Overview

One of our best popular historian tells the remarkable story of the events that took place in 1066, probably the most famous date in English history. Everyone knows what William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but in recent years is has become customary to assume that the victory was virtually inevitable, given the alleged superiority of Norman military technology. In this new study, underpinned by biographical sketches of the great warriors who fought for the crown of England in 1066, Frank McLynn shows that this view is mistaken. The battle on Senlac Hill on 14 October was a desperately close-run thing, which Harold lost only because of an incredible run of bad fortune and some treachery from the Saxon elite in England. Both William and Harold were fine generals, but Harold was the more inspirational of the two. Making use of all the latest scholarship, McLynn shows that most of our 'knowledge' of 1066 rests on myths or illusions- Harold did not fight at Hastings with the same army with which he had been victorious at Stamford Bridge three weeks earlier; the Battle of Senlac was not won by Norman archery; Harold did not die with an arrow in the eye. In overturning these myths, McLynn shows that the truth is even more astonishing than the legend. An original feature of the book is the space devoted to the career and achievements of Harald Hardrada, who usually appears in such narratives as the shadowy 'third man'. McLynn shows that he was probably the greatest warrior of the three and that he, in turn, lost a battle through unforeseen circumstances.

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9780712666725

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Reviews

A splendid book... fascinatingly rich and thorough. -- Julian Rathbone Independent on Sunday An exciting story well told... A most lively and rewarding book. -- Jeremy Black Literary Review One of our most readable historians Daily Express McLynn is an astonishingly prolific historian. His books are always elegantly written, highly opinionated and enormously enjoyable Sunday Times Has anybody done more - done as much - as Frank McLynn in writing intelligent, combative, thoroughly researched and thoroughly readable history? Independent

1066 is one of the most famous of dates, and yet most of us have only the vaguest sense of what happened, and of the background. McLynn takes us through a generation's worth of northern European politics, making clear why both Harold and William thought they had a right to rule England and why Harold had to march to Hastings from winning another battle in the north. McLynn, with both Jung and Napoleon recently under his belt, has to be one of the most versatile of biographers; he manages to make clear how the 11th century is at once so long ago and just around the corner. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Frank McLynn is a highly regarded historian, who specializes in biographies and military history. He has written over 20 books, including critically acclaimed biographies of Napoleon and Richard the Lionheart. Other books include Stanley, 1759, Marcus Aurelius and his latest work, The Road Not Taken- How Britain Narrowly Missed a Revolution. He is a graduate of Wadham College, Oxford, and London University, where he obtained his doctorate.

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