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William the Conqueror

By David Bates
Series: The English Monarchs Series
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Brief Description
Fifteen years in the making, a landmark reinterpretation of the life of a pivotal figure in British and European history In this magisterial addition to the Yale English Monarchs series, David Bates combines biography and a multidisciplinary approach to examine the life of a major figure... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$9300

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Fifteen years in the making, a landmark reinterpretation of the life of a pivotal figure in British and European history

In this magisterial addition to the Yale English Monarchs series, David Bates combines biography and a multidisciplinary approach to examine the life of a major figure in British and European history. Using a framework derived from studies of early medieval kingship, he assesses each phase of William’s life to establish why so many trusted William to invade England in 1066 and the consequences of this on the history of the so-called Norman Conquest after the Battle of Hastings and for generations to come.

A leading historian of the period, Bates is notable for having worked extensively in the archives of northern France and discovered many eleventh- and twelfth-century charters largely unnoticed by English-language scholars. Taking an innovative approach, he argues for a move away from old perceptions and controversies associated with William’s life and the Norman Conquest. This deeply researched volume is the scholarly biography for our generation.

Series: The English Monarchs Series

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300297171

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 August 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 22 b-w illus.

Audience: General / adult, Adult education

DIMENSIONS

Width: 133.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 640

Collections

Biography & Memoir David Bates European History History & Archaeology History & Military Non-Fiction Political Biographies Royalty & Religion Biographies Series: The English Monarchs Series

About the Author

David Bates is professorial fellow, University of East Anglia. His books include Normandy Before 1066 and The Normans and Empire. He lives in Cambridge, UK.

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