The Last Conquest

1066 #1

by Berwick Coates

October, 1066: Two bitter rivals, William and Harold, are about to lead their men into a brutal battle...

Taking up arms, Gilbert, a scout in William's army, seeks victory. Edwin, roundsman to King Harold, knows his king is about to make history - no matter the cost - and he is going to be part of it.

This is a story of the greatest battle ever seen on British soil.

It is the story of the Battle of Hastings.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Medieval

560 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2013

About the author

Berwick Coates was educated at Kingston Grammar School and Christ`s College, Cambridge. Since then he has been, at various times, an Army officer, writer, artist, lecturer, careers adviser, games coach, and teacher of History, English, Latin, General Studies, and Swahili. He is the author of nine works of non-fiction, and lives in the West country where he works as a school archivist.

Reviews

[Beorn · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay read if pretty unremarkable.

The first problem that hits you about this book is that it feels very much like the end to a series rather than a standalone book. Add to that the distinct feeling that all the characters know each other's backgrounds, history and temperaments but you the reader are completely in the dark, constantly playing catch up on each characters motivations not to mention the historical events themselves.

On top of which the characters themselves have a distinctively generic feel to them, in that you could lift them out and place them in just about any particular post Roman period historical fiction novel with little or no juxtaposition or jarring whatsoever.

Frankly, there's little here to compel you to keep reading or care about any of the characters and it actually succeeds in sucking virtually all the intrigue and humanity out of the story.

If you're interested in the Norman Conquest I would in an instant recommend you go read James Wilde's outstanding Hereward than bother with this.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place during a few days, leading up to the famous battle where England's fate changed forever.

There are two leading POVS, but there are also a lot of other POVS, real and not real historical figures. The two leading POVS are those of Gilbert and Edwin. Gilbert is a young scout in the Duke's army. He is trying to find his place and does not always have it easy. He also wants revenge on a man he does not even know.

Then there is Edwin, who takes care of King Harold's hounds. He brings in a few other characters. A Saxon family living near the famous battle grounds. And they will meet the war firsthand.

A few hectic days, all while the saxon family that Edwin knows try to live as they always have. The book was interesting, but I also wanted more. I think it would have been better if the story would have focused solely on Edwin and Gilbert. Instead there where lots of POVS as the author wanted to show what happened, as these two were not always nearby to know. And I did like some of those POVS, like Baldwin de Clair. I wanted to know what he did after the war. Actually I wanted to know what everyone did after the war. Instead it ended, we got a few moments as people scattered, but I wanted to see. Now I can only hope they all got happy...well sort of happy.

This one is for the historical fiction fans.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars for this one. It was a slog! I can understand having each chapter cover a day, but when the days are long and we're switching between so many characters, those long chapters become tiresome. And reading about Normans waiting around for the English to arrive isn't exactly enthralling.

Cliched characters don't help either: the young scout trying to prove himself, the conveniently friendly local Saxon family (complete with over-bearing drunken father), the sadistic mercenary... we've seen these types before. I will admit, I liked the Hungarian horse-wrangler, but most of the other characters are dull. And it's also not helped by the fact that disabled and disfigured characters are stereotyped as villains. Again. (Dear writers: *please* find some different words to describe said disabled characters other than a constant stream of "twisted cripple" "scheming cripple" etc).

Equally, on the good side, the battle scenes (when we get to it) do show that it was not a one-sided rout. I have no idea how much solid evidence there is as to what the actual tactics of either side were at Hastings, but the scenes *feel* plausible which is the main thing. Or at least they mostly feel plausible. Apart from a certain character ambling up drunk in search of relatives. I'm guessing that probably didn't happen.

All in all, a rather boring read. Let's hope the author gets better with their future books.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe not quite a page turner but still a very enjoyable, solid read.
The book takes us directly into the world of a medieval army and shows us exactly what it would have been like in the build up to a major battle. Written mostly from the Normans camp we are introduced to several characters whom over time we get to know well. We are with them night and day for a full week up to and including the battle of Hastings.
In this way it is as though we are there with them and gain a great insight into every aspect of preparations, final planning and ultimately facing your opposition on the day. The apprehension, fear, excitement, exhaustion. The waiting around, and slow build up. The commotion and confusion of the battle itself. It's all there. We are also given insights into what it must have been like for innocent, peaceful, civilians who's only mistake is living in the way of the invaders foraging parties and end becoming caught up in the melee. All in all a good read that was as educating as it was interesting and enjoyable.

[William Cartier · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent novel. I really like the way there is a build up to the battle creating tension. Also the way The Normans have to cope with the boredom of waiting for Harold. This novel also gives the POV of different people who will be affected by the battle to come. It also shows that despite being enemies, friendships can bloosom from War.

[Margareth8537 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed the way the story is written from the viewpoints of a number of characters on both sides. Eventually did get rather bored and started skimming. Might try again when I am more in the right frame of mind.

[Speesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable, maybe slightly alternative look at the possibilities surrounding the first couple of weeks of the Norman Conquest, leading up to and including the Battle of Hastings. It is a novel, so fiction, but thanks to the fiction and non-fiction reading around the events of 1066 I've done by accident and design over the last few years, I can see that 'The Last Conquest' does weave very plausibly in and out of the facts as they can be determined and offers some very workable ideas, or interpretations, for what might be the reality behind at least a couple of the legends. In my opinion, I should hasten to add. As I wouldn’t want in any way shape or form, like to present myself as anything approaching an expert in the field. That is in there so I don’t get involved (again) in a thread elsewhere, about what amounts to a ‘fact’, when discussing a period with so relatively few of them available. Me asking an (I think an) author for at least one of them (and failing to get a reply other than what amounts to ‘everyone knows’) in response to their ‘it didn’t happen like that’, didn’t seem to sit well. Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

Anyway…'The Last Conquest's story begins with the Normans landing and coming ashore at Pevensey in Sussex on the 28th September and then covers the first weeks of their preparation, scouting, defense building and, well, basically waiting. Waiting for Harold and the English to turn up and settle matters. At first they don't know where he is, then they hear he's had to fight the Vikings up near York. But it takes a while until they are sure if he's won. Or lost. Maybe the Vikings have done their work for them. Maybe it’ll be the Vikings that make their way south to fight them for the throne. If the Vikings under Harald Hardrada actually know the Normans have landed at the other end of the country, that is. When the Normans do hear Harald Godwinson was successful in defeating Harald Hardrada, even before, they decide to sit and wait. But try to make sure when he does come their way, he comes the way they want him.

The opening short, sharp sections, reminded me of news bulletins. The sort based on ‘this news just coming in…from our reporter on the spot’ The sort of little snippets of gossip, based on overhearings and assumptions based on very little fact, which is actually what they had. Or didn’t. Because they couldn’t just ring up someone nearby where they wanted to know, or see it on the news at 6.00. ‘This just in…Harold has won at Stamford Bridge.’ In our modern world of instant communication, the internet and maps to hand wherever we are, it makes it difficult to think yourself back into the mind of an 11th Century person. With guesswork passing as maps and hard evidence actually rumour, based on often false deductions or just plain old-fashioned superstition and reading of body language. This feeling your way forward through a kind of fog of false information, Coates puts over very well indeed. The Normans (and the Britons really) could only be sure of what was going on in the area where they could patrol and at the start of the book, this is the area around Hastings and up to Senlac Hill, where the battle actually took place. Harold? Well, no one knew where he was, what he was doing or with whom. And neither did the Normans. You build up an idea of how little of an idea people, especially the ordinary local people that is, the people who would, perhaps, be most affected - had of what was going on. Snippets of information trying to put together pieces of a jigsaw for which no one had the final picture.

The book structure is excellent. A bubbling confusion of information coalescing into a plan and a waiting, leading to a final battle. Like how it must have been for the Normans with boots on the ground. Normans. If you know anything about the Norman Conquest, you'll know it was really The Norman and Others Conquest and that William was only a Duke, of a reasonably small province in what is now, but wasn’t then, France. He had to assemble and accept help and supplies, from wherever he could. That meant a lot of mercenaries, nationalities, opinions and of course tensions to keep a lid on. And a lot of money promised to all of the above. So, as the Norman scouts venture forth, putting out feelers and trying to discover what on earth is going on beyond the perimeter of their fortress, they naturally come into contact with the locals. This contact, its effects on both sides and its bearing on events leading up to the battle, is where most of the book takes place. In essence a series of domestic dramas set against the background of the Battle of Hastings. Which is sensible enough for the author, as it is the area where he/she can speculate and write their own drama, without having to shoehorn their ideas into the mould of what we actually do know happened. Now, to be honest, it does sometimes become a little disjointed here. Darting around, back and forth in time, often within the same paragraph, can make me wonder if I've got hold of the thread. And when you worry you haven't, it becomes more of a task to keep thinking 'who is he then, I thought I had his number’, than enjoying the story. I must admit that I more than once found myself mixing my Glberts and my Ralphs. I think I got control of the situation by the end. But then to be fair, the end section, the final third was just so perfectly done, I really didn’t mind the head scratching from earlier.

The final battle, the Battle of Hastings, does arrive, along with Harold, his Housecarls and the rest of the English, in the final 100-odd pages. Coates begins it as a kind of overview, of the tactical positionings and movements of troops and moves the action closer and closer to individuals fighting their way towards Harold and the apple tree at the top of Senlac Hill. It is, as befits the most pivotal event in English history, a fantastically good read. He does seem to write as if, while Harold was directed to the battle site by William, by stopping short, as it were, the English were actually better positioned when it came to deploying forces for the battle itself. Having visited the battle site, at the now cunningly titled 'Battle', I can 'see' how the Normans had an uphill fight in more ways than one. Of course, a familiar theme here: what did happen in the battle? I think I'm right in saying, no one really knows except it started, and it ended with William in the winners’ enclosure. But, it absolutely could have happened this way. It seems entirely logical to me to present it as happening the way Coates has it. Fits the facts as we have them. A simple plan of "we're up here, they're down there", of moves and probes like a chess game, an arrow and a smashing through the defences, then a hacking and a killing and a monumental upheaval of history. It could well have happened this way, it’s as valid as another theory (apart from the one saying the battle didn’t take place where it did). So why not?

If you're looking for a non-stop, action packed, blood and thunder variant of the Historical Fiction genre, then you're looking in the wrong place. It's more of a slow burner than that. I will admit to having had some doubts, some issues, underway, but in the end I found myself enjoying it more and more. By the end, as I'd become at ease with the characters and the style, I was sad to have finished, but glad because I'm looking forward to what may well be a follow up (as it could well be set before the events in this book, I'm not too sure what kind of animal is yet). Which I've taken the precaution of pre-ordering. So a tentative 3, finishing strongly with an action-packed 4.

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was extremely difficult to read. In my opinion, this is mainly doen to the jumps between characters, past and present events and locations. I found I that i was having to re-read 2 or 3 pages at a time to find out which character the plot was focussing on at any given time.

Another difficulty I had in maintaining an understanding of the story is due onto a lot of the names being very similar. I understand that characters based on actual people can not count in this way, but then why for the love of God, give their servants and minor characters similar names!?! There are 3 different countries at war, why do they all sound the same?!?

I was confused many times throughout the book when events and people were referred to as if I should know what the characters are talking about. Not the battles and conquests, that goes without saying, but the personal tragedies and circumstances of many of the characters felt as if they had been explained in previous book. I was surprised to find out then, that this is the authors first novel and there was indeed no prequel.

Maybe this was a deliberate move on the authors part and he has very nicely lined up plot points to be explored in sequels and prequels at a later date. In this case, it's an interesting tactic.

[Mark Stangroome · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a bad book but neither was it great. In parts it was very enjoyable but in others it seemed to lose its' way.
The premise of writing a 1066 based book was reasonable and using the perspective of some of the lesser lights of the battle and lead up to it was also sound. However the book fell between two stalls, if it had been a few hundred pages longer and looked deeper into the millers family for instance or the motivations of some of the Norman Earls, what they expected to get and how it would have improved upon what they had given that Britain was wet, cold and unruly with little by way of resources then it could have worked. Equally had it been shorter with fewer subplots which didn't seem to go anywhere ;such as Matthew or even Fulk then it may have been more gripping.
Altogether not bad, some good bits but the concept didn't seem to be fully fleshed out.

[Sevket Akyildiz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good read about the build-up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066; the work of the Norman scouts, and the mobilisation of the Norman forces at Hastings, Pevensey Bay, Norman's Bay is discussed. The characters are varied and engaging. The Saxon side of the story is very interesting, and the journey of King Harold down to the Battle creates atmosphere. The battle story is exemplary. However, the character of Matthew, the 'Turkish' doctor, is peculiar and seems out of place with the story that most of us know.

[Stuart Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost gave up with this one. For a while, I became lost and bored with the intrigues and constant oneupmanship of the Duke’s vassals. I also failed to understand the angst of Gilbert initially and so did not warm to one of the book’s main characters. Having gone off the boil with this story early on, I came back to it several weeks later with a renewed determination to see it through. Ultimately I am glad that I did. There are a lot of characters to get to know in this story and Berwick Coates does a fine job of knitting their various plot lines together.

[Brian Kinsella · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent story. The build to the big battle had some interesting characters, plots, and build itself to the big event. The prose/writing style was very dramatic and very well done. However, far too much mind hopping without much on the way of page breaks made it difficult to know whose head you are in when reading. This was especially the case in the battle itself which, given the rapid nature of a battle's nature, was very messy and not at all fun to follow.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

a wonderful telling of the Battle of Hastings and the probable events that happened before the actual battle took place.
the happenings in the book are likely to have happened and help the story to flow so well.
it is remarkable how different the plot of the book is compared to what we learn in general at school and in other books.

[Dawn Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book; do like historical interest books, especially when they have been well researched. I enjoyed this as it was from the invaders’ points of view. Good to see the contrast in how different captains work.

[Steve Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very long novel set around the Battle of Hastings. Whilst the story concerns individual characters affected in different ways by the battle it is also a fascinating insight into how armies prepared for battle and the phenomenal logistics involved.

[Jan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

[Ashley Vaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars is generous for what is a long, turgid and one-dimensional read. I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt because I’ve read it at a particularly exhausting season in my life.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about one of the two epic battles fought for the English crown in the year 1066.

"Sussex, October 1066. On a hilltop stands a solitary wizened grey apple tree. Here two armies - Norman and Saxon - will face one another... A battle for honour. A battle for survival. A battle for England."

This was Berwick Coates's first novel but he has since written another one about the other battle for the crown in 1066, entitled "The Last Viking, 1066". N.B. Although he wrote 'The Last Viking' later, the events described actually pre-date those within this book so I would recommend reading 'The Last Viking' first

I really enjoyed both Coates's books. They are gripping, informative, very thoroughly researched and I felt I could really engage with the characters. My favourite character was probably Taillefer, a minstrel from the Norman camp, who gets into a lot of mischief, drinks a lot and eats far too many onions! Reminded me very much of Friar Tuck!

Obviously with a work of historical fiction it is hard for the story to keep you guessing - obviously because you would know if you knew your history which side would win and who should be alive at the end. Having said this, Coates writes so cleverly that the suspense keeps your page turning and the reader caught up in the heat of the battles as if it was being fought out there and then rather than having been already mapped out as historical record.

My favourite parts of the book however were surprisingly not any of the high drama battle scenes but some of the more quiet, intimate moments - for example there is a scene early on in the novel where a young Norman scout named Gilbert is taken ill and has a nasty fall from his horse whilst out looking for the Saxon army. He is found unconscious by a group of Saxons, who instead of murdering him as an enemy spy nurse him back to health and a bond forms between them all that will see them entwined together throughout the book, even beyond the final battle for the throne.

The only thing that disappointed me slightly was that the book was weighted more towards the Norman camp. We see a lot of the Saxon peasantry and low ranking soldiers, but I felt it was lacking in episodes within Harold's presence and I would have liked to see more from his side [However, we do see a lot more of Harold in 'The Last Viking' which is some consolation].

I'd definitely recommend Berwick Coates's books to fans of historical fiction and those interested in the Viking/Saxon/Norman period. I have passed the books on to my partner who loved the Viking TV series aired on Amazon Prime so fans of that show may also enjoy these books. All in all a very good read and I will be keeping my eye out for more works by this author.

[Philip · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never judge a book by it's cover the old saying goes.

In this case I did exactly that (he says twisting the old maxim to is own design) and bought this on the basis of the cover. Alright, it was more than that really.

We all know that anything featuring saxon/norman helmets and back lit battle scenes on the cover is bound to be good, right ?

Wrong.

This isn't Cornwell. OR Napier. Or Scarrow or even Lynch.

No, this is a debut novel by a new writer. Trouble is, the subject matter. 1066's been done to death. We all know the story by now. We all know the Harold-arrow-in-the-eye thing was what we read as schoolboys back in the 60's and 70's was total fiction. Modern smartarse historians say that Hastings wasn't even fought at Hastings.

Mr Ralph (Coates, a Tottenham joke only my brother would get) presents the top and bottom of the Norman invasion force, all waiting for the dunderhead Harold coming south after giving Hardrada a seeing to.

Halfway through the rather predictable 'will he won't he burn this Saxon barn because they saved him when he fell off his horse' wanes after a quarter way through and just gets plain boring half way through.

That is where I stopped. I was so bored of the whole damn thing, I stopped. I rarely stop halfway through a book like that. I usually decide after 10 plus pages weather I'm going to like it/finish or not. But this was just so dull. None of the characters, even including dead eye dick Gilbert of Anjou or somesuch, the Bastard himself or the lecherous scarred Fulk head of the mercenary contingent registered with me. Poor old Harold Godwinson barely gets a look in.

So I never got as far as the battle itself. I don't even feel cheated about that. We all know what happened and this was a poor fictional retell that was unnecessary.

Do yourself a favour, give this a miss and stick to Cornwell or Kane for the axe weilding stuff and Ralph, a good try, but pick a different historical period next time, ok ?

[Jeff Frane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coates sets out to humanize Saxons and Normans in the days leading up to the Battle of Hastings. Unfortunately, he brings in a huge cast of characters and everyone of them takes their turn as the POV character, and the result is a complete muddle. There is little if any difference in each character's perceptions or observations and the problem is compounded by Coates' habit of switching POV constantly, sometimes with multiple characters on a single page, and there is rarely any clear moment of transition.

I gave this three stars primarily because the book is somewhat redeemed by Coates' descriptions of the actual battle. He paints the scenes well and the character transitions are easier to take.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this after getting through a few chapters. It is a very original take on this famous event as the author has told the story sequentially through a set of characters on both sides of the battle. When you finally meet the English king in the narrative via one of the characters it is really thrilling and special because it comes well into the book and you kind of exoected it to happen sooner given his importance, but this cleverly adds to the moment - like you are there!

Of course most people know the result but the author makes you hope that all those historians were wrong; sadly they wern't!

[Scott Gardner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of the book were interesting , some just plain boring.
Too much build up , not enough action
Character of Gilbert was just so boring , the author obviously assumed his honour was very interesting storyline , I just wanted the first arrow of the fight to hit him .
The character Bruno summed him up perfectly , " the boy is a loser " Pity the author didn't listen to Bruno himself

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled to get into this book. Would have to often flick back to remember who was who and what was happening. Lost interest early on.

[Greg Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did this as an audiobook. Dr Leo Dalton did a great job. The story wasn't profound vut it was engaging.