I would definitely recommend this book and don't let the 500+ pages put you off. I knew the story of William the Conqueror through history lessons and through other books I'd read, but it was fascinating to have it written from a mainly Norman perspective and largely William himself. The characters are beautifully written and it puts flesh on the bones of such a well-known name, but also those who were significant in the events leading up to 1066 that are perhaps not as easily recognised, such as Mathilda. I was not aware that William and Mathilda had married for love and this aspect which was such a rare occurrence shows a completely different side to the man often regarded as a cold hearted tyrant. Some of the more gruesome events are not for the fainthearted, but they are integral to the plot rather than gratuitous  and are not lingered over. I haven’t read the other two titles in this trilogy, but will certainly be doing so, however this can be also be read as a stand alone.

Duke William of Normandy has secured his right to rule and fought off off the major threats to Normandy. He is happily ensconced with his wife Matilda and their growing brood of children. However when the King of England offers the throne to William upon his death, William has the opportunity for so much more. The nobles of England do not feel that this is right, particularly Harold and Tostig of Wessex. However the King sends Harold over to Normandy to make the offer and William demands a loyalty pledge from Harold in return. On the death of the King, Harold reneges on his promise and William has only one course of action open to him, he must invade England and settle the matter once and for all.

Covering the twenty years between William's battles with the French King and his victory at Hastings, this is a fictionalised version of events. Whilst I do not feel Churchill is the strongest fiction writer in the world, his prose is clunky at times and the plot jumps all over the place, I do think that he has a way of writing about battle and medieval politics that is to be admired.