Book Guide

William was only eight years old when he received the oath of fealty from Norman barons for the first time. He was fifteen when he was knighted and began to govern Normandy; but along with his studies and games he had been acquiring for himself qualities of leadership. Several Norman barons plotted to do away with him, for the boy had the blood of French commoners in his veins.

Mr. Costain's account is a fascinating one—of William's early adventures, of his wooing and marriage to Lady Matilda of Flanders, of the middle years when he schemed to make England his own.

Late in September of 1066 Normans in dragon ships followed him across the English Channel to land and fight near Hastings. As a result of that famous battle, William was the first of the English kings to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. In the fen country north of Cambridge one folk hero held out against him for five years—but in the end conquest was complete. Fortunately England had also been enriched; for William turned his efforts to governing as well as he could, becoming a force for civilization.

In writing this compelling, dramatic story of one of the most turbulent and powerful figures of the Middle Ages, Mr. Costain has employed all the talent and skill that have made him outstanding among contemporary historical novelists.

From the dust jacket

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Thomas B. Costain

Thomas B. Costain

1885 - 1965
Canadian-American
Thomas Bertram Costain, b.1885, d.1965 Thomas B. Costain, Canadian-born citizen of the United States, has made the field of writing his life's care... See more
Jack Coggins

Jack Coggins

1911 - 2006
British-American
Jack Coggins was born in London and came to the United States as a boy. Even as a youngster he was interested in ships and sailing. After studying a... See more

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Resource Guide

Plumfield Moms Podcast
Podcast

Landmark Books: What They Are and Why They Matter
Released in 2022 by Plumfield Moms Podcast
Available formats: Streaming Audio
Length: 52 min.
View on the Plumfield Moms Podcast site

Two-part episode hosted by Podcast Moms with guests Sandy Hall (Hall's Living Library), Jill Morgan (Purple House Press), and Tanya Arnold (Biblioguides) where they discuss the Landmark series, how they came to be and why they are worth adding to a home library.


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