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Book Review: The Norman Conquest by Marc Morris

    At the time I am writing this short review, the Bayeux Tapestry is on display at the British Museum.  In fact, this is the first time in centuries that the Bayeux Tapestry has been in England, as these days it is typically displayed at a museum in Normandy.  Exhibiting the Bayeux Tapestry has really added some exposure and perhaps even inspired more interest in the Norman conquest of Anglo-Saxon England, not just in the United Kingdom, but around the world.  

norman conquest, marc morris, england, anglo-saxons, bayeux tapestry,

                    Purchase at The Norman Conquest at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SPfhIu

    If you are keen to learn about the history underlying the images crafted onto the Bayeux Tapestry, or if you are just a fan of history, then check out Marc Morris's The Norman Conquest. It is one of the most accessible historical examinations of William the Conqueror's 1066 invasion and his profound transformation of England.

    The Norman Conquest is generally written in a narrative style, but Morris does an amazing job with historical source materials, including discussions of the Bayeux Tapestry, in evaluating events. So, you really come out feeling like you have a historian’s view of these remarkable events.

    The book traces the origins of the conflict by digging into the consolidation of William’s power in Normandy that allowed him to pursue a dangerous game of conquest across the Channel, while also outlining the political vulnerabilities of 1040s Anglo-Saxon society through the dramatic succession crisis of 1066. Instability, and conflicts with the Norse kingdoms, made Edward the Confessor’s England vulnerable despite its considerable power.

    Ultimately, these two parallel paths culminated in Harold and William’s epic clash in the Battle of Hastings, and subsequently the violent suppression of numerous Anglo-Saxon uprisings in the following years. In fact, the conquest resulted in a systematic dismantling of the old Anglo-Saxon ruling class and reshaped English society through the introduction of a Norman aristocracy, widespread castle building, and linguistic and legal shifts.

    There are also a number of historical nuggets here that all history lovers are on the lookout for when reading. For example, William shut down slave trading markets in England after the conquest, although he didn’t outright ban slavery.  Still, the first step to eliminating slavery in England was taken by William.  Another interesting episode was William’s death. He may have been powerful in life, but his death and funeral services were strangely undignified. In fact, the events at his death are downright bizarre for a king of William’s historical stature. I don’t want to spoil the ending, so I will leave that historical journey for you!

    Fantastic read and comes highly recommended. I will definitely be looking out for more of Morris's works on the history of Anglo-Saxon England. 

Purchase at The Norman Conquest at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SPfhIu

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Publication date: Jan 2014 | Publisher: Pegasus Books| Page Count: 440

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