An illustrated history and guide to the Battle of Hastings by two leading medieval military historians. The Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, changed the course of English history. This most famous moment of the Norman Conquest was recorded in graphic detail in the threads of the Bayeux Tapestry, providing a priceless glimpse into a brutal conflict. In this fresh look at the battle and its surrounding campaigns, leading medieval military historians Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries combine the imagery of the tapestry with the latest modern investigative research to reveal the story of Hastings as it has never been told and guide visitors around the battlefield today. This absorbing new account of the battle will be fascinating reading for anyone keen to find out what really happened in 1066: the journeys by which Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy came to the battlefield, and the latest reconstructions of the course of the fighting on that momentous day. It is also a practical, easy-to-use guide for visitors to the sites associated with the conquest as well as the Hastings battlefield itself. This is essential reading and reference for anyone interested in the battle and the Norman Conquest. “The writing is concise, with many side bars to identify people, explain technical terms, and so forth, and each chapter ends with a recommended tour route. A very good book for anyone who knows little about the conquest, and one which even those well up on the subject may find interesting.” —The NYMAS Review “Followers of Bernard Cornwell’s Dark Ages series, The Last Kingdom, will be absolutely fascinated by Michael and Kelly's book, which fast forwards just a few years to the conquest of England by the Normans. Superbly illustrated.” —Books Monthly
Subterfuge or sword, which will save the kingdom? January, 1410 and King Henry IV is brought down with an unknown illness. Despite his 10 year reign the kingdom is far from secure: he is at odds with his son Prince Hal who seeks the crown; the English court is a swirl of rumours and treachery, with the powerful seeking the ultimate prize: the English crown. Whilst King Charles VI of France plots to take back Calais and re-ignite the 100 years war. The king’s spymaster Sir Richard Whittington needs someone skilled, yet unobtrusive who can move inconspicuously abroad and at home. James de Grispere: is tasked to spy for the good of the kingdom with the future of the realm in his hands. It is a perilous path, from the depths of France, to Wales and the Scottish borders. Joining with two comrades he seeks to aid King Henry and Sir Richard's plans for the safety of the realm. Can he travail this dangerous journey, with not just England, but his own life at stake? Treachery, the 100 years war, revolts, battles, the wool trade, piracy and pivotal events: all are brought alive in this story of the 15th Century England and the fight for the crown. Buy A Knight and a Spy 1410 today to enter a deadly medieval world.
THE UNMISSABLE NEW NOVEL FROM MATTHEW HARFFY, DOMINION OF DUST , AVAILABLE TO PREORDER NOW! Greed and ambition threaten to tear the north of Anglo-Saxon England apart in this exciting Bernicia Chronicles novel. AD 651. War rages between the two kingdoms of Northumbria. Kin is pitted against kin and friend becomes foe as ambitious rulers vie for supremacy. When Beobrand of Ubbanford travels south into East Angeln to rescue a friend, he unwittingly tilts the balance of power in the north, setting in motion events that will lead to a climactic confrontation between Oswiu of Bernicia and Oswine of Deira. While Beobrand is entangled in this clash of kings, his most trusted warrior, Cynan, finds himself on his own quest, called to the aid of someone he thought never to see again. Riding into the mountainous region of Rheged, Cynan faces implacable enemies. Forced to confront their pasts, and with death and betrayal at every turn, both Beobrand and Cynan have their loyalties tested to breaking point. Who will survive the battle for a united Northumbria, and who will pay the ultimate price for lord and land? Reviews for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb' Historical Novel Society 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson 'Harffy is proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans
THE UNMISSABLE NEW NOVEL FROM MATTHEW HARFFY, DOMINION OF DUST , AVAILABLE TO PREORDER NOW! Greed and ambition threaten to tear the north of Anglo-Saxon England apart in this exciting Bernicia Chronicles novel. AD 651. War rages between the two kingdoms of Northumbria. Kin is pitted against kin and friend becomes foe as ambitious rulers vie for supremacy. When Beobrand of Ubbanford travels south into East Angeln to rescue a friend, he unwittingly tilts the balance of power in the north, setting in motion events that will lead to a climactic confrontation between Oswiu of Bernicia and Oswine of Deira. While Beobrand is entangled in this clash of kings, his most trusted warrior, Cynan, finds himself on his own quest, called to the aid of someone he thought never to see again. Riding into the mountainous region of Rheged, Cynan faces implacable enemies. Forced to confront their pasts, and with death and betrayal at every turn, both Beobrand and Cynan have their loyalties tested to breaking point. Who will survive the battle for a united Northumbria, and who will pay the ultimate price for lord and land? Reviews for Matthew Harffy: 'Nothing less than superb' Historical Novel Society 'Historical fiction doesn't get much better than this' Angus Donald 'Matthew Harffy tells a great story' Joanna Hickson 'Harffy is proving himself the rightful heir to Gemmell's crown' Jemahl Evans
'A rip-roaring epic' PAUL FINCH 'A truly vibrant and gripping read' HELENA GUMLEY-MASON 'An epic tale' MATTHEW HARRFY 'Historical fiction has never been more visceral' JAMES ROLLINS 'A tour de force on an epic scale' DOUGLAS JACKSON REBEL. LEADER. BROTHER. KING. 1179. Henry II is King of England, Wales, Ireland, Normandy, Brittany and Aquitaine. The House of Plantagenet reigns supreme. But there is unrest in Henry's house. Not for the first time, his family talks of rebellion. Ferdia - an Irish nobleman taken captive during the conquest of his homeland - saves the life of Richard, the king's son. In reward for his bravery, he is made squire to Richard, who is already a renowned warrior. Crossing the English Channel, the two are plunged into a campaign to crush rebels in Aquitaine. The bloody battles and gruelling sieges which followed would earn Richard the legendary name of Lionheart. But Richard's older brother, Henry, is infuriated by his sibling's newfound fame. Soon it becomes clear that the biggest threat to Richard's life may not be rebel or French armies, but his own family... *** Readers love Ben Kane: 'Powerful evocation of our history' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'An engaging and exciting read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Gripped me from start to finish' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Epic tales, gorgeous prose, non-stop action' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Rich in period detail and lively in narrative' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sven Saxon Sword was now a lord. He ruled a small village on the river. He thought that his service toking Cnut, now that he had helped him to gain the crown, was over. He was wrong. Not only does he have to deal with Norse raiders but he is also summoned to serve in a war against the Swedes. The Oathsword is called upon again to save, not only King Cnut and his ambitions, but also his home
WELCOME TO UHTRED’S FEAST . . . Over the course of writing the Last Kingdom series, Bernard Cornwell discovered an increasing fascination for the Anglo-Saxon world: its people, their culture, and their domestic lives beyond the battlefield. And so when he met renowned chef Suzanne Pollak, someone with a passion for Anglo-Saxon cookery, Uhtred’s Feast was born. A combination of beautifully crafted recipes which incorporate Anglo-Saxon ingredients and cooking techniques, and brand new Uhtred stories by Bernard which show the iconic warrior behind the shield, Uhtred’s Feast opens a door into the ordinary Saxon home – and an extraordinary moment in our history. Bernard Cornwell's book 'Sharpe's Command' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2023-10-30.
WELCOME TO UHTRED’S FEAST . . . Over the course of writing the Last Kingdom series, Bernard Cornwell discovered an increasing fascination for the Anglo-Saxon world: its people, their culture, and their domestic lives beyond the battlefield. And so when he met renowned chef Suzanne Pollak, someone with a passion for Anglo-Saxon cookery, Uhtred’s Feast was born. A combination of beautifully crafted recipes which incorporate Anglo-Saxon ingredients and cooking techniques, and brand new Uhtred stories by Bernard which show the iconic warrior behind the shield, Uhtred’s Feast opens a door into the ordinary Saxon home – and an extraordinary moment in our history. Bernard Cornwell's book 'Sharpe's Command' was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2023-10-30.