, I know, but boring as hell given the contrasting drama of the preceding chapters. Nevertheless, I came away from this book with a greater understanding of what makes the English English.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have, as yet, not managed to find a decent account of the Norman invasion that was both well written and informative. Morris has done an excellent job of both counts. The wonderful thing about this book is that there is a narrative thread, a real sense of an unfolding story. And having not really considered the politics of the period since I was a child, Morris managed to explain everything at a sensible pace without ever making me feel out of my depth in such unfamiliar territory. And the conquest IS unfamiliar territory, because nearly all of what I thought I knew is wrong. One by one Morris takes each lazily accepted `fact' and dissects it down to bare bone before fleshing it back out into something that makes far more sense and more readily understandable. It's commendable that Morris deliberately set out to write a book for a general readership rather than medievalists with a clutch of doctorates. It was such a pleasure reading this book. There was a lightbulb moment on practically every page. I had assumed that the Normans were violent bullies crushing an unsophisticated bunch of weedy Anglo-saxons to a bloody pulp, hanging around like a bad smell and treating the conquered like slaves. However, I was wrong. If there was only one book explaining the significance of the `greatest event in English history,' I'd be recommending this one with passionate ardour. I may even become a born again medievalist! I'll certainly be ignoring my ancient myths and 17th century whores for a while. A trip to Hastings and various other locations mentioned by Morris are already being planned and I'll be taking my well thumbed copy along.

[Chris D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this book my wife asked me what it was about. I said The Norman Conquest and it is. This is a thorough look at the Norman Conquest with what came before and continuing the story into the 12th century. I found the book compelling and even though at times the names were tough to keep straight Morris does a fine job juggling all the actors and actresses in this very interesting era of British history.

The subtitle to this book is the Fall of Anglo-Saxon England and Morris does a good job chronicling the events leading up to this conclusion with especially concentrating on the Scandinavian attempts to seize the throne of England. Having only a rudimentary knowledge of this period this is a valuable one volume examination of 11th and 12th century of not only England but Western Europe as well. Highly recommended.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Norman Conquest of 1066 was probably one of the most brutal colonisation of a Christian land by another Christian Country ever to have happened, or at least for several hundred years afterwards. Marc Morris chronicles the years leading up to 1066, putting character onto the various important figures involved during the late tenth and early eleventh Centuries. This includes trying to give insight into what was socially occurring in England prior to the invasion and what had gone before. Also, a good historical analyses of the the Normans and their history prior to Williams crowning. I guess we all know that the term 'Norman' means 'Norsemen', denoting the fact that they were a Scandinavian tribe who were allowed to settle in Northern France. Maybe the whole conquest thing that occurred in 1066 really was like a back door invasion (orchestrated by ex-Vikings), defeating the Anglo-Saxons once and for all, destroying what King Alfred and the Danelaw had tried to achieve for the past few hundred years in Britain, mainly a peace. All the main characters are here; William the Bastard (for being born out of wedlock and had quite a charmed existence to gain the Norman Throne); Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon Wessex King - he made some bad decisions as he had no direct inheritor for the English Throne which led to a very powerful noble family, the Godwinesons, to influence his court, most notably passing the Throne to Harold on his death bed (actually, no one is sure what Edward said as his death-throes were only witnessed by a select few), and so on. However, just like every source on 1066 and its aftermath, it is hard to actually find any balanced account; from the Bayeux Tapestry to all the Norman Bishops accounts of the conquest, we really have a history written by the victors. It is only sources such as the Anglo Saxon Chronicle and several English writers, writing about the history decades and longer afterwards, that try and rebalance the tale. It is no mean feat to be able to craft an historical narrative, trying to keep the history as balanced as you can with very few reliable non-partisan sources to go on.

However, I found Marc Morris achieves a remarkable, balanced narrative history using these sources. An immensely readable account, which as I stated, paints around the tale showing what the era prior in both Britain and France was socially and theologically like (the Pope supported Williams claim to the English Throne and invaded with his blessing). Also, the history of Hastings is written about and just how unlucky Harold was in being killed after his success of defeating the Norwegian King Hardrada only about a week before. Tragic in every way (there is also mention of 'the arrow in the eye' theory as well as Harold being sought out and ridden down - we will never know). I suppose everyone is familiar with the basic outlines of 1066, but a few facts are always dismissed from the main curriculum; one of these facts is the 'Harrying of the North', a rarely discussed topic that saw the Northern Anglo-Saxon Earls rebelling after the conquest. From around 1067 until 1070 or so, England was in a state of flux, a period whereby the last remaining 'retinue' of the now-vanquished Wessex line rebelled against the Normans for several years after. The rebellion were looking towards Scotland and Denmark for support, and whilst briefly they lent it, William managed to make a deal with both, thus loosing the rebels of their main hope. 'The Harrying of the North' saw William 'starve out' Northern England, until they submitted to his rule. Many died in what looks like an almost genocidal extermination. Also, William replaced nearly all the old English landowners, estates, manors, bishoprics et al with his French allies. By the time the rebellions were over, the old Anglo-Saxon aristocracy had been all but wiped out, eliminated from land-ownership by the Norman entourage of William. But Marc Morris also states that whilst these were horrific acts of asserting Williams authority, he also was on of the first to adopt a 'chivalric' code, hence he took leniency in several cases towards his opponents.

There is much more here in this history than I can put into a review without becoming too bogged down. Needless to say, it is a fantastic narrative history, containing some very obscure facts and written not too academically or dry. Also there is quite a large section on the Domesday Book that William inaugurated around 1086, which is a very valuable source of information, not only showing the devastation that was still occurring in the North and what the Harrying had done, but also showing the complete elimination of the old Anglo Saxon hierarchy. William needed money for both stationing mercenaries in England as well as the trouble he was facing in Normandy from the French King. To pay off the initial invasion force and garrisons of 1066, William raided the English Church and its land and relics to pay for his mercenaries he used to conquer. We have to wait another 500 years for the same to happen again under Henry VIII. I digress. The Domesday Book details all land in England and parts of Wales, the most full account of early medieval land ownership in Britain we have, quite an achievement. A good, balanced, readable, informative study of a very confusing and controversial period of British History. 5 stars for sorting out 'the chaff from the wheat.'

[Geevee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immensely enjoyable and informative book on one of England’s pivotal moments in history.

Mr Morris presents the events in a readable way that binds the characters, their place in England, Normandy and wider to the lead-up to invasion and the events in medieval Europe that influence strategies and actions. For those looking for a work on the actual battle this isn’t the book; although its coverage whilst brief – in terms of the book itself – provided good insight and detail into what happened or likely occurred.

What I liked was the author’s insight into the wider story of the conquest, both before and after, where he uses contemporary sources to inform, qualify and most interestingly articulate why a chronicler or source takes the view or interpretation they do. I found Mr Morris an informative and highly knowledgeable companion through this journey, who was able to add his own comment or suggestion to events or sources.

The period up to the conquest both in England and across the channel and North sea is complicated with many players, alliances and plans. Mr Morris steers a path that for this reader was easy to understand in terms of those many names and events that influenced politics, territorial claims and military actions. The reigns and actions of Cnut and Edward the Confessor were well covered and although, as the author states sources are not many, I hope he tackles these kings in a future book.

Once the invasion has taken place and the conquest is in full flow the book provides great insight into the resistance/rebellion and tactics the Normans used to quell, educate, build and tax their way to signal lordship. The building of castles and the advancement of new government and Normanisation is covered as the reader learns of the frequent calls on William’s time in Normandy and how and who managed the new kingdom in his absence. I was also intrigued to see that whilst the Normans were no gentle occupier they did not conduct political assassination nor undertake slavery; unlike the English who did both in spades.

As we approach the twilight of William’s life and reign we see how power was challenged, lost, regained and nominated (or not).

The invasion/conquest brings with it the Domesday book – and the author’s coverage and explanation is good indeed. It also kicks off the monarchical numbering that English/British kings and queens adopted thereafter and we all know (Edward I, Henry VIII, Charles I, George III, Elizabeth II etc), and instigates that direct line to Magna Carta and onwards (of which the author’s new book on King John should be an enjoyable read based on this offering).

I read the Windmill Books paperback edition (2013), which was beautifully illustrated with colour photos of tapestries, money, boats and buildings. This helped the story and the publisher deserves credit for this quality. There are also useful family/lineage trees to guide the reader through the connections by marriage and birth.

In summary this is a book that illuminates the key characters, brings you closer to the events they influenced or battled against and that led to England’s most important and influential invasion. It will whet your appetite for more.

[Sud666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Morris was educated at the excellent Kings College London and earned his Ph.D. from Oxford University. That superb education in British history is on display in this fine work about the Norman invasion.

Morris' book does a very difficult balance- it is, at once, a highly informative and detailed work showing great research, yet it also is an eminently readable book that never becomes dry or boring. It is a gift few historians have.

It starts, in the introduction, to analyze the Bayeux Tapestry and point out what a truly valuable resource it is for the documentation of the invasion. In fact, the Tapestry and the Domesday Book are likely the two best reference materials of the age for this dramatic time in English history.

The first part is a description of the turbulent period preceding the Conquest and explains how the Vikings helped to shape the political landscape during the 790 and on invasions. While Alfred the Great of Wessex (871-886 as Wessex King; 886-899 as King of Anglo-Saxons) was able to defeat the initial surge, later invasions would prove too much even for the united "angelcynn" (a term used to describe the collective English people, since Alfred was not only rex saxonum but also rex angul-saxonum and did coin the phrase Engla Land, Land of the Angles) peoples in later times. It did not help to have a King like Aethelred "The Unready". Pointing out things like "Unready" is a modern misreading and derives from the Old Enlgish word "unraed" meaning "ill-counseled" or "ill-advised" is part of the reason why I enjoyed this book so much. While never becoming overwhelming, the minutiae of this period are well explained and detailed. A good history book always should increase your knowledge on the subject matter and this is the case with this one.

Suffice to say Aethelred was no match for the later Viking invaders and had to flee to Normandy. This begins a series of events that will eventually lead to Edward the Confessor, his son, making a pact with William the Bastard of Normandy. This complex tale involving not only the English in the form of Edward, the Normans with William but also others such as Cnut and Harold Godwineson.

This entire complex interplay is fascinatingly and superbly explained in the first several chapters. Then it moves on to how William used the resulting problems, as well as Edward's likely approval of him as heir, to invade England.

Then the book delves into the Conquest itself and the various social, political, economic, and religious changes that became manifest as the Normans took control. Whether it is the Harrying of the North or the changes to the architecture of churches and cathedrals to economic policy as dictated by the Domesday book- Dr. Morris explains all of it in a detailed and clear manner, yet the stylistic prose is very readable and always entertaining.

Ending with the death of William and his successor William Rufus (Red Haired), this is one of the best volumes I've read about the Norman Conquest. As detailed as it is readable, this book should appeal to those who are hardcore history buffs to a casual reader curious about the Norman conquest. Full of fascinating tidbits and newly discovered academic research it is truly a wonderful book that can be appreciated by one and all. It will find a treasured place in my history collection and one I can not recommend enough to anyone with an interest in this time.

[Ton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: a very detailed, and very conscientious history of the Norman Conquest of England (exactly what the title suggests…), with a hard look at the evidence, and an interpretation at points which I hadn’t seen before. Some room is made for small bits on architecture, and cultural aspects, but the focus is clearly on the lives of Edward, Harold and William, how they are tied to the Conquest, what actually happened and how it worked out. Biggest plus is how Morris brings the era to life through the use of sources, however difficult that may be.

Morris himself starts by telling us, in the introduction, how scant the sources for this era are. This is borne out by the narrative: “When we next encounter Harold, however, he is riding towards his manor of Bosham on the Sussex coast. He has a meal with his friends, takes a ship out into the English Channel, and somehow ends up as the guest of the duke of Normandy.” [109] “‘Earl Ælfgar was banished but soon returned with the help of Gruffudd’, says the D Chronicle [of the Anglo Saxon Chronicle]. ‘It is tedious to tell how it all happened.’” [107] “The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle begins its account of the year 1082 with a startling thunderbolt. ‘In this year,’ it says, ‘the king arrested Bishop Odo.’ Having startled us, however, the anonymous author, our only contemporary informant, leaves us entirely in the dark, adding only ‘and in this year there was great famine’ before moving on briskly to deal with the events of 1083.” [300] Sometimes the sources are non-existent, sometimes they do exist but are biased one way or another. Morris manages to find a path here that I found credible and engaging. At no point did I feel the need to second-guess his conclusions, especially since he’s always quite frank about why he takes a certain path and clearly states when he’s speculating.

Sometimes Morris seems to take a light tone, for instance when he says: “The King of England, meanwhile, had discovered he had a long-lost nephew.” [94] or “Not long after the founding of St. Stephen’s, William received the exciting news that Harold Godwineson had landed on the north French coast. […] Harold’s Continental adventure is one of the most celebrated episodes in the story of the Norman Conquest…” [112] Honestly, it sounds a bit like Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure, but it’s not unwelcome.

A bit rambling, so not the best review ever, but the book comes highly recommended.

[Liviu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and well-argued book about England in the 11th century, focusing on the Conquest of course but with a long historical prelude that put it in context and with the follow-up difficult establishment of Norman rule after the battle of Hastings as England has had alien kings before but always shook them off eventually, while the Normans came to stay

Definitely recommended

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

a detailed re-examination of events leading up to the Norman conquest of 1066 and the aftermath of the defeat of Anglo-saxon England.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morris has given us a thorough yet readable explanation of events surrounding the Norman Conquest with this well-researched work. With a detailed look at the years leading up to William's invasion through the ascendancy of Henry II, the reader is made aware of each nuance of English life that was affected by the arrival of the Normans.

Morris has a brilliant style of writing that takes into account a variety of theories and tends not to more forcefully press with one than the evidence supports. He manages a huge cast of vivid characters and masterfully weaves their stories together. Rather than claiming that he can solve for questions, like who Edward really intended to have inherit his crown, Morris presents related theories and admits that there is no way for us to know for sure.

Looking into consequences that reach far beyond Hastings, this narrative explains the years of rebellions and setbacks that William was forced to cope with and explores how the shifting of power caused sweeping changes that are noted in everyday life, down to the language that was spoken.

I admit that most of my knowledge of this period has previously come through historical fiction and some random fact checking. This more thorough study enabled me to see, for the first time, some interesting comparisons and contrasts between William's arrival in England and Henry Tudor's. Though Morris does not make any parallel observations, some of the connections in my own mind were thought provoking. Where William was fought against for years, Henry was (more or less) welcomed. Both Richard III and Harold had questionable rights to the throne....anyway, I could go on, but that is not really the subject of this particular work. Morris does note the differences between earlier take-overs, such as Cnut's, and William's. I found it all rather intriguing.

A wonderful study of the reasons for and results of the Norman Conquest, I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to dig deeper into this era of history.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible non-fiction. Basically expands on what was written in contemporaneous accounts or in accounts written within a hundred years or so after. I feel this one is not really going to give you anything new if you have read books on this period of history before. It is the same old recap with very little new added to the story. My impression is that if you have read little on the Conquest or have read nothing at all, then this book will do you. If you are looking for more supposition and logical theorising, this one probably will not do you.

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. As picturesque as the Bayeux Tapestry itself. Genuine pleasure to read (though bogged down a bit about 3/4 way though), plus superbly informative. Where historical sources or scholars disagree, Morris is a master tour guide through the material. Didn't need the extensive recapitulation in the last chapter--or. alternatively, read only that as a sort of study guide.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Norman Conquest, Marc Morris provides a comprehensive and complex look at what often is seen as the most pivotal year in English history - 1066. It was the year of William the Conqueror’s victory at the Battle of Hastings and is considered the beginning of the period known as the High Middle Ages.

Using a handful of contemporary or near contemporary witness accounts, Morris painstakingly builds an explanation of the murky and turbulent decades leading up to the conquest - years that are marked by shifting political alliances, rebellions, invasions, and fratricides. Sifting through these contradictory and often suspiciously biased narratives, Morris strips away myths and stereotypes to provide a highly contextualized and reasoned historical interpretation.

But Morris doesn’t stop at the Battle of Hastings. He goes beyond that singular event to explain the short and long term consequences for England’s society, economy and culture. There’s a detailed account of the years of backlash and rebellions immediately following William’s success at Hastings as well the creation of the Domesday Book, the unprecedented undertaking that revealed the extent of the Norman land appropriation and control.

Although Morris is an entertaining and accomplished writer, the details in this book and the complex analyses can be overwhelming. The book requires a careful read but is very worthwhile and essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of this period in English history.

[Kristina Church milashus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book by Marc Morris. "The Norman Conquest", offers the reader a fantastic overview on how England became what it is today. Using sources such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronical, The Bayeux Tapestry, and contemporary sources from both the Anglo-Saxon and Norman viewpoint, Mr. Morris weaves together a fine overview of the times. The book starts with the reign of Edgar in 959, and gives the reader a great overview of the English and Danish rulers of England prior to 1066. The real story picks up with the reign of Edward the Confessor, who had no children, and how William of Normandy came to be the rightful (depending on how you look at it) ruler of England.

Admittedly, the Anglo-Saxon and Norman contemporary sources are skewed based on the writers and whether they saw William as a tyrannical Conquerer or as a Mighty Warrior claiming his rightful throne. Mr. Morris does an outstanding job of closely looking at similarities between the writings and offering the reader theories of what may be exaggerated either for or against the benefit of William. Yet, he allows the reader to come to their own conclusions. The book goes through William's entire 21 year reign, and offers brief overviews of the reigns of his heirs, up through Henry II. It gives a fascinating look at theories as to why the Domesday book was ever written, but offers no true conclusion, as we really don't know.

I highly recommend this book if you are interested in this time period. The meat of the book concentrates on the Battle of Hastings and the rule of William the Conqueror, but ties it all nicely together with the before and afters, and how England was changed forever because of the Conquest.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely readable non-fiction that read almost like a novel, it was so entertaining. Marc Morris has meticulously researched and footnoted this fine book, although as a KindleUnlimited I would have to borrow again to utilize that feature.

The Norman invasion is important to many of us to better understand where our customs comes from. My maternal grandfather's family came with the Normans to England and then into Ireland by 1250, this book shone a light on that era for me. I understand why my Irish great grandfather came to New Jersey with a British Army pension, they apparently always "sold their swords".

An excellent book, as was "A Great and Terrible King" and I recommend both of them enthusiastically. My same ancestral family worked in the retinue of all the Norman Kings and I am entranced with these works.

[K.M. Weiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be difficult to discovery history books that offer both profound integrity in research and readability. This book offers both, with a keen examination of what we do know about the Norman Conquest and what we do not, all while organizing itself in an entertaining way that makes it easy to remember who’s who and what’s a stake.

[♣ Irish Smurfétté ♣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallmarks of a quality presentation of history: the ability to create tension despite the reader already knowing the outcome, events and their impact told from ground level, avoidance of conjecture unless explicitly described as such, and encouraging the positing and examination of theories and how they might apply today.

The author's writing style is confident, well-structured, and highly readable. He infuses his analysis with the all too human traits of his subjects, making millennium-past events come alive. Or, in simpler more amusing terms, he has me thinking "save the drama fo ya mama!" at the family dysfunction taken to extremes, from rebellion to assassination and the rest.

For me, good history book storytellers present the options for our own interpretation. They give us the pros and cons, the various points of view, available facts, and then provide the conclusions they feel are most logical. This approach allows me to do the same. No spoon feeding here.

Here's a thinker: did the English despise so much, did the vulnerability from the humiliation of being invaded and defeated run so deep that, for the next near millennium, they tried to defeat *that* by doing the same to any nation or group of people they were able in creating an ever expanding empire? Something fed the multi-generational mindset. Was the Conquest it?

Morris does conclude that the long-term processes of invasion, conquest, rebellion, assimilation, and finally intermingling forever blur the cultural lines while birthing an entirely new one... which become our history. This has been and continues to be demonstrated time and again.

Many of the historical actors in this play are direct ancestors of mine. Should be no surprise this adds a lot of fun in reading about everything from the mundane to the insane about them. :)

[Matt Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

[Rindis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too often, brief looks at the Conquest start at Stamford Bridge and end at Hastings. Well, this isn't a brief look. Morris starts with nearly a century's worth of Anglo-Saxon politics, including the fact that much of Anglo-Saxon "England" had been under Danish rule for a while. That entire period is easily worth a longer treatment on its own, but Morris gives all the essentials in a nice readable format that leads into the twenty years or so before the central date of 1066.

This section is very informative, and demonstrates how much the British Isles had become attached to Scandinavia instead of Western Europe. But more importantly, we get a very fleshed out cast of characters around Edward the Confessor. The English court was something of an unstable place, thanks to the various transfers of power from one external faction to another, and the power of various magnates (notably the Godwinesons). Very interesting is Morris' look at the story of Edward naming William of Normandy as his heir. It's not nearly as unlikely nor coerced as it seems at first glance. Also, he takes a look at how English kingship operated, and especially how and when a new king was acknowledged.

After Edward's death, and the very confused year that follows, the book takes an extensive look at the approximately twenty years after 1066 as well. In many ways this isn't as detailed or as coherent as the the first parts of the book, but the actors on the stage are a bit more fractured. This part is a story of repeated rebellions, and repeated voyages by William across the Channel in both directions. It's also the story of how much of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy got replaced by a largely Norman one. Not all in one big transfer right after William is crowned King of England, but in a series of large grants and appropriations, and on a smaller scale by various Norman lords grabbing whatever they can get away with.

The book largely ends with the Domesday Book, or more properly the Survey which ended up by producing the two books (Great and Little). Morris has some interesting things to say here as well, and wraps things up with a bit on the eventual Anglicizing of the Norman conquerors. From start to finish, he does a great job presenting the history, all the various problems with the sources, and talks extensively about the major sources for any section. This is on the 'popular history' side of things, and is extremely readable, but it also has high-level discussion of just how we know what we know.

[KB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absolute banger from Marc Morris.

It kind of goes without saying that a lot happens in this book, and I do have to admit that all the new names were a little challenging in some of the early chapters. Thankfully there are a couple family trees to refer to at the beginning of the book. But The Norman Conquest is drama on a major scale, and who doesn't love a little drama? You have the Anglo-Saxons, the Danes that never really go away, an unruly and detached north, Normans that get lumped in to English affairs, issues of succession, the Scots and Welsh on the periphery, major battles, uprisings and rebellions.

Reading along, I was surprised to find myself about halfway through and already at the Battle of Hastings. I guess I figured that would've been what everything was leading up to - sort of the pinnacle of the book. But as hugely important as that battle was, apparently historians don't actually know very much about it in terms of details. And upon finishing the book, you see that the battle was a turning point; important in and of itself, but there is so much more that comes after. It's the end of one thing, and the beginning of something else.

With the Normans comes a new language, a new way of parceling out land, new building styles, an invigoration of religion. Some English lived improved lives or even prospered, but for many this was not the case. Holders of most of the land, and the leaders of church and government were largely Norman.

The story of the Conquest is told in Morris' usual way, which I only mean as a compliment. This is probably as accessible and readable as you can get in covering such a detailed topic. And his voice as a historian comes through, just as in all his other books: this isn't merely a collection of sources without any reflection. A pleasure to read from the first page to the last.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris

Starring

William the Bastard (sometimes known as the Conqueror)

Featuring

The ever-popular Athelred the Unready

Those dauntless, dazzling Danes: Cnut and Harthacnut

That pious prince: Edward the Confessor

The harried Highness: Harold II (also unready)

That odious oligarch: Bishop/Earl Odo

and a cast of thousands

This is a highly readable account of the conquest of England by William , Duke of Normandy in 1066. If you are looking for a lot of hard facts, forget it. This is not Morris' fault, there simply aren't many from that period. The only systematic attempt to record what was going on was the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle which in some years records only a single event, while other years are ignored entirely. I know some of us view the Brits as rather staid and boring, but surely there must have been more going on even there. About the only other contemporary account is the Bayeux Tapestry - a curtain for God's sake.Most of the information that we have was written in the twelfth century by the like of Oderic Vitalis, Robert of Gumieges and William of Malmesbury. All of these sources are highly biased (if you can imagine that) in favor of either the English or the Normans. Wrestling any solid histoty from these sources would be a lot like writing the history of 21st Century America from watching Fox and NBC evening newscasts. Morris gives you pretty much all the points of view, tells you why he may favor one over the others but pretty much lets you make up your own mind about what might have happened. An interesting read.

[Bettie]

Narrated by: Frazer Douglas
Length: 18 hrs and 9 mins
Unabridged Audiobook

A riveting and authoritative history of the single most important event in English history: The Norman Conquest.

Description: An upstart French duke who sets out to conquer the most powerful and unified kingdom in Christendom. An invasion force on a scale not seen since the days of the Romans. One of the bloodiest and most decisive battles ever fought.

This new history explains why the Norman Conquest was the most significant cultural and military episode in English history. Assessing the original evidence at every turn, Marc Morris goes beyond the familiar outline to explain why England was at once so powerful and yet so vulnerable to William the Conqueror's attack; why the Normans, in some respects less sophisticated, possessed the military cutting edge; how William's hopes of a united Anglo-Norman realm unraveled, dashed by English rebellions, Viking invasions, and the insatiable demands of his fellow conquerors.

This is a tale of powerful drama, repression, and seismic social change: the Battle of Hastings itself; the sudden introduction of castles and the massive rebuilding of every major church; the total destruction of an ancient ruling class. Language, law, architecture, and even attitudes toward life itself were altered forever by the coming of the Normans.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book on the Norman conquest of England in 1066, exploring the pre-history that led up to the Conquest and the years afterward, up to the death of William the Conqueror, with some reflections on the impact of the conquest at the end.

If I'd purchased this as a print or ebook, I might possibly have given it five stars (if it had great illustrations and a good bibliography, for example). The text itself, for the general reader, merits a solid 4 in my opinion as a very decent, highly readable, up to date account of a crucial period in English history.

But alas, I listened to the audiobook, and I'd rate this one a 2 for the narrator and production values. The narrator's reading style drove me bonkers--it was flat and stilted, with very frequent (as in every 5 seconds) mid-sentence pauses so that some sentences were misread entirely. Words were mispronounced, including place names; the one that made me grind my teeth the most was "Cayenne", which almost certainly means Caen, which is pronounced more like "con". There were some weird changes in sound quality, undoubtedly where a correction had been made or the narrator had paused.

In short, don't buy the audiobook.

[Jamie Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable history of the Conquest, although it’s fairly scholarly, and not a light read. Morris begins with the death of the viking king Cnut, who ruled England for almost 20 years, then describes the path by which Edward the Confessor becomes king, and leads to the reasons why William of Normandy might feel he had a claim on the throne of England.

Then the story of the Battle of Hastings, followed by two decades of struggle between the English and the Norman occupiers. The narrative ends with William’s death in 1086, and an England transformed by the infusion of Normans and their culture.

The sections about William’s troubled rule in Normandy I found a bit dry, probably because I’m not so familiar with French history. The story of the Conquest itself, and the changes wrought in English society, were fascinating, as was the story of the Domesday book.

I like the way the author describes the various sources for his information, especially his comments on the reliability, and likely biases, of the different surviving records. The book’s illustrations include some images from the Bayeux Tapestry, itself an important historical source.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very comprehensive review of how the Norman conquest changed the course of England permanently, laying the foundations for English colonial aspirations in centuries to come, as well as establishing certain principles of a hereditary monarchy and aristocracy.

Morris's prose is eminently readable, and while there are places where he goes into very deep detail, it's never extraneous and serves to provide the reader with the foundational knowledge needed.

Highly recommended after reading Lars Brownsworth's The Normans: From Raiders to Kings as a primer.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Most Momentous Event in the History of the British Isles
Everyone with an interest in British history knows the date of 1066 and the invasion of William the Conqueror of Normandy, and his victory over the Anglo-Saxon king Harold Godwinson. He was killed by an arrow in the eye at the Battle of Hastings, according to the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

But that event marks only the culmination of an extremely tumultuous period of English political history, with the crown in contention among multiple claimants since the powerful Edward the Confessor, who reigned from 1042-1066, had no heirs. Harold Godwinson was the brother-in-law to Edward, and also descended from Cnut the Great, a Danish prince who briefly untied the thrones on England, Denmark, and Normal from 1028-1035. Harold also had a brother named Tostig, who was so reckless that he was exiled to Norway. When Edward the Confessor dies, the opportunistic Tostig convinced the Norwegian King Harald Hardrada that he should invade England and seize the English crown. 

Meanwhile, William, Duke of Normandy, had finally established control of Normandy after a bloody and protracted struggle with rival claimants and battles with France and Flanders. He was an illegitimate son of Duke Robert I of Normandy, and descended from the Viking Rollo (Hrolf), the latter being the strongest warrior from among the Norsemen who invaded northern France and settled among the Franks there. William was the cousin of Edward the Confessor, and felt he had a claim to the English throne, saying that Edward had promised it to him despite later naming Harold Godwinson as his heir on his deathbed.

Confused enough yet?

Is it clear that the terms “English”, “French”, and “Norman” have a lot in common with “Viking”, “Dane”, “Norsemen”, “Flemish”, and “Frank”. And that they are all battling for spoils, land, political power, trade. Not to mention that everyone seems to be related to each other in some way, whether it be by blood, marriage, or political alliance. And since they didn’t have legal documentation and last wills and testaments, basically any power vacuum caused by the death of a powerful monarch usually set in motion a struggle among rival claimants.

So Harald Hardrada of Norway invaded Yorkshire and Northumbria with Tostig, the latter hoping to reclaim is Earldom. Northumbria was mostly a mix of Danes and Anglo-Saxons, and they initially had some success. This presented the newly crowned King of England Harold with a serious dilemma, as he had been preparing to repel an invasion of the south coast of England by William Duke of Normandy. However, William was delayed by prolonged storms that prevented his fleet from making the crossing. So Harold (of Wessex) made the fateful decision to head north to confront the forces of Harald (of Norway). They met in the Battle of Stamford Bridge, and Harold prevailed, with both Harald and Tostig killed in the fighting.

However, with almost no time to recover, Harold learned that William had finally made the crossing and invaded the south coast of England. He forced this battle-weary troops to march south and confront the Norman army. A massive battle ensued, the fateful Battle of Hastings, which was hard-fought and closely matched, but William gained the victory when Harold was struck down with an arrow in the eye.

So all settled then? Not so fast.

William of Normandy may have proven victorious on the battlefield with a force of 7,000 Norman knights and mercenaries, but he was keen to take control of the entire British isles. This became known as the Norman Conquest, as he and his supporters back in Normandy then threw all their combined resources to completely conquer all of the Anglo-Saxon barons and dukes, one by one, crushing each with the most ruthless means possible, which often meant “harrowing” the land, namely burning all the crops, killing the livestock, and slaughtering any rival armies and murdering many civilians for good measure.

They then systematically took over and replaced the entire British aristocracy, build hundreds of castles to enforce their rule (castles previously being quite rare in the Isles), making French the language of the elite, and then creating a monumental land survey known as the Domesday Book in 1086 that recorded who owned every parcel of land at the time Edward the Confessor died in 1066 and then who owned it 20 years later. What it records is the wholesale transfer of land ownership to William, his brother Odo, and all his numerous Norman barons and knights and supporters, and complete disenfranchisement of the former Anglo-Saxon landowners. It’s a monumental change in British social organization and political power, and could only be achieved through repeated and ruthless suppression.

So now the picture is crystal-clear? Glad to hear it.

This unbelievably complex and volatile story is told in great details by Mark Morris, using primary sources as much as possible, and approached in a very academically-researched but readable format. It’s quite well done and you’ll learn a lot (maybe a bit overwhelming), and realize that nothing about those times was simple or straight-forward, and the impact of the Norman Conquest has affected British culture and society in profound ways for the millennia that followed unto the present day.