{"product_id":"battle-for-the-island-kingdom-englands-destiny-1000-1066-9781472858931","title":"Battle for the Island Kingdom: England's Destiny 1000-1066","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHORTLIST FOR MILITARY HISTORY MATTERS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeaving together period sources and a fast-paced narrative, this is a rich history of the years leading up to 1066 when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans vied for the English crown.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncludes all the key individuals that inspired the final season of Netflix's \u003ci\u003eVikings: Valhalla \u003c\/i\u003eand the brand-new BBC drama \u003ci\u003eKing and Conqueror\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBloody battles, political intrigues and dynastic marriages all played a part in shaping a nascent England. \u003ci\u003eBattle for the Island Kingdom\u003c\/i\u003e is a rich history of the violent six decades when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and ultimately Normans vied for the English crown before the seismic Battle of Hastings determined the fate of England for centuries. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDiscover the defining personalities of the age, from the English king Aethelred and his nemesis Viking Svein Forkbeard to Cnut who forged an empire across England and Scandinavia only for his Norman queen Emma and Saxon consort Aelfifu to pit his sons against each other. We discover how the power-hungry Earl Godwin plays all sides until his own son Harold eventually seizes the crown and why Harold's brother Tostig chose to betray both him and his people for the Norman William the Bastard, who would become William the Conqueror. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThisis a gripping tale of divided loyalties, treason and military might by master storyteller Don Hollway, author of the critically acclaimed \u003ci\u003eThe Last Viking\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDon Hollway\u003c\/b\u003e is an author and historian. His first book, \u003ci\u003eThe Last Viking\u003c\/i\u003e, is a gripping history of King Harald Hardrada which was acclaimed by bestselling author Stephen Harding, by Carl Gnam of \u003ci\u003eMilitary Heritage\u003c\/i\u003e magazine and by Michael Dirda in \u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post\u003c\/i\u003e. He is also a classical rapier fencer. His work is also available at www.donhollway.com. He lives in Pennsylvania.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Osprey Publishing (UK)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50613189673234,"sku":"9781472858931","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0868cbfc-8f84-4116-982c-cc50761e2b1d.jpg?v=1756797616","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/battle-for-the-island-kingdom-englands-destiny-1000-1066-9781472858931","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}