The Struggle 1066 - 1284

To make violent strenuous efforts against opposition is one definition of struggle.  The conquest, colonization, and conversion of Albion between 1066 and 1284 is certainly one such struggle.

The peoples England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, were all involved in this struggle.  This book by David Carpenter deals mostly with the Welsh and Scottish against the Normans.   Since my own family tree climbing (genealogy) involved the struggle between the Welsh and Normans, it seemed like an important subject to try and get a handle.  The regions and political divisions of Wales were important for me to sort out.   Wales by 1200 AD was a back and forth between the Anglo-Saxon : Norman powers leading to the wars of Edward I.  This book covers the waterfront.

First published in 2003 by Allen Lane, it was then published by Penguin Books in 2004.  Maps and genealogical tables are helpful.  [Includes the dynasty of Gwynedd, Deheubarth, and Powys.]  A good read for those with Welsh genes among the trees...:-).

A Much Bigger Story

For those who have roots to that Island first called Albion, the terms 1066 and Hastings will forever be connected to the Normans.  Having those roots, it did take me a little while to realize that the Normans had a much bigger story.

The following book by Christopher Gravett and David Nicolle opened my eyes to a broader picture of the Norman culture and history.  These Normans played a role not only in British history, but a wider European history as well.

Their states (dynasties) they established in France, Italy, Sicily and Syria came to be important in world history.  A history of the Normans and the military foundations that they forged, came to play a major role in many aspects of western European history.  This book helps provide a context to realizing the larger role that the Normans played in the pages of history.   From Viking days of the 9th and 10th century, to the last Norman stronghold in northern Syria (Antioch), their role is discussed.  Stone castles seemed to be a remaining legacy.

Lots of pictures, maps, and historic accounts make this book a good read for those who want a much bigger picture.

Normans and Plantagenets

The writers of history are usually on the winning side.  Following the year 1066, there does not seem to be many books titled "The Saxons and the Anglo-Saxon Defeat"!  The following book presents many of the writers of contemporary Latin Christendom following this year of 1066.

"...biased interpretations based upon unhistorical prejudices." is present as a reason for this text in the very first paragraph.  The text is organized into chapters:

                                                                                           I   The Emergent West
                                                                                           II   Normandy
                                                                                           III  England
                                                                                           IV  England, Normandy and Scandinavia
                                                                                           V   The Norman Conquest of England
                                                                                           VI Norman England.

Each page flows with detailed reference to the opinions express during the historical period discussed.  First published in 1969 by R. Allen Brown, it was reprinted in 1994 in hardback and paperback by The Boydell Press.  It is an interesting read for those of us who like to discover the primary documents and their authors. [You have a large number of references to filter through!]

1066

The folks on that Island first called Albion would never be the same after the year 1066 AD.  It was perhaps the most feared warriors of the day, that came from a fairly small geographic area, and took control of this land.   The Normans they were called.

David Howarth in his book presents this year from January 4th (1066) to New Year's Eve.  He writes in his introduction to the book "...is not meant to be read as a work of scholarship, only as an evocation of the excitement, pleasures and miseries of that year...".  He mostly uses sources that were written within living memory of 1066.  Maps and diagrams include the genealogies of the early Kings of England and Denmark, and the Dukes of Normandy. [For the genealogist in you.]   The earldoms of England in 1066 and the invasion routes are shown.   Stamford Bridge, the Sussex coast, and the battle of Hastings are also given.  Published 1978 by The Viking Press, it is a fun read for those interested in this year...1066.