William of Normandy was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066. In this third part of my interview with Prof. David Bates @spearheadofhistory we discuss the immediate consequences of the victory at Hastings. Depending on the source, William is presented in a different light. Were these chronicle(rs) with an agenda and, more importantly, how did William treat the English, his new subjects? Watch the full interview with Prof. Bates here: https://youtu.be/ah_gndQ8FDE Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

The battle of Hastings marked a turning point in the history of England. The second part of my interview with Prof. David Bates @spearheadofhistory is dedicated to the clash between the invading Normans and Harold's Saxons on 14 October 1066. Which were the key moments of the struggle? Did William's superior generalship influence the outcome of this confrontation and how did Harold die? Watch the full interview with Prof. Bates here: https://youtu.be/ah_gndQ8FDE Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

The end of William's rule of the cross-Channel 'empire' was marked by his decision to order a remarkable survey which came to be known as Domesday Book.Thus, the final part of my interview with Prof. David Bates @spearheadofhistory is dedicated to discussing the many facets of Domesday Book, the tragicomedy of William's funeral in Caen which also marks the removal of a dominant figure in human history and the duke-king's legagcy. Watch the full interview with Prof. Bates here: https://youtu.be/ah_gndQ8FDE Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

In order to achive his goals and be a succesful ruler, William's kingship rested on people close to him, individuals that he could trust like Lanfranc, his half-brother Odo and Queen Mathilda in particular. The fourth part of my interview with Prof. David Bates @spearheadofhistory intends to shed some light on the personality and role played by the first two, who also happened to be clergymen. This inevitably leads to an important question: what can be said about William's relation with the church in the aftermath of the battle of Hastings? Watch the full interview with Prof. Bates here: https://youtu.be/ah_gndQ8FDE Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

In the first part of my interview with Prof. David Bates @spearheadofhistory, we revisit the very intriguing topic of the size of the Norman armada, the way in which William may have played a long game that fall but also the strategy the Duke used in his attempt to force Harold into battle. Watch the full interview with Prof. Bates here: https://youtu.be/ah_gndQ8FDE Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

The last part of my interview with Prof. Jennifer Paxton @spearheadofhistory is about the period leading up to 1066, William's claim to throne of England - including the much debated oath taken by Harold Godwinson and depicted on Bayeux tapestry - but also the preparations that had to be made the Normans for the cross-Channel attack. Don't miss the next episode in which another reputed historian and I will revisit the battle of Hastings itself and the rulership of the Duke-King! Check out Professor Paxton's online lectures at: https://www.wondrium.com/jennifer-paxton Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

The third part of my interview with Prof. Jennifer Paxton @spearheadofhistory is dedicated to Matilda of Flanders, the duke's wife, and the remarkable partnership that proved to be an important contributing factor to William's success as ruler of Normandy and, later, as King of England. Don't miss the next episode in which another reputed historian and I will revisit the battle of Hastings itself and the rulership of the Duke-King! Check out Professor Paxton's online lectures at: https://www.wondrium.com/jennifer-paxton Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

In the second part of my interview with Prof. Jennifer Paxton @spearheadofhistory we have another look at how Duke William managed to impose himself as rightful ruler of Normandy and revisit the interesting concept known as 'the peace and truce of God'. Don't miss the next episode in which another reputed historian and I will revisit the battle of Hastings itself and the rulership of the Duke-King! Check out Professor Paxton's online lectures at: https://www.wondrium.com/jennifer-paxton Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com

This is the first part of my interview with Prof. Jennifer Paxton @spearheadofhistory in which we discuss the social and political context in Normandy at the time of young William's accession but also how the matter of legitimacy was regarded by his contemporaries on both sides of the English Channel. Don't miss the next episode in which another reputed historian and I will revisit the battle of Hastings itself and the rulership of the Duke-King! Check out Professor Paxton's online lectures at: https://www.wondrium.com/jennifer-paxton Don't miss any future posts and videos: https://www.spearheadofhistory.com For guided tours of Medieval Normandy and other iconic sights like the D-Day beaches and Mont Saint Michel visit: https://www.spearhead-tours.com