Status Updates From Normanowie. Historia dynastii

Stephen now found himself trapped by his initial manifesto as king: he must curb disorder. But summer had passed before the rebel was brought to heel. By then Stephen had made a dreadful mistake in his priorities. what he missed was the fact that in the Welsh Marches the dominant power of the English marcher barons had in May 1136 suddenly been challenged and overthrown. By August 1136 marcher power was in retreat.

Very difficult going as this is my first in depth book on the Norman Conquest and I am having a very hard time figuring out who everyone is, especially chapter 1. The first chapter is backstory taking us 4 generations back to the Vikings [Rollo.] Chapter 2 is about William's father, then 2 chapters about William. Fascinating insight on marriage and bastardy.