William the Conqueror

Abstract

This book offers a reinterpretation of the life of a pivotal figure in British and European history. This book combines biography and a multidisciplinary approach to examine the life of a major figure in British and European history. Using a framework derived from studies of early medieval kingship, it assesses each phase of William's life to establish why so many trusted William to invade England in 1066 and the consequences of this on the history of the so-called Norman Conquest after the Battle of Hastings and for generations to come. Taking an innovative approach, the book argues for a move away from old perceptions and controversies associated with William's life and the Norman Conquest.