Anyone know a great historical fiction novel about William the Conqueror/1066/Battle of Hastings?

Similar questions: great historical fiction William Conqueror 1066 Battle Hastings.

Check out The Last English King by Julian Rathbone Here is the book description of The Last English King from Amazon: On September 27, 1066, Duke William of Normandy sailed for England with hundreds of ships and over 8,000 men. King Harold of England, weakened by a ferocious Viking invasion from the north, could muster little defense. At the Battle of Hastings of October 14, he was outflanked, quickly defeated, and killed by William's superior troops.

The course of English history was altered forever. Three years later, Walt, King Harold's only surviving bodyguard, is still emotionally and physically scarred by the loss of his king and his country. Wandering through Asia Minor, headed vaguely for the Holy Land, he meets Quint, a renegade monk with a healthy line of skepticism and a hearty appetite for knowledge.It is he who persuades Walt, little by little, to tell his extraordinary story.

And so begins a roller-coaster ride into an era of enduring fascination. Weaving fiction round fact, Julian Rathbone brings to vibrant, exciting, and often amusing life the shadowy figures and events that preceded the Norman Conquest. We see Edward, confessing far more than he ever did in the history books.

We meet the warring nobles of Mercia and Wessex; Harold and his unruly clan; Canute's descendants with their delusions of grandeur; predatory men, pushy women, subdued Scots , and wily Welsh. And we meet William of Normandy, a psychotic thug with interesting plans for the "racial sanitation" of the Euroskepics across the water. Peppered with discussions on philosophy.

Dentistry, democracy, devils, alcohol, illusions, and hygiene, The Last English King raises issues, both daring and delightful, that question the nature of history itself. Where are the lines between fact, interpretation, and re-creation? Did the French really stop for a two-hour lunch during the Battle of Hastings?

Happy Reading! Sources: amazon.com Zora's Recommendations Last English King Amazon List Price: $15.70 Used from: $0.65 Average Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 18 reviews) .

The Wind from Hastings by Morgan Llywelyn The Wind from Hastings (Hardcover)by Morgan Llywelyn "WHEN THE WIND BLOWS from the Channel, it carries to us the smell of rotting flesh on Senlac Ridge..." (more)Key Phrases: lady mother, shield wall, Harold Godwine, King Harold, King Edward (more...)(10 customer reviews) List Price: $11.95Price: $10.16 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. DetailsYou Save: $1.79 (15%)About the AuthorSince 1980 Morgan Llywelyn has created an entire body of work chronicling the Celts and Ireland, from the earliest times to the present day. Her critically acclaimed novels, both of history and of mythology, have been translated into many languages.

She is an Irish citizen and lives in Dublin. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:A captivating story of a queen of two kingdoms, August 11, 2003Reviewer: Steve "metsfansince1962" (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviewsThis short historical novel was great summer reading! It held my interest most of the time, and also informed me about life in the British Isles one thousand years ago.

The monumental account of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and the events leading up to it, was quite well done and moving. I was actually upset when the Anglo-Saxon soldiers "snatched defeat from the jaws of victory! "The novel seemed fairly accurate and brought the main characters (Edyth, Harold, and Griffith) to life.

I enjoyed this novel by Morgan Llywelyn as much as her Lion of Ireland, and more than Bard and 1916 (although all of these books are worthwhile). Sources: http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Hastings-Morgan-Llywelyn/dp/1568496133/sr=1-1/qid=1167591594/ref=sr_1_1/104-2167644-2909557?ie=UTF8&s=books .

The Golden Warrior, by Hope Muntz Quoting a review posted here: brothersjudd.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/re... "As the story opens, King Edward the Confessor sits upon the throne of England. William the Bastard, of Normandy, has just helped him drive off Godwin and his sons. Godwin, a descendant of King Canute, is one of the most powerful noblemen in the land.

S daughter Edith is Edward's Queen. Eventually, Godwin and his sons return and though Godwin dies, his son Harold appears likely to become king, as Edith has chosen to lead a cloistered life rather than produce an heir. Meanwhile, William lusts for the throne himself and rests his claim to it on a promise that Edward made years earlier.So it is Harold's great misfortune when he is shipwrecked on the coast of France and William secures possession of him.

The two get along famously, but William will not release Harold until he promises to support William's claim to the throne upon Edward's death. Harold swears this oath and leaves his own brother as hostage. This infuriates his other brothers, upon his return to England, and is one of the precipitating factors in his eventual falling out with his hot headed brother Tosti.

"When Edward dies (January 5, 1066), Harold, who is the most popular man in the kingdom, renounces his oath as having been secured under duress and he takes the throne. The Pope rules in William's favor and the Normans mount an invasion with Rome's blessing. Tosti, with the help of the Norwegian King Harald Sigurdson, attacks from the north and takes York.

But Harold defeats them at the battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25th. He then has to wheel south, with a badly damaged army, and march to meet William. On October 14, 1066, William deafeats him in the Battle of Hastings and becomes King of England.

"The author does this story proud. She wields a light hand in judging the motives and actions of the characters. Both Harold and William come across as great men.

If we root for Harold, it is because he seems the better person and true patriot, even while he shares William's tremendous ambition. Muntz tells the story in episodes. Each chapter is headed Of... (Of Harold and Tosti, Of the Fight at Stamford Bridge, etc. ), which, combined with judicious use of archaic language, conveys the feeling that one is reading one of the ancient sagas.

She manages to retain the sense that this is fundamentally a tale that is close to a thousand years old, yet keep the telling modern enough to appeal to the contemporary reader."This is a really fine novel (though probably not the best historical novel ever written) and will amply reward the effort necessary to seek it out. " Graded by reviewer A+ Sources: brothersjudd.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/re... .

Battle of Hastings I like this book; The Battle of Hastings 1066 It has a hardcover and 304 pages David Bates, author of William the Conqueror “Blows away many fundamental assumptions about the Battle of Hastings… an exciting and indispensable read” Sources: Amazon, Yahoo .

" "what are the 5 best fiction books you have ever read?" "I'm looking for good booklists for fiction and historical fiction mostly. " "Looking for two fiction books - Headmaster and something about lizards.

Looking for a book, Romance, historical Fiction.

I'm looking for good booklists for fiction and historical fiction mostly.

Looking for two fiction books - Headmaster and something about lizards.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.