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Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King
 
 
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Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

by Ian W. Walker (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 258 pages
  • Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd; illustrated edition edition (26 Jun 1997)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0750913886
  • ISBN-13: 978-0750913881
  • Product Dimensions: 25.2 x 18 x 2.3 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 634,405 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
King Harold Godwineson (c.1022-66) is one of history's shadowy figures, known mainly for his defeat and death at the Battle of Hastings. His true status and achievements have been overshadowed by the events of 1066 and the bias imposed by the Norman victory. This text aims to correct the common view of Harold, presenting an argument for being one of England's greatest rulers. The book presents Harold's life in its proper context, offering a critical study of his career in the years leading up to 1066. It begins with an account of Harold's father, Earl Godwine and his rise to power, and goes on to discuss how Harold too rose to power through service to the childless King Edward and eventually being named as Edward's successor. The text offers a thorough consideration of Harold's short but extremely eventful reign, detailing a series of attacks by Harold's vengeful brother and two full-scale invasions from Norway and Normandy. Ian Walker presents a critique of the sources of this information and attempts to reconcile the distortions in the divergent "English" and "Norman" accounts available to modern commentators, allowing the reader to make a realistic assessment of both Harold and his rival William.
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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Last, but certainly not least, 18 Dec 2006
This review is from: Harold, the Last Anglo-Saxon King (Paperback)
One of the problems afflicting English history surrounding 1066 is that some historians have been swayed by sympathiser sources (e.g. that of Robert of Jumieges, the deposed Archbishop of Canterbury) and the victor's propaganda and actions (e.g. The Bayeux Tapestry, 'The Carmen', and the destruction of many Anglo-Saxon documents).

Harold, The Last Saxon King is a refreshing change.

Ian Walker demonstrates healthy scepticism, steers away from legend, and objectively considers sources - or if lacking, as for some Anglo-Saxon perspectives - reasoned evidence of the time. And through careful analysis and thought, he arrives at good, insightful conclusions.

Considering this book is largely an analysis of sources and literature, the surprise is that it is interesting and involving, which is credit to the author's thinking and writing abilities.

Chapter 11 is an interesting and dispassionate account of the Battle of Hastings. Commonly cited failings directed at King Harold are impetuousness and a 'premature' move from London against Duke William's invading forces - perhaps in hope of surprise, as Harold had previously achieved at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Ian Walker shows through evidence that Harold was actually a cautious commander in nearly all of his career and generally preferred negotiation to combat, yet there were good reasons to move early against William. Just because Harold lost the Battle of Hastings doesn't mean he wasn't William's equal as a commander. Ian Walker shows Harold was at least that, and without the murderous streak.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars King Harold the Great... Almost!, 10 Mar 2005
By A Customer
This review is from: Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King (Paperback)
Great book about the King Harold who ruled England from January 1066 to October 1066, between Edward the Confessor and William the Conqueror.

The fascinating thing is that Harold ALMOST pulled it off. This book gives us a detailed look at Harold's year as king and the problems he faced, namely competition for the throne of England by another King and a Duke.

What most people don't know is that Harold defeated King Harald Hardrada of Norway in a pitched battle near York before riding south to his doom at Hastings.

Even Hasting wasn't an easy battle. The last English king put up a great fight and the battle wasn't decided until very late in the day when Harold finally fell and was killed.

Harold deserves mush more of a mention that most histories of England give him. He was a clever politician and capable, experience warrior who rode and fought his opponents hard. Never the coward, he bravely faced his enemies in battle.

This book is very interesting in filling in the blanks about a man who was king of England only briefly in 1066. It's an interesting read for anyone interesting in the end of Anglo-Saxon England and all that went with it.

Buy and read; it's a cracking book I'd recommend you...

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15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy opponent to William the Conqueror, 25 Oct 1998
By A Customer
I must admit it. I knew next to nothing about this man, and this book opened my eyes to what was truly a remarkable and effective leader. Definitly worth reading to get the "other side" of William the Conqueror's story.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable and well researched
A very well researched biography of Harold, using all the relatively scare English and Norman sources as fully but as realistically as possible, being aware of their biases and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by John Hopper

5.0 out of 5 stars A Dazzling Account of Harold

This is a gritty and dazzling account of the short reign of the last Anglo Saxon King of England. Read more
Published 19 months ago by J. Chippindale

5.0 out of 5 stars The best historical account of Harold you'll read
Ian W Walker shines a dazzling light on this part of what is often refered to as the dark ages. Not only does he write a thoroughly researched account of Harold's life he also... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Drifter

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