In the Days of William the Conqueror

by Eva March Tappan

This early work by Eva March Tappan was originally published in 1901 and we are now republishing it with a brand new introductory biography. 'In the Days of William the Conqueror' is an educational children's book that details the important events in the life of one of the most influential figures in European history. Eva March Tappan was born on 26th December 1854, in Blackstone, Massachusetts, United States. Tappan began her literary career writing about famous characters from history in works such as 'In the Days of William the Conqueror' (1901), and 'In the Days of Queen Elizabeth' (1902). She then developed an interest in children's books, writing her own and publishing collections of classic tales.

Genres: History

268 pages, Paperback

First published December 19, 2006

About the author

Eva March Tappan was a teacher and American author born in Blackstone, Massachusetts, the only child of Reverend Edmund March Tappan and Lucretia Logée. Eva graduated from Vassar College in 1875. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and an editor of the Vassar Miscellany. After leaving Vassar she began teaching at Wheaton College where she taught Latin and German from 1875 until 1880. From 1884–94 she was the Associate Principal at the Raymond Academy in Camden, New Jersey. She received graduate degrees in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. Tappan was the head of the English department at the English High School at Worcester, Massachusetts. She began her literary career writing about famous characters in history and developed an interest in writing children books. Tappan never married.

Reviews

[Angela Bergeron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite Eva March Tappan book, but it did a good job in many parts. Some parts were confusing and I wasn't really sure what was happening, but others really brought the time period to life.

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

for heroes group

Great short intro to the life of William the Conqueror. I loved getting the picture of the times and what it might be like to be a child then.

This book chronicles the events from just before William's father meets his mother, through William's death. I think it will be great for the boys to understand many things about those times such as caste (William was scorned by many of the nobility because his mother was a peasant), to the quarrels between kings and the church, to the deception and politicking of many who vied for power. It will be interesting to see how the boys react to William's deception that won him the crown of England. I will like to hear their reaction to William's otherwise stern and hard, but otherwise merciful nature to this act of underhanded fraud. I also want to hear what these youngsters have to say about "not having enough" --with all the power he had, why did William have to have England as well?

It should be a good discussion--

Well written for ages 8-16 (older kids and adults will still enjoy it as an introduction). Nothing objectionable (unless one objects to mention of the violence of the times--). Good story with themes of loyalty, bravery, leadership, mercy, as well as greed and deceit. I like these old biographies, written without glossing over the faults of the times, without moralizing according to modern sensibility, without apology or really any commentary--just the story. I'm surely positive many things were left out (of course, it was only 239 pages) but I felt it was an adequate intro to the man & times. Pictures were great. Great copy from "Yesterday's Classics" press.

[Melissa]

Reading with Rushton for heroes group.