Battle for the Island Kingdom

England's Destiny 1000–1066

Battle for the Island Kingdom

England's Destiny 1000–1066

Don Hollway (Author)

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Description

A rich history of the years leading up to 1066 when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans vied for the English crown. A tale of loyalty, treason and military might.

Includes all the key individuals that inspired the final season of Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla - Harald Sigurdsson, King Cnut, Emma of Normandy and Godwin of Wessex

Battle for the Island Kingdom reveals the life-and-death struggle for power which changed the course of history. The six decades leading up to 1066 were defined by bloody wars and intrigues, in which three peoples vied for supremacy over the island kingdom. In this epic retelling, Don Hollway (The Last Viking) recounts the clashes of Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans, their warlords and their conniving queens.

It begins with the Viking Cnut the Great, forging three nations into his North Sea Empire while his Saxon wife Aelfgifu rules in his stead and schemes for England's throne. Her archenemy is Emma of Normandy, widow of Saxon king Aethelred, claiming Cnut's realm in exchange for her hand in marriage. Their sons become rivals, pawns in their mothers' wars until they can secure their own destinies. And always in the shadows is Godwin of Wessex, playing all sides to become the power behind the throne until his son Harold emerges as king of all of England.

But Harold's brother Tostig turns traitor, abandons the Anglo-Saxons and joins the army of the last great Viking, Harald Hardrada, where together they meet their fate at the battle of Stamford Bridge. And all this time watching from across the water is William, the Bastard, fighting to secure his own Norman dukedom, but with an eye on the English crown.

List of Illustrations
Author's Note
Dramatis Personae
Introduction: A New Millennium

Part One. The Vikings: AD 1001–1043
I. Normandy Invasion: 1001
II. Foreigners: 1002
III. Woe to King Aethelred: 1003–1009
IV. The Jomsvikings: 1009–1012
V. Hnefatafl: 1012–1014
VI. Sons of the Fathers: 1014–1016
VII. One King to Rule All: 1016
VIII. Viking England: 1017–1022
IX. Forging an Empire: 1022–1028
X. Kingdoms, Dukedoms, Heirdoms: 1028–1030
XI. Seeking Deliverance: 1030–1035
XII. Power Games: 1036–1037
XIII. Nadirs: 1037–1040
XIV. Harthacnut: 1040–1042
XV. Their Just Rewards: 1042–1043

Part Two. The Anglo-Saxons: AD 1042–1065
XVI. Edward Rex: 1042–1045
XVII. Comeuppances: 1045–1046
XVIII. Outcasts: 1046–1047
XIX. Val-ès-Dunes: 1047
XX. The Godwins: 1047–1049
XXI. William the Bastard: 1049–1051
XXII. Rebellion: 1051
XXIII. Heir to the Throne: 1051–1052
XXIV. The Return of the Godwins: 1052
XXV. Asserting Power: 1052–1053
XXVI. Wars in the North: 1054
XXVII. The Godwinsons: 1055–1056
XXVIII. War and Diplomacy: 1057
XXIX. Supremacy: 1058–1060
XXX. Fragile Peace: 1061
XXXI. Conquerors: 1062–1063
XXXII. Betrayals: 1064–1065

Part Three. The Normans: AD 1066
XXXIII. Challenge Accepted: Spring 1066
XXXIV. Opening Moves: Summer 1066
XXXV. Return of the Vikings: September 1066
XXXVI. Hastings: October 1066

Afterword: Domesday, 1066–1154
Sources
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author

Product details

Published	Nov 07 2023
Format	Hardback
Edition	1st
Extent	432
ISBN	9781472858931
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	8-page plate section in colour
Dimensions	9 x 6 inches
Series	General Military
Short code	GNM
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

Author

Don Hollway

Don Hollway is an author, illustrator, and histori…

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
Historian Hollway chronicles in this brisk study the 66 tumultuous years culminating in the Norman victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 CE… The result is an accessible and vibrant portrait of a turning point in world history.

Publisher's Weekly
There's no need for fictional dragons when the real-life battle for thrones and empires is as thrilling as Hollway's …account of England's history leading up to the Norman Conquest of 1066… A deeply researched must-read for anyone interested in this contested era. Readers will be enthralled...

Library Journal
The second type of person who would love this book is pretty much everyone else. There is war, back-stabbing, polygamy, politics, poisonings, and a saint or two. What's not to love?... Hollway keeps everything clear and concise while telling a great story…. Just plain fantastic.

History Nerds United