woodys-uk
Price: �33.92
In stock

Add to Cart

15 used & new from �4.54

See All Buying Options

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Share your own customer images

Search inside another edition of this book

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)

Available from these sellers.

3 new from �14.98 12 used from �4.54

Other Editions:	RRP:	Our Price:	Other Offers:
Hardcover (New edition)			15 used & new from �13.98
Paperback (Illustrated)			6 used & new from �17.00

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

(What is this?)

The Last King opens new browser window

www.Ask.com - Search for The Last King Find The last king

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Godwins: The Rise and Fall of a Noble Dynasty (The Medieval World)

by Frank Barlow

4.3 out of 5 stars (3) �6.69

1066: The Year of The Three Battles

by F.J. McLynn

4.2 out of 5 stars (11) �9.98

William the Conqueror (Yale English Monarchs Series)

by David C. Douglas

4.7 out of 5 stars (3) �14.49

Hereward: The Last Englishman

by Peter Rex

4.0 out of 5 stars (2) �7.92

Queen Emma and the Vikings: The Woman Who Shaped the Events of 1066

by Harriet O'Brien

5.0 out of 5 stars (4) �5.99

› Explore similar items

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: 810,166 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

See Complete Table of Contents

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.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.

Suggested Tags from Similar Products

(What's this?)

Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)

saxon england

medieval

history

1066

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	44% buy the item featured on this page: Harold: The Last Anglo-Saxon King 4.7 out of 5 stars (6)
	17% buy The Godwins: The Rise and Fall of a Noble Dynasty (The Medieval World) 4.3 out of 5 stars (3) �6.69
	15% buy 1066: The Year of The Three Battles 4.2 out of 5 stars (11) �9.98
	14% buy Queen Emma and the Vikings: The Woman Who Shaped the Events of 1066 5.0 out of 5 stars (4) �5.99

Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Last, but certainly not least, 18 Dec 2006

By	Martin Latter (UK) - See all my reviews

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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

16 of 17 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...

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

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.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 6 customer reviews...

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 5 months 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 23 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 23 months ago by Drifter

› See all 6 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }

Customer Discussions

This product's forum

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Active discussions in related forums

Discussion	Replies	Latest Post
politics Would it be so bad if we let Europe run the UK	9	3 hours ago
biography Best Biography?	146	6 hours ago
biography Books that made you laugh out loud.	216	6 hours ago
biography A book for a man who doesn't usually read?	12	20 hours ago
politics Special relationship America and Britain	5	23 hours ago
biography any suggestions for a new read	23	1 day ago
politics This is Politics?????	36	1 day ago