History of William the Conqueror

by Jacob Abbott

William the Conqueror of England, also known as William the First, was Duke of Normandy (France) from 1035 and King of England from 1066 to his death.

To claim the English crown, William invaded England in 1066, leading an army of Normans to victory over the Anglo-Saxon forces of Harold Godwinson -who died in the conflict - at the Battle of Hastings, and suppressed subsequent English revolts in what has become known as the Norman Conquest.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, British Literature, Medieval, Military History, France

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1849

About the author

Abbott was born at Hallowell, Maine to Jacob and Betsey Abbott. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820; studied at Andover Theological Seminary in 1821, 1822, and 1824; was tutor in 1824-1825, and from 1825 to 1829 was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Amherst College; was licensed to preach by the Hampshire Association in 1826; founded the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston in 1829, and was principal of it in 1829-1833; was pastor of Eliot Congregational Church (which he founded), at Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1834-1835; and was, with his brothers, a founder, and in 1843-1851 a principal of Abbott's Institute, and in 1845-1848 of the Mount Vernon School for Boys, in New York City.

He was a prolific author, writing juvenile fiction, brief histories, biographies, religious books for the general reader, and a few works in popular science. He died in Farmington, Maine, where he had spent part of his time after 1839, and where his brother, Samuel Phillips Abbott, founded the Abbott School.

His Rollo Books, such as Rollo at Work, Rollo at Play, Rollo in Europe, etc., are the best known of his writings, having as their chief characters a representative boy and his associates. In them Abbott did for one or two generations of young American readers a service not unlike that performed earlier, in England and America, by the authors of Evenings at Home, The History of Sandford and Merton, and the The Parent's Assistant.
Fewacres in 1906, Abbott's residence at Farmington, Maine

His brothers, John S.C. Abbott and Gorham Dummer Abbott, were also authors. His sons, Benjamin Vaughan Abbott, Austin Abbott, both eminent lawyers, Lyman Abbott, and Edward Abbott, a clergyman, were also well-known authors.

Reviews

[``Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After watching the TV series "Vikings" on the cable TV History Channel, I've been wanting to learn more about the Vikings and the Norman conquest.

I'd been avoiding the Normans for many years now, especially after what happened to the Saxon King, Harold Godwinson, - every inch a king until he met his end at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

I've read that even to this day in England, flowers are left at the battlefield in memory of the fallen Saxon hero and King.

Then to top it off, one of my favorite novels of historical fiction Ivanhoe where the vicious Normans oppressed poor Ivanhoe and the Saxon's so cruelly soon had me despising these brutes even more.

When I started reading this biography of King William I soon observed that the author of this book was having the time of his life telling the reader all about William and his times while quickly covering the material at a good pace.

I noticed that some of the words he used were rather ancient; such as embassador instead of ambassador and phrenzy instead of frenzy, leading me to discover that this book was written in 1849 by an American author, Jacob Abbott. No wonder his writing style wasn't stiff and formal and read more like a novel.

The more I read I soon realized that the Conqueror was an amazing and talented man and that his rise to the very heights of power, even though he was illegitimate, was not due to luck at all but due to the fact that he was head and shoulders above his contemporaries.

William's life was so similar to his great-grandson's, King Henry II of England, that I found it downright uncanny. Like William, Henry was always on the road governing his vast holdings in France and England, while facing family problems at home.

William's sons lacked gratitude - the same as Henry's, with William's oldest son and heir doing all he could to steal the Dukedom of Normandy from his father by starting one uprising after another when his father was ruling England. William wisely refused to split his kingdom whether his heir liked that or not.

The fact that William was still a kind father to his rebellious son, unable to punish his traitorous heir severely, gives evidence to his strong affection for his family.

I've rated this book about William, the Conqueror of England the descendant of Rollo the Viking, 5 stars, since I found this book such a learning and delightful experience. It would be perfect for those wanting to learn more about the Norman era.

[Therese · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book I knew absolutely nothing about William the Conqueror except his name and the date of 1066. I was hesitant about reading this book because it was written over 100 years ago, and I must confess that the author looked like a stodgy old professor that would have written something very dry. I was wrong and glad of it! There really isn't much more I can say about William that probably hasn't been said before, but I do want to read about Matilda, William Rufus, Henry I, and before I start on those, I want to read the book that Marilyn suggested about the Bayeux Tapestry because I can't imagine how a whole book could be written about a piece of tapestry.

[Carol Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read much about William the Conqueror, but it took Jacob Abbott to explain how the geography and weather patterns of the English Channel influenced 1066.

The line of coast on the southern side of the Channel, which forms, of course, the northern border of Normandy, is a range of cliffs, which are almost perpendicular toward the sea, and which frown forbiddingly upon every ship that sails along the shore. Here and there, it is true, a river opens a passage for itself among these cliffs from the interior, and these river mouths would form harbors into which ships might enter from the offing, were it not that the northwestern winds prevail so generally, and drive such of a continual swell of rolling surges in upon the shore, that they choke up all these estuary openings, as well as every natural indentation of the land, with shoals and bars of sand and shingle.

Aha! This explains why it was necessary to build "moles" (a causeway or pier) during WWII. (A large part of the Dunkirk evacuation.)

Another I-never-knew-that fact: The Normans brought pre-fabricated forts with them so they could erect them as soon as they found a place on the English shore. !!!! 1066!!!

Abbott's commentaries add interest. Brothers are seldom friends in families where there is a crown to be contended for. His phrases tickle the ear... e.g. frenzy of vengeance.

William's story is ultimately a sad one. He conquers a kingdom but, like Israel's King David, ends up in combat with his own son. His death and the final disposition of his body is truly grim.

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is most certainly an old day Ivory Tower approach to this writing. The book has a copyright year of 1899; however, the author passed away in 1879. This merely suggests that one of the children later did the smart thing and protected the work accordingly. The Ivory Tower of this written style is still much different from today’s “Ivory Tower.” Cynicism is nearly all but none existent; however, it makes still for an uneven balance of many that had next to no education at all of the time frame. I can only speculate that this book was written after the American War Between the States. This said, the author was a professor in a North Eastern American location and a graduate of Bowdoin University. He was born and died in the State of Maine. Adding to the fact that the Southern States of the time were rampaged, pillaged, and later visited by Carpet Baggers too ready to sell it out still for more makes one ponder just “who” the audience was for this book and series that he wrote. I can also speculate these may have been popular in the North Eastern USA; but, don’t fully see a global impact here – even for the time frame.

The author had obviously no understanding of a soldier’s life and existence – where technology of warfare has changed over the centuries – the basic soldier remains the same, and always will. I am speaking of the Infantry related soldier and not the Support Personnel in the safe zones – also known as REMF. On page 46 and 47 the author seems to have removed all ability of human imagination – again keep in mind this was written sometime before his death in 1879:

“It is difficult for us, at this day, to conceive how destitute of all the ordinary means of comfort and enjoyment, in comparison with a modern dwelling, the ancient feudal castles must have been. They were placed in situations as nearly inaccessible as possible, and the natural impediments of approach were increased by walls, and gates, and ditches, and draw-bridges. The door of access was often a window in the wall, ten or fifteen feet from the ground, to which the inmates or their friends mounted by ladder. The floors were of stone, the walls were naked, the ceiling was a rudely-constructed series of arches. The apartments, too, were ordinarily small, and were arranged one above another, in the successive stories of a tower. Nor could these cell-like chambers be enlivened by the wide and cheerful windows of modern times, which not only admit the light to animate the scene within, but also afford to the spectator there, wide-spread and sometimes enchanting views of the surrounding country. The castle windows of ancient days were, on the contrary, narrow loop-holes, each at the bottom of deep recess in the thick wall. If they had been made wide they would have admitted too easily the arrows and javelins of besiegers, as well as wind and rain of the wintery storms. There were no books in these desolate dwellings, no furniture but armor, NO PLEASURES BUT DRINKING AND CAROUSELS.” (Capitalized letters are my emphasis.)

This above paragraph then sets the tone for the next – the low life “lack of employment” Knights and Barons to which it reads as follows:

“Nor could these noble and valiant knights and barons occupy themselves in any useful employment. There was nothing which it was respectable for them to do but fight. They looked down with contempt upon all the industrial pursuits of life. The cultivation of farms, the rearing of flocks and herds, arts, manufactures, and commerce – everything of this sort, by which man can benefit his fellow-man, was entirely beneath them. In fact, to the present day, even in England, entertain the same ideas. Their younger sons can enter the army or the navy, and their lives killing and destroying, or in awaiting idleness, dissipation, and vice for orders to kill and destroy, without dishonor; but to engage in any way in those vast and magnificent operations of peaceful industry, on which the true greatness and glory of England depend, would be perpetual and irretrievable disgrace. A young nobleman can serve, in the most subordinate official capacity, on board a man-of-war, and take pay for it, without degradation; but build a man-of-war itself and take pay for it, would be to compel his whole class to disown him.” For veterans of combat (even Union Forces for this same era to which it was written) is simply hilarious – this felt like a pompous explanation as “why you don’t want to be a Knight of History” but again “who” was the audience for this sort of work? The French Foreign Legion – then – as – now, still force the first term enlistees to NOT have a checking account, do NOT get married, and are free to get into the occasional drunken brawls – show me a male soldier who doesn’t like chasing a skirt and I’ll show you a soldier that should be doing exactly what this author states is “honorable.” From a field Jarhead perspective, I couldn’t help but bust a gut on this passage.

For all of the Ivory Tower approach applied to this work, I can say that his description and admiration for Queen Matilda was descriptive and endearing – he seems to have had a special place of thought for her. The description of the Battle of Hastings was a little disappointing but not for the poetic application of being “aghast” that heads were missing and dead soldiers couldn’t be recognized by their friends.

After reading the Marc Morris book The Norman Conquest, followed by the David Bates William the Conqueror my reassessed value of this book gets 3 stars – this book will certainly outlive my existence and memory as it has already survived 140-150 years. I can honestly say however, I will not be reading any more from this author; and, yet – I am still happy to have read this book when I did.

[Miltos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the biography of man who lived in the 11th century, written by a man who lived in the 19th century. That perspective makes it an interesting read, IMO much more than the actual biography of a medieval warlord. For this I gave it a 4-star rating.

Abbott, a very popular American writer in his day, makes an effort to explain the mindsets, customs and motivations of his medieval Norman characters to his contemporary audience, which was made up largely of somewhat ignorant (compared to modern audiences) male readers. There are plenty of sexist and borderline racist remarks in the narrative, all wrapped up in pseudo-scientific reasoning. There is disregard for quoting sources and there are obvious liberties with the historical facts and the characters' motives. All that feels awkward to the modern reader. But if you read it in context, that is, through the eyes of a Victorian man, it hints to the self-assuredness of the industrial revolution and how western civilization celebrated itself and its past. In other words, this biography tells a lot about the biographer and his era and that makes it a worthwhile read.

A side bonus is the extensive description of the countyside of Normandy of the 19th century. Abbott writes about places like Caen and how they looked to the eyes of a 19th century traveller, that is, before everything was levelled in 1944..!

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a history book, this is a highly entertaining read. Jacob Abbot has a way of keeping the take on this particular period in time interesting. The book starts by telling the reader a little bit about Rollo, and how the Vikings were able to capture such a prominent bit of land as Normandy. The succession continues until it rests upon William, and then it maps out William's beginnings, all the way through his death. If you are a reader who is interested in the exploits of Nordsmen or like to study French and English history, or just like to read about real people who did amazing things, this is a must-read.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read... Being related to the Conqueror this was a must read... I was not disappointed. It was an excellent tale of his accomplishments and his wife and family.

[Julie Yates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in 1849, this is the Norman Conquest as told by your garrulous Grandfather. This is a 3 only because I don't take it seriously and it's an enjoyable read! Composed in an extremely engaging style, filled with every salacious rumor (including several actual falsehoods) and no documentation. (Kind of like Thomas Costain books!) So you are treated to fabulous lines such as

“ Rollo seems not to have considered this banishment as any great calamity, since, far from interrupting his career of privacy and plunder, it only widened the field on which he was to pursue it.”

and

After Robert (William’s father) overthrew his older brother Richard III to become the new Duke of Normandy: “Robert, of course, succeeded his brother, and then, with the characteristic inconsistency of selfishness and ambition, he employed all the power of his realm and helping the king of France to subdue his younger brother who was evincing the same spirit of seditiousness and insubmission that he had himself displayed."

Or

“Nor could these noble and valiant knights and barons occupy themselves in any useful employment; there was nothing which it was respectable for them to do but to fight. … it was in consequence of this state of feeling among the knights and barons of Williams day that peace was always tedious and irksome to them, and they were never contented except when engaged in battles and campaigns.”

Anyway, it’s a brief, amusing, and partially fictitious introduction to the life of William the Conqueror, light on facts with no footnotes but with abundant amusing stories and asides. So definitely don't make this the only book you read about William (!!) but it does give an easy overview.

I did like this paragraph from the conclusion!
“The work of incorporating the Norman and English families in with one another, and fusing the two languages into one required about a century for its full accomplishment; And when at last was accomplished, the people of England were somewhat puzzled to know whether they ought to feel proud of William’s exploits in the conquest of England, or humiliated by them. So far as they were themselves descended from the Normans, the conquest was one of glorious deeds of their ancestors. So far as they were of English parentage, it would seem to be incumbent on them to mourn over their fathers’ defeat … The Norman conquest occupies, therefore, a very uncertain and equivocal position in English history, the various modern writers who look back to it now being hardly able to determine whether they are to regard it as a mortifying subjugation is there ancestors suffered, or a glorious victory which they gained."

[Nola Tillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I have to start this review with a caveat on how I read that shouldn't make you think badly of the book. I used my Amazon Echo to have Alexa computer-read it, since it is available for free on Kindle. I selected this book because it was fairly old and, I assumed, would be dry and help me fall asleep. Set my sleep time from 15-20 minutes and let her read. I'll admit, the process worked; it was not animated enough (like an audio book would be) to keep me energized or page turning, and though I've long struggled with sleep problems, I often fell asleep within 15 minutes, when I usually spend an hour or two tossing and turning.

All of that said, there were plenty of times I actually laughed out loud at this book. Things like how William's ancestor danced around giving allegiance to the king of France by having his vassal do it for him - and then his vassal made such an elaborate display that the French king fell over. There were a handful of other stories in here, as well.

The language is dated, for sure, and definitely stiffer than I'm used to in general, but it's also more fluid than many nonfiction histories I've read over the last few years. It's hard to gauge precisely because I had a stilted robot-voice reading - it's really just text-to-speech. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had picked up the book and actually read it. Certainly I would have enjoyed it more than I gave it credit for - I really did select it because I thought it would put me out quickly.

I can't vouch for the historical accuracy, because I don't see any footnotes, but it was a good read, well written and interesting. Abbot provided far more than a list of names and dates and historical documents. He infused the historical figures with character that does make me suspect his accuracy but certainly made for good reading.

[Stifynsemons · Rating 2 out of 5]

This history of William the Conqueror provides a thorough grounding in the tales surrounding his life, but leaves one wondering how much is true and what is legend, myth, or fabrication. Curiously, far more time is spent on the lead-up to and followup after the Battle of Hastings than the actual battle itself.

Among many allusions to the Victorian times it was written, this book provides an amusing comparison between the luxury of modern times (circa 1849) versus the rough living of the 900's and 1000's, and the author cannot seem to make up his mind whether to extol the greatness of the characters described or decry their barbarism. He also treats it more like a series of essays than an engaging narrative. But in the end, he ponders whether the English should be ashamed they were conquered or proud of their conquering ancestors. It is a good question.

[Mallory Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this on my shelf for awhile (I stole it from my mom during a trip home years ago). I finally read it when I got back from visiting the UK and wanted to learn more about William the Conqueror.

I wish I had read it sooner! It's a very enjoyable read. I like history books, but even those who usually struggle with them or find them dry will probably like this. It's well-paced, a good length and chock-full of interesting info.

I highlighted passages as I went, so probably won't end up returning it to my mom, as I want to revisit some of the quotes at a later date (sorry, Mom!). 4.25 stars.

(Side note: I was surprised to discover that it was written in the 1800s!)

[Mark Bennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best history book I've ever read. I was hooked from the first chapter. Abbott provides minimal commentary but when he does, it is thoughtful and engaging. I will be reading the rest of his body of work and I anticipate it is the same quality. Would strongly recommend giving this a read!

[Jack Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good History Lesson

I found this an interesting read. We all grew up and learned of William the Great. Having stayed in Bayeaux and observed the tapestry this book puts a better understanding of the tapestry and the history of William the Great.
JM

[Billye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful history of William the Conqueror from his early days in Normandy, France to his invasion of England in 1066. I usually read historical fiction but this book makes me want to read more history books about family people. I would highly recommend it.

[Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

If one wants to get through a history lesson quickly, yet know all the important points, Jacob Abbott is your man.

[Gary Pointon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, informative. The language was a bit to poetic and flowery, thus making it a bit difficult to follow. That, along with very long sentences.

[Nick Artrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little thrown because this was an unresearched purchase and I thought it was shockingly outdated in attitude....and then I saw when when this was published. *face palm*

[Cherie Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story of one ruler in two domains

A lot of detail on how one third generation Norman became by hook or by crook became the king of a Saxon land.

[wally walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative account of a well known person about who we know very well but not personally

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started on this book without bothering to read anything about the author, Jacob Abbott, nor the year it was published. Used to more conversational historical storytelling, I found the writing stiff and perfunctory, as if I were reading an entry from an encyclopedia. By page 13 I was perplexed by his description of the Danes' spirit of adventure. "In these days they evince the same energy, and endure equal privations and hardships, in hunting whales in the Pacific Ocean; in overrunning India, and seizing its sources of wealth and power; or in sallying forth, whole fleets of adventurers at a time, to go more than half round the globe, to dig for gold in California." Dig for gold in California? A quick look back confirmed my confirmed my suspicions--this was written once upon a time--copyright says 1899. When the sun had yet to set on the British empire, and the California gold rush in full swing.

What Abbott book provides the reader here is a brief, but well chronicled historical documentation on William the Conqueror.* He starts out with cursory introductions to William's forebears, but eventually shifts to a more engaging narration when he gets to William. But unlike today's selections of historical profiles, no family tree is provided, so I guess that's something I'll have to read up on, as I'm curious to know how those sons fared, and who among their progeny inherited their ancestor's enterprise for conquest. Then, as now, good looks gets you a leg up. And William must have been quite the aesthetically blessed specimen of a man. Abbott repeatedly describes him as a beautiful child, as "the courtiers were very much struck with the beauty and noble bearing of the boy." As a strapping young man "the soldiers were pleased to see how handsome their young commander was in form, and how finely he could ride." But aesthetics aside, I don't think I've encountered a character that matches the strength and courage, the audacity, and the extreme good fortune of William--except in fiction. But "ambitious men, who devote their time and attention, through all the early years of life, to their personal and political aggrandizement, have little time to appropriate to the government and education of their children." William and his queen Matilda struggled, in the last decade or so of their lives, with the problem of having three disagreeable sons: Robert, William Rufus, and Henry. William's good fortune waned as he aged, and his death--from what I understand to be internal bleeding caused by a hit on his saddle's pommel when his horse reared in Mantes--almost satirical. But more ignominy was to follow, and events immediately following his death are quite mortifying. The decomposing William the Conqueror, having barely snagged a final resting place, just explodes.

* Did King Edward really promise William the throne of England? Abbott quotes William at his deathbed saying "As for my kingdom of England, I bequeath it to no one, for it was not bequeathed to me. I acquired it by force, and at the price of blood."

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as I did the Cleopatra biography in the same series but it was pretty good. I learned a lot about William's personal life but the writer seemed to gloss over some major things like the Battle of Hastings in just a few lines. That was kind of surprising because Hastings could be called William's crowning achievement.

All told, worth reading for the history buff but not light reading and not something that I would read without a reason unless you're like me and just soak up history like a sponge. If you're doing a paper on William this is worth checking out and using as a resource.

[Scott Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this volume in the Abbott history collection as I was not terribly familiar with this particular period or personage. Like many of Abbott's other collections, it is a sympathetic reading of history. It spent a fair amount of time in the build up and in setting the page, but given the twists and turns of the characters involved it was evidently necessary.

[Greg Bailey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent basic account of the life of William and his conquest of Britain, but the book was written about a hundred years ago and reflects its time in some ways. The writing is somewhat florid and includes occasional generalizations about the peoples of the time. A more contemporary biography of William would almost certainly be superior.

[Ted Haussman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise history of William the Conqueror that gave me a good sense of the man, the times and the politics. I like Abbott's biographies because they are short and sweet and, despite his editoializing at times, he provides a lot of good factual or primary source information.

[Richard Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

the description of the battle of Hastings alone makes this a very good read. The story of William and how he populated England with Normans just makes it that much better. a good read for any student of English history.

[Bagalzuur · Rating 3 out of 5]

in mongolian....

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read this book for a second time. Very good description of the politics surrounding William's life. Abbott never ceases to inform and amaze.

[Courtney Conant · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history was very interesting but the way it was told jumped around a lot and made the first half a bit hard to follow.