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Battle for the Island Kingdom

England's Destiny 1000-1066

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Battle for the Island Kingdom

By: Don Hollway
Narrated by: John Sackville
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Bloomsbury presents Battle for the Island Kingdom by Don Hollway, read by John Sackville.

SHORTLISTED FOR MILITARY HISTORY MATTERS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

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.

This is a gripping tale of divided loyalties, treason and military might by master storyteller Don Hollway, author of the critically acclaimed The Last Viking. Europe Great Britain Medieval Military Royalty Scandinavia Middle Ages Destiny England Marriage War Viking
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Critic 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.
Battle for the Island Kingdom is thoroughly enjoyable, and is recommended to anyone looking for a comprehensive and accessible history of the period.
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.
A vivid retelling of a powerful story from one of the great authorities of the period.
All stars
Most relevant
One of the best history books I’ve ever read. The characters and episodes are clearly and vividly written, leaving me still replaying the scenes in my head weeks after finishing the book,

Outstanding

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A very engaging account of the cascade of events leading to the tragedy of Hastings and the end of Anglo-Saxon England. A little over inclined to believe Norman/ French sources to my mind, nevertheless it is often vivid and enjoyable, and has a nice use of key quotations to head chapters. Occasionally a little more detail, and other interpretations, would have made it more fully representative, but these are sacrificed for the narrative (to effect).
The reading is excellent - clear, sympathetic and well pronounced.
A good basis for further reading, and a pleasure in itself.

A fine account

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I was really looking forward to this. However, I found it very dull and monatanous, not sure if it was the narration or just the pace of it. The only exciting bit was the actual battle

Sorry ,not for me, it was so slow

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