Battle for the Island Kingdom: England's Destiny 1000-1066

by Don Hollway

Overview

SHORTLIST FOR MILITARY HISTORY MATTERS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

Weaving together period sources and a fast-paced narrative, this is a rich history of the years leading up to 1066 when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans vied for the English crown.

Includes all the key individuals that inspired the final season of Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla and the brand-new BBC drama King and Conqueror.

Bloody battles, political intrigues and dynastic marriages all played a part in shaping a nascent England. Battle for the Island Kingdom is a rich history of the violent six decades when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and ultimately Normans vied for the English crown before the seismic Battle of Hastings determined the fate of England for centuries.

Discover the defining personalities of the age, from the English king Aethelred and his nemesis Viking Svein Forkbeard to Cnut who forged an empire across England and Scandinavia only for his Norman queen Emma and Saxon consort Aelfifu to pit his sons against each other. We discover how the power-hungry Earl Godwin plays all sides until his own son Harold eventually seizes the crown and why Harold's brother Tostig chose to betray both him and his people for the Norman William the Bastard, who would become William the Conqueror.

Thisis a gripping tale of divided loyalties, treason and military might by master storyteller Don Hollway, author of the critically acclaimed The Last Viking.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472858931
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	11/07/2023
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

Don Hollway is an author and historian. His first book, The Last Viking, is a gripping history of King Harald Hardrada which was acclaimed by bestselling author Stephen Harding, by Carl Gnam of Military Heritage magazine and by Michael Dirda in The Washington Post. He is also a classical rapier fencer. His work is also available at www.donhollway.com. He lives in Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations

Author's Note

Dramatis Personae

Introduction: A New Millennium

Part One. The Vikings: AD 1001–1043

I. Normandy Invasion: 1001

II. Foreigners: 1002

III. Woe to King Aethelred: 1003–1009

IV. The Jomsvikings: 1009–1012

V. Hnefatafl: 1012–1014

VI. Sons of the Fathers: 1014–1016

VII. One King to Rule All: 1016

VIII. Viking England: 1017–1022

IX. Forging an Empire: 1022–1028

X. Kingdoms, Dukedoms, Heirdoms: 1028–1030

XI. Seeking Deliverance: 1030–1035

XII. Power Games: 1036–1037

XIII. Nadirs: 1037–1040

XIV. Harthacnut: 1040–1042

XV. Their Just Rewards: 1042–1043

Part Two. The Anglo-Saxons: AD 1042–1065

XVI. Edward Rex: 1042–1045

XVII. Comeuppances: 1045–1046

XVIII. Outcasts: 1046–1047

XIX. Val-ès-Dunes: 1047

XX. The Godwins: 1047–1049

XXI. William the Bastard: 1049–1051

XXII. Rebellion: 1051

XXIII. Heir to the Throne: 1051–1052

XXIV. The Return of the Godwins: 1052

XXV. Asserting Power: 1052–1053

XXVI. Wars in the North: 1054

XXVII. The Godwinsons: 1055–1056

XXVIII. War and Diplomacy: 1057

XXIX. Supremacy: 1058–1060

XXX. Fragile Peace: 1061

XXXI. Conquerors: 1062–1063

XXXII. Betrayals: 1064–1065

Part Three. The Normans: AD 1066

XXXIII. Challenge Accepted: Spring 1066

XXXIV. Opening Moves: Summer 1066

XXXV. Return of the Vikings: September 1066

XXXVI. Hastings: October 1066

Afterword: Domesday, 1066–1154

Sources

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

A great book both for those exploring the story behind the Norman Conquest for the first time, and for more knowledgeable readers who want to read a fresh account of it.” —Aspects of History

“Battle for the Island Kingdom is thoroughly enjoyable, and is recommended to anyone looking for a comprehensive and accessible history of the period.” —Military History Matters

“The story of England and how it came to be a Norman possession is an intricate and fascinating one. This is a very readable book which opens up this complex period.” —Battlefield

From the Publisher