Campaigns of the Norman Conquest

by Bennett,Matthew

• ISBN13: 9781579583767
• ISBN10: 1579583768
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-03-21
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This resource provides a full introduction to the Norman Conquest, which resulted in dramatic changes to England's aristocracy, church, and administration; brought new language and cultural influences to England; and revolutionized military architecture with the introduction of the castle. With maps showing how William the Conqueror's strategic intelligence enabled him to defeat his formidable opponents and create a new order, this vivid survey studies the Conquest's campaigns in detail. Assessing the human experience of the war, attention is also paid to the community surrounding the campaigns. Including a chronology and an analysis of the consequences of William the Conqueror's victory, this fascinating volume will prove valuable for both student and general readers.

Table of Contents

Introduction	7	(2)
Chronology	9	(3)
Background to war
Danes, Normans and the English royal succession	12	(4)
Warring sides
Harold and William: the war lords	16	(8)
Outbreak
Preparations and motivations	24	(11)
The fighting
Two invasions, one conquest	35	(26)
Portrait of a soldier
Viking legend, English `patriot', and two Norman earls	61	(3)
The world around war
Politics, strategy, the Church and administration	64	(9)
Portrait of a civilian
Three bishops: saint, architect and `warrior'; and a queen	73	(5)
How the war ended
The Conqueror's reign	78	(3)
Conclusion and consequences
The English experience: law, culture and society	81	(10)
Glossary	91	(2)
Further reading	93	(1)
Index	94