Battle for the Island Kingdom :England's Destiny 1000-1066

4.31 ( 121 Ratings by Goodreads)
Battle for the Island Kingdom

Battle for the Island Kingdom :England's Destiny 1000-1066

(Author)
4.31 (121 Ratings by Goodreads)
hardback
Published: 9 November, 2023
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Description

SHORTLIST FOR MILITARY HISTORY MATTERS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

Weaving together period sources and a fast-paced narrative, this is a rich history of the years leading up to 1066 when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans vied for the English crown.

Includes all the key individuals that inspired the final season of Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla and the brand-new BBC drama King and Conqueror.


Bloody battles, political intrigues and dynastic marriages all played a part in shaping a nascent England. Battle for the Island Kingdom is a rich history of the violent six decades when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and ultimately Normans vied for the English crown before the seismic Battle of Hastings determined the fate of England for centuries.

Discover the defining personalities of the age, from the English king Aethelred and his nemesis Viking Svein Forkbeard to Cnut who forged an empire across England and Scandinavia only for his Norman queen Emma and Saxon consort Aelfifu to pit his sons against each other. We discover how the power-hungry Earl Godwin plays all sides until his own son Harold eventually seizes the crown and why Harold's brother Tostig chose to betray both him and his people for the Norman William the Bastard, who would become William the Conqueror.

Thisis a gripping tale of divided loyalties, treason and military might by master storyteller Don Hollway, author of the critically acclaimed The Last Viking.

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More Details

Type Book
ISBN13 9781472858931
ISBN10 147285893X
Number Of Pages 432
Item Weight 684 g
Product Dimensions 156 x 238 x 40 mm
Publisher / Reseller Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format hardback
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Media Reviews

A great book both for those exploring the story behind the Norman Conquest for the first time, and for more knowledgeable readers who want to read a fresh account of it. * Aspects of History *
Battle for the Island Kingdom is thoroughly enjoyable, and is recommended to anyone looking for a comprehensive and accessible history of the period. * Military History Matters *
The story of England and how it came to be a Norman possession is an intricate and fascinating one. This is a very readable book which opens up this complex period. * Battlefield *

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GoodReads Reviews

Author's Bio

Don Hollway is an author and historian. His first book, The Last Viking, is a gripping history of King Harald Hardrada which was acclaimed by bestselling author Stephen Harding, by Carl Gnam of Military Heritage magazine and by Michael Dirda in The Washington Post. He is also a classical rapier fencer. His work is also available at www.donhollway.com. He lives in Pennsylvania.

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