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English Collusion and the Norman Conquest
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Expected 28 Apr 28A historical analysis of the warfare during the Norman Conquest of England, and a look at the truth behind the legendary victor, King William I.
The reality of war, in any period, is its totality. Warfare affects everyone in a society. Here, for the first time, is a comprehensive analysis of eleventh century warfare as exposed in the record of the Norman Conquest of England. King William I experienced a lifetime of conflict on and off so many battlefields. In English Collusion and the Norman Conquest , Arthur Wright’s second book on the Norman Conquest, he argues that this monarch has received an undeserved reputation bestowed on him by clerics ignorant alike of warfare, politics, economics and of the secular world, men writing half a century after events reported to them by doubtful sources. How much of this popular legend was actually created by an avaricious Church?
Was he just a lucky, brutal soldier, or was he instead a gifted English King who could meld cultures and talents? This is a tale of blood, deceit, ambition and power politics which pieces together the self-interested distortion of events, brutalizing conflict and superb strategic acumen by using and analyzing contemporary evidence the like of which is not to be found elsewhere in Europe.
By 1072 King William should have been secure upon the English throne, so what went wrong? How did a Norman Duke and a few thousand mercenaries take and hold such a wealthy and populous Kingdom? Even in the “Harrowing of the North,” which probably saw the death of tens of thousands, who was really to blame and why did it happen?
Praise for English Collusion and the Norman Conquest
“Arthur C Wright’s fresh look at how things panned out before and after the invasion provides new and fresh evidence that should not be overlooked. Brilliant.” — Books Monthly (UK)
The reality of war, in any period, is its totality. Warfare affects everyone in a society. Here, for the first time, is a comprehensive analysis of eleventh century warfare as exposed in the record of the Norman Conquest of England. King William I experienced a lifetime of conflict on and off so many battlefields. In English Collusion and the Norman Conquest , Arthur Wright’s second book on the Norman Conquest, he argues that this monarch has received an undeserved reputation bestowed on him by clerics ignorant alike of warfare, politics, economics and of the secular world, men writing half a century after events reported to them by doubtful sources. How much of this popular legend was actually created by an avaricious Church?
Was he just a lucky, brutal soldier, or was he instead a gifted English King who could meld cultures and talents? This is a tale of blood, deceit, ambition and power politics which pieces together the self-interested distortion of events, brutalizing conflict and superb strategic acumen by using and analyzing contemporary evidence the like of which is not to be found elsewhere in Europe.
By 1072 King William should have been secure upon the English throne, so what went wrong? How did a Norman Duke and a few thousand mercenaries take and hold such a wealthy and populous Kingdom? Even in the “Harrowing of the North,” which probably saw the death of tens of thousands, who was really to blame and why did it happen?
Praise for English Collusion and the Norman Conquest
“Arthur C Wright’s fresh look at how things panned out before and after the invasion provides new and fresh evidence that should not be overlooked. Brilliant.” — Books Monthly (UK)
216 pages, Paperback
Expected publication April 28, 2028
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 15, 2020
I am not sure who the target audience is for this particular book, but it is certainly not for those just dipping their toes into this specific period and set of events, or even someone with a modicum of knowledge.
To say that I was a little baffled would be an under-statement. What I thought I would be getting was an in-depth study on the type of aid (collusion) William received from the English Anglo-Saxons or anyone else in his efforts to mount and maintain what is known today as the Norman Conquest. What was very disappointing was that there was no real discussion as to the exact nature of this "collusion" by the local populace to the invasion, nor were there any real examples given in support. I mean, this is why I requested the title in the first place - I have enough background to want to narrow down and explore specific and diverse subject matters that tie in with the main theme. I wanted to know who did the colluding, how they did it, what was their motivation for doing so, and what were the results and consequences, not only for themselves but for the country as a whole. The brief was not met in my humble opinion.
read full review here @ Melisende's Library
To say that I was a little baffled would be an under-statement. What I thought I would be getting was an in-depth study on the type of aid (collusion) William received from the English Anglo-Saxons or anyone else in his efforts to mount and maintain what is known today as the Norman Conquest. What was very disappointing was that there was no real discussion as to the exact nature of this "collusion" by the local populace to the invasion, nor were there any real examples given in support. I mean, this is why I requested the title in the first place - I have enough background to want to narrow down and explore specific and diverse subject matters that tie in with the main theme. I wanted to know who did the colluding, how they did it, what was their motivation for doing so, and what were the results and consequences, not only for themselves but for the country as a whole. The brief was not met in my humble opinion.
read full review here @ Melisende's Library
August 14, 2020
"Was he just a lucky, brutal soldier"
Yes.
This is another academic making controversial comments in order to gain attention.
Yes.
This is another academic making controversial comments in order to gain attention.
April 12, 2021
I received English Collusion and the Norman Conquest as part of a NetGalley giveaway.
English Collusion and the Norman Conquest challenges the notion of a race of "superhero" Normans who quashed all semblance of native English culture, and a united, proto-nationalist movement of English rebels who attempted to fight him. Instead, Wright maintains, many English of all social classes accepted Norman rule, while many of William's most devoted foes were actually Norman. For his part, William himself saw the merits of England's administrative systems and its natural amenities, and adopted many of these native English features into his reign.
Despite my interest in the subject matter, this was a miss for me. First, as others have noted, the author's tone is very pompous and condescending, which immediately put me off. Second, the narrative is just dry. Lots of lists and numbers which, while I know it's essential to much historical scholarship, really strips the book of a human element. Third, the structure of the book is strange. The first several chapters are a step-by-step recounting of the Norman Conquest and its aftermath into the reign of Henry I, the third to last chapter is a review of the previous chapters, and then the last two chapters are different entirely--basically a recounting on why England was such a lucrative target, and the natural features and social/political structures that William was able to exploit and adapt in order to establish authority. It didn't flow naturally, and then just ends without any sort of conclusion. Very strange, and one I had to force myself to finish in order to get to something more engaging.
English Collusion and the Norman Conquest challenges the notion of a race of "superhero" Normans who quashed all semblance of native English culture, and a united, proto-nationalist movement of English rebels who attempted to fight him. Instead, Wright maintains, many English of all social classes accepted Norman rule, while many of William's most devoted foes were actually Norman. For his part, William himself saw the merits of England's administrative systems and its natural amenities, and adopted many of these native English features into his reign.
Despite my interest in the subject matter, this was a miss for me. First, as others have noted, the author's tone is very pompous and condescending, which immediately put me off. Second, the narrative is just dry. Lots of lists and numbers which, while I know it's essential to much historical scholarship, really strips the book of a human element. Third, the structure of the book is strange. The first several chapters are a step-by-step recounting of the Norman Conquest and its aftermath into the reign of Henry I, the third to last chapter is a review of the previous chapters, and then the last two chapters are different entirely--basically a recounting on why England was such a lucrative target, and the natural features and social/political structures that William was able to exploit and adapt in order to establish authority. It didn't flow naturally, and then just ends without any sort of conclusion. Very strange, and one I had to force myself to finish in order to get to something more engaging.
September 17, 2020
I really enjoyed this book for the simple fact that it has given me another way of thinking about the Norman Conquest. "English Collusion and the Norman Conquest" is well-written and interesting, but it leaves plenty for your imagination - which is something that I hadn't expected, but it worked for me! I would have liked a few more photographs, but that's just nit-picking. I would like to read more by this author - particularly on the same subject.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance copy to review. This review is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
October 25, 2020
The author trying to show the reality of what happened in 1066 and the battle of Hastings. What England was going through, the interactions between its people and other countries. Written for the years 1066 to 1086, some new looks, and more. Great for those who have an interest in this period.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews