1066

The Year of The Three Battles

Frank McLynn

$39.99

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English

Pimlico
22 October 1999

History; British & Irish history; Early history: c 500 to c 1450&1500; Battles & campaigns

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.

By: Frank McLynn
Imprint: Pimlico
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 425g
ISBN: 9780712666725
ISBN 10: 0712666729
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 22 October 1999
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Other merchandise
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for 1066: The Year of The Three Battles

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)