Summary The Year Of The Conquest By David Howarth

1066 The Year of the Conquest. David Howarth.
New York: The Viking Press, 1978. 207 pp. The book 1066 The Year of the Conquest by David Howarth is an overview of one of the most important years in England’s history. At the start of 1066 the death of King Edward would spark a series of events that would eventually lead to the changes in England. Throughout the book it discusses this dramatic year and all these events that took place from various different perspectives. These stories are from contemporary sources from all sides of the conflict explaining their perspective of what was happening during this time. As one might expect, the people living through this will obviously form bias opinions based on where they are from. Howarth does a great job of staying neutral, giving him the ability to tell every story as it is while also adding his own personal insight. In addition to the various perspectives, he does a great job of bringing forth a historic event and not holding it to today’s standards. The book begins in a small village called Horstede, England. Horstede isn’t to far from Hastings, and was pretty much isolated during the battle on October 14, 1066. As mentioned earlier, the death of king
means the rise of a new king, and the sweeping changes made by a new king would soon be felt all around England. Horstede reflects the everyday life of a commoner in England during this time, and for these people the death of their king would begin a year filled with uncertainty with what was to come next. The death of King Edward the Confessor at the beginning of 1066 would prove to be an event more important than anyone could have anticipated. Historians today and sources of 1066 debate the succession of King Edward due to a number of different reasons. What influenced the decision to make Harold the next King over the other leading candidates? Howarth does a great job of studying all sides to grasp a better understanding behind the controversial election of Harold as the successor to King Edward. There were two main candidates for the kings throne, one being the future king Harold and the other being William of Normandy. Being the two main contenders for the crown, Howarth takes a look at their motives, but what must not be forgotten are two other figures who have taken backseat in this election and that’s Harold’s brother, Tostig, and Hardrada who is the King of Norway. In the northern part of England, both Tostig and Hardrada were invading the land but this served as a good example of Harold’s military ability as he strategically cuts them off providing him an advantage.
When the two armies finally met at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold proves to be victorious. This was thought to be a huge victory and a defining moment for England until Harold discovers some interesting news. As Harold and his men were just enjoying a huge victory in battle, they learn of Duke William and his army coming in on the southern coast of England. This was important because right after a critical battle in the northern part of England, Harold must now navigate his troops back down to the southern coast in a desperate attempt to defend
themselves. Harold had been waiting for this invasion all summer, which never ended up happening. After the summer had passed, England did not think William would attempt an invasion as it was past the normal season for sailing and moving into the middle of autumn. William’s invasion came at the right time as the winds blowing across the channel changed direction giving him an opportunity to attack. This all happened as Harold and his army were marching to northern England to fight off Tostig and Hardrada. William was very fortunate his fleet made it across the channel but nevertheless the journey was made and they landed on the southern coast of England at the end of September.
The weeks leading up to the battle against Normandy was interesting in terms of how Harold was handling the situation. He had just taken part in an important and impressive victory Stamford but things began to change as he learned about Williams’s invasion. Interestingly enough, it almost seemed as if Harold had already accepted defeat. Howarth seems to argue that it was indeed the support of the Pope that was given to William that put Harold in a bad position. It must be understood that during this time religion played a much larger role in society than it does today. The support of the Pope could have been a devastating blow to the mindset of King Harold. Harold, who demonstrated such great military ability at Stamford Bridge was not the same man who stood with his men on the top of Senlac Hill. Waiting for William and his army, in his own mind, Harold saw himself as a defeated man, because God had judged him and England. In the end it would be William of Normandy who claims victory at this historic battle. Villages all around England would be changed forever but ultimately it was England who had the last laugh. They were able to keep their identity as the Normans became accustomed to the English way of life adapting all sorts of customs.