William the Conqueror

First published in 1964, this scholarly biography follows William from his insecure youth as duke of Normandy through the 1066 invasion of England and the years spent holding both duchy and kingdom. Douglas treats Norman court politics, the claim to the English crown, Hastings, the harrying of the north, castle-building, church reform, and the making of a cross-Channel aristocracy. Evidence comes from charters, chronicles, and administrative record rather than later legend. The book is a political life of the Conqueror, not a popular tale of a single battle.

Illustrated by 18 pages of contemporary manuscripts, paintings, artefacts, buildings and maps. Bound blue cloth cover blocked with a silver medallion. Dark red slipcase.