A radical retelling of the most important event in English history

The Norman invasion of 1066 is the most significant event in English history. The Norman Conquest marked a pivotal point in the second millennium of English history. While this is widely recognized, what is less acknowledged is the long and arduous struggle of the English people to deny William ''the Bastard'', Duke of Normandy, his prize.

Contrary to the smooth transition often portrayed by pro-Norman historians, the Norman Conquest was a brutal and violent takeover by an army of occupation. Unknown thousands of rebellious thegns resisted the Norman regime, the most famous being Hereward, but many among England's clergy also collaborated, pushing for William to be crowned king. In return, he allowed them to retain their sees and abbacies, along with vast tracts of land.

Peter Rex narrates the entire story of the Conquest of England by the Normans, from King Edward the Confessor's deathbed decision in January 1066 to recommend Harold Godwinson as his successor, to the crushing of the last flickers of English resistance in June 1076.