Exploring the successful Norman invasion of England in 1066, this
concise and readable book focuses especially on the often dramatic and
enduring changes wrought by William the Conqueror and his followers.
From the perspective of a modern social historian, Hugh M. Thomas
considers the conquest's wide-ranging impact by taking a fresh look at
such traditional themes as the influence of battles and great men on
history and assessing how far the shift in ruling dynasty and noble
elites affected broader aspects of English history. The author sets the
stage by describing English society before the Norman Conquest and
recounting the dramatic story of the conquest, including the climactic
Battle of Hastings. He then traces the influence of the invasion itself
and the Normans' political, military, institutional, and legal
transformations. Inevitably following on the heels of institutional
reform came economic, social, religious, and cultural changes. The
results, Thomas convincingly shows, are both complex and surprising. In
some areas where one might expect profound influence, such as government
institutions, there was little change. In other respects, such as the
indirect transformation of the English language, the conquest had
profound and lasting effects. With its combination of exciting narrative
and clear analysis, this book will capture students interest in a range
of courses on medieval and Western history.