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"This is a fine, up-to-date synthesis of a grand subject, now suitably enlarged." —T.N. Bisson, Henry Charles Lea Professor of Medieval History, Harvard University
About the Author
David Carpenter is Professor of Medieval History at King's College London. He is the author of THE BATTLES OF LEWES AND EVESHAM and THE REIGN OF HENRY III.
Carpenter's survey of post-Conquest Britain somehow manages to be both very detailed and very broad. As expected, he focuses mainly on the political and religious aspects of the period, but he is careful to include social history (including discussions of slavery, the peasantry, queenship and chivalry)where it impinges on those subjects. The result is magnificently clear narrative of this complicated and turbulent era. Four chapters of purely social history round out the story: two at the beginning discuss the peoples and economy of Britain, and two near the end summarize "The Structures of Society" and the "Church, Religion, Literacy, and Learning." Within the main body of the text he provides short overviews of Welsh and Scots power structures and history. These are especially welcome additions, and though he generally includes only the details that help make sense of Anglo-Norman actions, he writes these sections from a Welsh or Scottish perspective.
Surprisingly, the most gripping parts of the book concern subjects that might be thought dry. Carpenter excels at dealing with abstractions. His description of the legal system, which changed several times throughout the period and eventually gave rise to both common law and the Magna Carta, is actually thrilling. His discussions of the economy, feudal rights and obligations, and the importance of the castle to medieval politics are fascinating. Of course, all this comes at a price: he doesn't have room for much in the way of anecdote, and a few subjects that ought to make for exciting reading (the civil war between Stephen and Empress Matilda, the reign of Henry II)are a little flat.Read more ›
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This book is very well-written, with text that is not only interesting but easy to follow. I bought it in the hope that it would give me a better understanding of the events that transpired during the two hundred years following the Norman invasion of 1066. I have begun reading a lot of historical fiction during this time period and so I was eager to gain contextual knowledge that would make it easier to distinquish fact from fiction. This book was everything I had hoped for. Not only have I been educated on the events of these years, but I have also been given a fascinating insight into the changing culture of this time. My favourite chapter has turned out to be one entitled 'The Peoples of Britain' which gives a brilliant insight into regional identities, and how these changed during the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries. The Norman invasion of England of course caused a rift between the Norman and the English people, but David Carpenter explores how the two cultures eventually merged into becoming a united English people. He also discusses Scotland and the how the distinct areas of this country considered themselves to be of differing nationalities. Wales was also interesting to read about, as the culture there did not merge with the Norman culture as it did in England, and to some extent as it eventually did in Scotland. David Carpenter has a very fluid writing style that easily draws in the reader. He initially gives his key point and then expands from it, allowing the reader not only to see what happened, but how and why it happened. It is easy to tell that he has a geniune love for the period. I love to read history in the words of some-one who loves it is much as I do. The maps and genealogical tables included in this book are very useful.Read more ›
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This is an overview of the 200 years after the Normans conquered England. It is mostly political history, with a fair amount of social, economic, etc. thrown in. It is part of the Oxford history of Britain series, which they are in the process of updating. As such it can be dry for the average reader.
This book is for people who have heard of 'the Anarchy' in England, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Kings Richard and John, Robin Hood, or any other event that happened in England between 1066-1284. It is also a history of Scotland and Wales, but since England was the biggest, most literate, richest, etc. most of the focus in on England. It serves as an introductory college text in the UK.
Since it covers a broad span of time people can appear and disappear rather quickly. The author discusses causes, effects, complications from the political interactions within Britain and between Britain and Europe (principally France and the Pope).
This is the second time I've read this and I learned more this time around. I think I'll read it at least 2 or 3 more times. It's the first book I've read that covers this whole period. I knew about most of the rulers and events, but this put it all together and showed the development of society.
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This item: The Struggle for Mastery: The Penguin History of Britain, 1066-1284
