1066: A New History of the Norman Conquest

A radical retelling of the most important event in English history - the Norman invasion of 1066.

The Norman Conquest is widely regarded as the single most important event in English history. On this invasion and "regime change" pivoted the second millennium of English history. While this is well-recognized, what is often overlooked is how long and hard the English people fought to deny William "the Bastard," Duke of Normandy, his prize.

A Brutal and Violent Takeover

Rather than being the smooth transition often portrayed by pro-Norman historians, the Norman Conquest was a brutal and violent takeover by an army of occupation. Unknown thousands of rebellious thegns resisted the Norman regime.

• Hereward is the most famous of these resistors, but he was far from alone.
• On the other hand, there were plenty of willing collaborators among England's clergy. These collaborators pushed for William to be crowned king.
• In return, William allowed them to retain their sees and abbacies, as well as vast tracts of land.

The Full Story of the Norman Conquest

Peter Rex tells the whole story of the Conquest of England by the Normans. The narrative begins with the deathbed decision of King Edward the Confessor in January 1066 to recommend Harold Godwinson as his successor. It concludes with the crushing of the last flickers of English resistance in June 1076.

This is not just a retelling of history — it’s an exploration of the struggles, resistance, and collaboration that defined this pivotal moment in time.