The years from 1066-the Norman conquest of England-to 1284-the English conquest of Wales—were momentous ones in the history of Britain. In this comprehensive synthesis canvassing the peoples, economies, religion, languages, and political leadership of medieval Britain, David Carpenter weaves together the histories of England, Scotland, and Wales. Arguing that English domination of the kingdom was by no means a foregone conclusion, Carpenter analyzes the multiple struggles for mastery of Great Britain. He explains why English monarchs focused on continental landholdings more than the island of Great Britain and narrates the loss of Normandy, Anjou, and Acquitaine. He recounts how the Welsh kings strove to recover areas lost to the Normans and to assert dominion over one another, and how the kings of Scotland expanded their realm to create a united Scotland. Based on readings of primary and secondary sources, Carpenter sheds light on major highlights of the period including the Battle of Hastings, the murder of Becket, and the signing of the Magna Carta, as well as intermarriage, the feudal system, and the characters of key figures. This new interpretation is a definitive introduction to the period for general readers.
The Struggle for Matery was a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2005.
| List of Maps and Genealogical Tables | ||
| Preface | ||
| Maps | ||
| Money, Technical Terms, and Names of People and Places | ||
| 1 | The Peoples of Britain | 1 |
| 2 | The Economies of Britain | 26 |
| 3 | The Norman Conquest of England, 1066-87 | 61 |
| 4 | Wales, Scotland and the Normans, 1058-94 | 106 |
| 5 | Britain and the Anglo-Norman Realm, 1087-1135 | 125 |
| 6 | Britain Remodelled: King Stephen, 1135-54, King David, 1124-53, and the Welsh Rulers | 163 |
| 7 | King Henry II, Britain and Ireland, 1154-89 | 191 |
| 8 | Richard the Lionheart, 1189-99, and William the Lion, 1165-1214 | 245 |
| 9 | The Reign of King John, 1199-1216 | 263 |
| 10 | The Minority of Henry III and its Sequel, 1216-34, Llywelyn the Great, 1194-1240, and Alexander II, 1214-49 | 300 |
| 11 | Britain During the Personal Rule of King Henry III, 1234-58 | 338 |
| 12 | The Tribulations of Henry III, the Triumphs of Alexander III and Llywelyn, Prince of Wales, 1255-72 | 369 |
| 13 | Structures of Society | 392 |
| 14 | Church, Religion, Literacy and Learning | 431 |
| 15 | King Edward I: The Parliamentary State | 466 |
| 16 | Wales and Scotland: Conquest and Coexistence | 495 |
| Genealogical Tables | 531 | |
| Bibliography | 541 | |
| Index | 569 |
Anonymous
Posted July 15, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
The years from 1066-the Norman conquest of England-to 1284-the English conquest of Wales—were momentous ones in the history of Britain. In this comprehensive synthesis canvassing the peoples, economies, religion, languages, and political leadership of medieval Britain, David Carpenter weaves together the histories of England, Scotland, and Wales. Arguing that English domination of the kingdom was by no means a foregone conclusion, Carpenter analyzes the multiple struggles for mastery of Great Britain. He explains...