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1066: A Guide to the Battles and the Campaigns
The Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, changed the course of English history. This most famous moment of the Norman Conquest was recorded in graphic detail in the threads of the Bayeux Tapestry, providing a priceless glimpse into a brutal conflict.
In this fresh look at the battle and its surrounding campaigns, leading medieval military historians Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries combine the imagery of the tapestry with the latest modern investigative research to reveal the story of Hastings as it has never been told and guide visitors around the battlefield today.
This absorbing new account of the battle will be fascinating reading for anyone keen to find out what really happened in 1066: the journeys by which Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy came to the battlefield, and the latest reconstructions of the course of the fighting on that momentous day. It is also a practical, easy-to-use guide for visitors to the sites associated with the conquest as well as the Hastings battlefield itself.
In this fresh look at the battle and its surrounding campaigns, leading medieval military historians Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries combine the imagery of the tapestry with the latest modern investigative research to reveal the story of Hastings as it has never been told and guide visitors around the battlefield today.
This absorbing new account of the battle will be fascinating reading for anyone keen to find out what really happened in 1066: the journeys by which Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy came to the battlefield, and the latest reconstructions of the course of the fighting on that momentous day. It is also a practical, easy-to-use guide for visitors to the sites associated with the conquest as well as the Hastings battlefield itself.
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2021
51 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Michael Livingston
55 books235 followersA native of Colorado, Michael Livingston holds degrees in History, Medieval Studies, and English. He lives today in Charleston, South Carolina, where he teaches at The Citadel.
In his author life, he is a winner of the prestigious international Writers of the Future Contest (in 2005), and his novel SHARDS OF HEAVEN, the first in a trilogy of historical fantasies, will be published by Tor Books in November 2015. He has also published in a variety of other genres and venues, from a historical retelling of BEOWULF to a brief story about quantum physics in the world-renowned journal of science, NATURE.
In his academic life, he has published more than a dozen articles on subjects as varied as early Christianity, BEOWULF, Chaucer, James Joyce, J.R.R. Tolkien, and digital and practical pedagogies (though never all of them at once!). He has investigated European maps of America that pre-date Columbus, found unrecorded Anasazi ruins and artifacts, and written about the handwriting of fourteenth-century scribes. He is the general editor of the Liverpool Historical Casebooks Series, for which he has edited casebooks on the Battle of Brunanburh (Exeter, 2011), the Welsh rebel hero Owain Glyndwr (co-edited with John Bollard; Liverpool, 2013), and, coming soon, the Battle of Crécy (co-edited with Kelly DeVries; 2015).
In his author life, he is a winner of the prestigious international Writers of the Future Contest (in 2005), and his novel SHARDS OF HEAVEN, the first in a trilogy of historical fantasies, will be published by Tor Books in November 2015. He has also published in a variety of other genres and venues, from a historical retelling of BEOWULF to a brief story about quantum physics in the world-renowned journal of science, NATURE.
In his academic life, he has published more than a dozen articles on subjects as varied as early Christianity, BEOWULF, Chaucer, James Joyce, J.R.R. Tolkien, and digital and practical pedagogies (though never all of them at once!). He has investigated European maps of America that pre-date Columbus, found unrecorded Anasazi ruins and artifacts, and written about the handwriting of fourteenth-century scribes. He is the general editor of the Liverpool Historical Casebooks Series, for which he has edited casebooks on the Battle of Brunanburh (Exeter, 2011), the Welsh rebel hero Owain Glyndwr (co-edited with John Bollard; Liverpool, 2013), and, coming soon, the Battle of Crécy (co-edited with Kelly DeVries; 2015).
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 11, 2020
thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review
This book gives an overview of the 3 battle events of 1066 Fulford gate , Stamford bridge and Hastings and you don't really have to be a historian to understand the book as its written in language which can be understood by a lay person. the book lays out events and history leading to 1066 as well.
This book gives an overview of the 3 battle events of 1066 Fulford gate , Stamford bridge and Hastings and you don't really have to be a historian to understand the book as its written in language which can be understood by a lay person. the book lays out events and history leading to 1066 as well.
November 2, 2020
A well researched and easy to read entry into the period immediately before, during and after the Norman Invasion of England in 1066.
Written so that even someone with no knowledge of events can follow, Livingston and DeVries provide ample information without overwhelming the reader with a vast amount of information. What they do provide is an analysis of the events, battles and key players, whilst using separate text boxes for other key subject matters (ie: weapons, armies, tactics, etc). Each chapter includes or is finished with what the authors term as a "tour" of places and structures pivotal to the events.
The narrative is written simply yet informatively, utilising known chroniclers, the sagas, archaeological evidence, photos and maps to gently guide the reader. An extensive reading list concludes.
Definitely a book to be considered as a primer or introductory text for the Norman Invasion of 1066.
Written so that even someone with no knowledge of events can follow, Livingston and DeVries provide ample information without overwhelming the reader with a vast amount of information. What they do provide is an analysis of the events, battles and key players, whilst using separate text boxes for other key subject matters (ie: weapons, armies, tactics, etc). Each chapter includes or is finished with what the authors term as a "tour" of places and structures pivotal to the events.
The narrative is written simply yet informatively, utilising known chroniclers, the sagas, archaeological evidence, photos and maps to gently guide the reader. An extensive reading list concludes.
Definitely a book to be considered as a primer or introductory text for the Norman Invasion of 1066.
May 4, 2021
1066 was truly the year that changed history in England, and this book takes a fresh look at the battles, giving the reader a deeper look into the campaigns.
With the tides turning, there is a lot of information that can easily feel overwhelming, but the authors take and break it down to where anyone, regardless of their knowledge of 1066 can understand and appreciate. If you appreciate history, and military maneuvers, then you are going to love this take on the campaigns that brought England a new king, and gave birth to a tapestry that is still talked about! Dive into the Bayeux Tapestry, the battles, and the men who fought the campaigns of 1066.
Perfect for a weekend read!
With the tides turning, there is a lot of information that can easily feel overwhelming, but the authors take and break it down to where anyone, regardless of their knowledge of 1066 can understand and appreciate. If you appreciate history, and military maneuvers, then you are going to love this take on the campaigns that brought England a new king, and gave birth to a tapestry that is still talked about! Dive into the Bayeux Tapestry, the battles, and the men who fought the campaigns of 1066.
Perfect for a weekend read!
October 10, 2020
An exceptional retelling of a pivotal moment in history. Incredibly well researched, the authors offer new information and insights even to those who are familiar with the Battle of Hastings. The writing itself is clear and accessible to any reader with an interest, avoiding academic pretensions which sometimes come with very focused history books.
March 8, 2021
Who hasn’t heard of 1066 and the Battle of Hastings, the foundational battle in English history? And do we really need another book on it? Well, if two notable medieval historians are writing that book, then perhaps we do need to take notice. This is also an unusual little pocket-sized book designed for you to carry around on the five guided tours contained within, all of them relating to this most famous medieval campaign.
A colourful description of the end of Hastings draws us into this book before the authors fill in the background to William of Normandy’s invasion of England to secure the throne he claimed was rightfully his. With the stage set, they embark on their first tour: the origins of the conqueror. The tours in the book are preceded by the relevant background story, then the authors list all the best stops to complete their story, describing architectural, geographic, and cultural points of interest along the way. The other tours follow the Norwegian invasion that sapped much of the Anglo-Saxon strength over two battles; William’s landing and his road to Hastings; the fateful Battle of Hastings; and the victorious William’s march on London. The authors provide a helpful further reading list for when the reader is not on one of their tours.
1066 A Guide to the Battles and the Campaigns presents a straightforward narrative of these pivotal events in English history. That includes, however, vignettes on sources, some of the main players, archaeological artefacts, feudalism, aspects of medieval warfare, and other cultural notes that flesh out the context for the campaigns and battle. The book is also lavishly illustrated with colour photographs of locations, and it almost goes without saying that scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry are sprinkled throughout the text. All in all, this is an excellent little primer on 1066 and a first-class resource for those that want to follow in the footsteps of the victor and the vanquished.
A colourful description of the end of Hastings draws us into this book before the authors fill in the background to William of Normandy’s invasion of England to secure the throne he claimed was rightfully his. With the stage set, they embark on their first tour: the origins of the conqueror. The tours in the book are preceded by the relevant background story, then the authors list all the best stops to complete their story, describing architectural, geographic, and cultural points of interest along the way. The other tours follow the Norwegian invasion that sapped much of the Anglo-Saxon strength over two battles; William’s landing and his road to Hastings; the fateful Battle of Hastings; and the victorious William’s march on London. The authors provide a helpful further reading list for when the reader is not on one of their tours.
1066 A Guide to the Battles and the Campaigns presents a straightforward narrative of these pivotal events in English history. That includes, however, vignettes on sources, some of the main players, archaeological artefacts, feudalism, aspects of medieval warfare, and other cultural notes that flesh out the context for the campaigns and battle. The book is also lavishly illustrated with colour photographs of locations, and it almost goes without saying that scenes from the Bayeux Tapestry are sprinkled throughout the text. All in all, this is an excellent little primer on 1066 and a first-class resource for those that want to follow in the footsteps of the victor and the vanquished.
January 21, 2025
Nice Guide to William the Conqueror and Hastings
Very informative book on Hastings and the events leading up to it with information for tours of the various sites mentioned in the book.
What I enjoyed the most is the Authors questioning of the sources, which IMO is the way to do it. We weren't there, but how do we know William of Poitier was, and if he was, what kind of bias did he have? He tells where he gets his info from whether it's contradicted by another source and then tells what most likely happened.
My criticism for this book is I found myself forgetting and getting lost between all the names and figures presented. Between Harold and Harald, I re read at least a chapters worth of pages, among other old English names that are pretty close for me to question exactly who is referenced without me backtracking. What the Author could do about this: I don't know it's probably more of a me failing, so I'm not going to dock and points for that.
Very informative book on Hastings and the events leading up to it with information for tours of the various sites mentioned in the book.
What I enjoyed the most is the Authors questioning of the sources, which IMO is the way to do it. We weren't there, but how do we know William of Poitier was, and if he was, what kind of bias did he have? He tells where he gets his info from whether it's contradicted by another source and then tells what most likely happened.
My criticism for this book is I found myself forgetting and getting lost between all the names and figures presented. Between Harold and Harald, I re read at least a chapters worth of pages, among other old English names that are pretty close for me to question exactly who is referenced without me backtracking. What the Author could do about this: I don't know it's probably more of a me failing, so I'm not going to dock and points for that.
June 18, 2024
March Through History
A fantastic walkthrough of the famous battles and medieval landscape of England! I thoroughly enjoyed the deep dive in history of each of the locations on the march of William the Conqueror. It is a great way to relive those times and also appreciate the beauty of southern England as shown those pictures and immersive writing. It was also cool to see real world examples of some of the precursors to modern warfare and fantasy storytelling.
A fantastic walkthrough of the famous battles and medieval landscape of England! I thoroughly enjoyed the deep dive in history of each of the locations on the march of William the Conqueror. It is a great way to relive those times and also appreciate the beauty of southern England as shown those pictures and immersive writing. It was also cool to see real world examples of some of the precursors to modern warfare and fantasy storytelling.
March 23, 2021
Gripping presentation of the persona of William, the pivotal Battle of Hastings, the geopolitical situation, ambitions and interests of 11th-century Anglo-Saxons, the bases and development of England as the world power for centuries to go, military history, history of normans.
I have to admit this was my first entry to the subject and as far as I see, there are many books on the subject, however, for a person, who is fairly acquainted with medieval world history, yet not too familiar with Anglo-Saxon history, this work is a great starting point and base to get an understanding, background powers, pivotal moments, as well as all the references to future victories and global visions.
I have to admit this was my first entry to the subject and as far as I see, there are many books on the subject, however, for a person, who is fairly acquainted with medieval world history, yet not too familiar with Anglo-Saxon history, this work is a great starting point and base to get an understanding, background powers, pivotal moments, as well as all the references to future victories and global visions.
November 1, 2024
useful as a guide if you want historical context for medieval places to visit in England and Europe. I thought the information on the battle was a bit thin but apparently there's not that much in the way of actual facts and descriptions from actual participants so much of the history of the battle is speculation and guesswork.
December 19, 2020
A variety of historical points about William, the battle of Hastings, and the time around the battle. Different travel routes for readers to do if they are traveling to England and want to do them.
April 30, 2025
A concise and well illustrated guide to the history, archaeology, and sites pertaining to this era of British history.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews