A short history of the Norman Conquest of England

"A Short History of the Norman Conquest of England" by Edward A. Freeman is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The text explores the events and consequences surrounding the Norman Duke William's invasion and subsequent ascension to the English throne in the 11th century. The book delves into how the conquest shaped the sociopolitical landscape of England, radically altering its history and governance. At the start of the book, Freeman introduces the concept of the Norman Conquest as a significant turning point in English history, setting the stage for an exploration of both the causes and effects of this event. He outlines the differing characteristics between the English and Normans before the invasion, noting the long-established English presence in Britain compared to the more recent Norman settlers in Normandy. Additionally, Freeman begins to touch on the early conflicts and interactions between the two groups, fostering a foundation for understanding how the conquest unfolded and its lasting implications on English identity and politics. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Edward Augustus Freeman was an English historian, architectural artist, and Liberal politician during the late-19th-century heyday of Prime Minister William Gladstone, as well as a one-time candidate for Parliament. He held the position of Regius Professor of Modern History at Oxford, where he tutored Arthur Evans; later he and Evans were activists in the Balkan uprising of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1874–1878) against the Ottoman Empire.