Conquest: A thrilling historical novel set during the Norman Conquest (The Medieval Saga Series Book 1)

A excellent historical story I hadn't had much of a education in this time of Britain's history when at school some 50 years ago other than the basic about King herald getting a arrow in the eye. So it was quite interesting getting some back story to the event around that time. From a perspective of fictional people. Well written by David field like all his books that I have read

I am familiar with this author and have enjoyed several of his “Jack Enright” crime stories set in Victorian London. David seems equally able to place his stories in different centuries and this one, set in the time of King Harold, immediately before the 1066 Norman invasion, was, for me, just as enjoyable. Harold’s claim to the throne after Edward the Confessor’s death was weak as he had only been Edward’s brother-in-law, but the Witan - the King’s council - choose him. The Conquest cleverly combines history with fiction and we are introduced to various characters living in Pevensey; where William the Conqueror’s troops first arrive. One of the main fictional characters is Will Riveracre, the son of Eldred (the local miller). Will rather fancies Annis, the daughter of a local wagon driver, but Cedric the elder son of the Lord of the Manor also likes her and a fight ensues between Will and Cedric. Will believing (wrongly) that he has killed Cedric, runs away from the village and meets some soldiers of King Harold and ends up being conscripted. Harold’s soldiers were in the area trying to hunt down a French priest called Guilluame, who apparently was the Chaplin to Duke William and in France had been a witness to the agreement by Harold that he would not stand in the way of William’s succession to the English Throne on Edward’s death, as Edward had promised William the throne some years back. However, with Guilluame out of the way Harold believed his claim to the throne would be stronger, but of course there were other claimants to that throne who thought they would also be better placed and who planned to oust King Harold. However, it’s now 1066 and all these plans were cast aside as William decided to stake his claim to the throne by invading England. In this delightful book, joining history with fiction once again, Will Riveracre is now appointed as an aide to William with the role to convince the people of England that resistance is useless and that nobody who accepts William as their ruler will be killed. Resistance, of course, is not stamped out that quickly and again turning to the history of this period, we learn of the much less well-known activities of Edgar the Aetheling (the son of Edward’s nephew who also felt he had a claim to the throne). Edgar, with the help of King Malcolm of Scotland, tries to raise a strong resistance force against William; this of course is not successful, but it does add very well to the story. All in all, this was a well written and enjoyable book which seamlessly joins together the history surrounding the Norman invasion with the interesting lives of the English people living in the areas of Pevensey Bay and Hastings at the time, who either lost their lives or survived.

Like most people my age we were taught about William the Conquerer and the Normans, but in later life I became more interested in later history. This book has brought me right back to 1066 .Now for book 2.

One of the reviews given here says that the level of this story is aimed at teenage readers, and if it is then that's fine. Although I am certain that there are teenagers who would like some more detail. I have to agree with that review.It is easy to read but there isn't much of a plot there. It gives an impression of a summary of the story rather than the story itself. It skims through and both, the story itself and the characters are lacking depth. It is difficult to engage either with the fictional story line or the historical background, and you forget about it, when you put the book down. It flows, as it is rather simplistic, so if you just want to kill the time, rather than hope to find your next favourite book, it is ok but, if you are a seasoned reader of historical novels, and you have expectations for a page turner with some more complexity and detail, Sansom or Cornwell it is not.

1066: who was going to invade, when and where? This fascinating book tells the story of the invasions in 1066 and their aftermath from a refreshing point of view: that of Will Riveracre, a millers son. It was quite different to see things from a ‘boots on the ground’ perspective, rather than from a regal or noble’s viewpoint. Real life characters were very neatly woven with fictional characters to tell this story and I found it really easy to read, very enjoyable and very interesting to learn more about the first invasion in 1066 in the north of England, as this is generally overshadowed by the successful invasion of William of Normandy.Thanks to Sapere Books for a review copy.

A tail trial, retribution and a mixture of love and hate Enthralling. Names I remember from school day studies.The world hasn’t changed much we still kill in thousands.

Looking for a book/s to entertain.Conquest did just that. Now looking to continue the series with just as much enthusiasm

I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of the medieval series by David Fields in the future.

Glad for once to see a history of the Norman conquest that is a) told from the perspective of Anglo Saxon common people and b) extends both well before and after the conquest into William’s “scorched earth” rampage through the north of England, again from the perspective of Anglo saxons who had occasion to interact with both William and Earls of the north. It’s not Bernard Cornwell quality writing, but it’s not lousy either. Certainly refreshing to read something from the “common man’s” perspective vs yet ANOTHER book recounting William’s origin story (and yes, I’ve read every single one - along with Emma’s and Harold’s, and Harold Hardrada’s, etc). Obviously anything from a common fighting man or (gasp) a woman must be imagined but Field does is well. Kudos to him! I’m looking forward to reading the rest of his series.I enjoyed his crossover into Carol McGrath’s “the Swan Wife’s territory” - another favorite series for those interested in the conquest. Thank you for adding to the Conquest lexicon!

As it is written, difficult to believe the character could be closely involved in the major events of the early medieval age.

An historical novel, but still a novel. I'm surprised at some opinions here that tear it down. I found the history to be informative and basically true, yet the characters are defined enough to make it a page-turner. An easy read that will not command weeks in a never-ending slog. I found myself looking up the history of it all, filling in blanks of knowledge I already had.

I always enjoy David Field’s books and thus was no exception. Solid research and believable characters combine to make a great story.

Story describes William of Normandy’s invasion of England, and all the different components of the invasion from the perspective of a English/Saxon peasant. Well written, very entertaining. Highly recommended.