The Fate of a King: A compelling medieval adventure of battle, honour and glory

The fight to replace Edward the Confessor has begun, with Harold Godwinson anointed king and Duke William preparing his invasion fleet in Normandy. Battle will be joined in Hastings, and the future of the country will be decided.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2023
Publisher: Canelo

The year 1066 marked a significant turning point in the history of England. The passing of Edward the Confessor, the last Anglo-Saxon king, initiated a series of events that would shape the course of the nation for years to come. In the capital city of London, Harold Godwinson, anointed king by Edward on his deathbed, took up the responsibility of leading the country into a state of war. Meanwhile, across the channel in Normandy, Duke William, supported by his treacherous brother, Tostig, prepared his invasion fleet to set sail and invade England.

Battle lines were drawn in Hastings, a small town located on the coast of Sussex. The fate of the country hung in the balance as two powerful armies clashed in a fierce battle that would determine the next ruler of England. The battle was marked by intense fighting, with sword, lance, and bow playing pivotal roles in determining the outcome.

K. M. Ashman, in his epic showpiece finale to the Road to Hastings trilogy, brings to life the historical events that unfolded in 1066. This book is perfect for fans of Conn Iggulden and David Gilman, as it provides a detailed and captivating account of the struggle for the throne and the ultimate victory of William the Conqueror.

The death of Edward the Confessor marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in English history. The fight to replace him was fierce, with many noblemen and warriors vying for the throne. Harold Godwinson, anointed king by Edward on his deathbed, faced strong opposition from Duke William and his brother, Tostig. However, Harold was determined to claim the throne and protect the interests of the Anglo-Saxon people.

Duke William, on the other hand, was determined to claim the throne for himself and establish his own dynasty. He saw the opportunity presented by the death of Edward and prepared his invasion fleet to sail across the channel and invade England. William was supported by his brother, Tostig, who had promised to help him strike at the very heart of England.

The battle of Hastings was fought on October 14, 1066, and it was a fierce and bloody affair. The two armies clashed in a battle that lasted for several hours, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Harold's army, consisting of Anglo-Saxon and Norman warriors, was outnumbered and outgunned by William's army, which was composed of French and Flemish soldiers.

Despite the odds, Harold's army fought bravely and managed to hold off William's forces for several hours. However, in the end, William's army was victorious, and Harold was killed in the battle. Tostig, who had betrayed Harold and helped William invade England, was also killed in the battle.

The death of Harold Godwinson marked the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in English history. Duke William, the victor of the battle of Hastings, was crowned the new king of England, and he established his own dynasty. The battle of Hastings was a significant event in English history, as it marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era and the beginning of the Norman conquest.

The battle of Hastings also had a lasting impact on the political and social structure of England. The Norman conquest brought new laws, customs, and traditions to England, and it led to the development of the English feudal system. The feudal system was a complex system of social hierarchy that divided society into different classes, with the king at the top and the serfs at the bottom.

The battle of Hastings also had a lasting impact on the cultural and artistic landscape of England. The Norman conquest brought new ideas and influences to England, and it led to the development of new forms of art and literature. The Norman architecture, for example, was characterized by its use of stone and its intricate designs, and it was a departure from the Anglo-Saxon architecture that had been prevalent in England for centuries.

In conclusion, the year 1066 marked a significant turning point in the history of England. The death of Edward the Confessor initiated a series of events that would shape the course of the nation for years to come. The battle of Hastings, fought between Harold Godwinson and Duke William, was a fierce and bloody affair that marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era and the beginning of the Norman conquest. The battle had a lasting impact on the political, social, cultural, and artistic landscape of England, and it helped to establish the English feudal system and the Norman dynasty.

Weight: 218g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800323681