1066: The Year That Changed Everything

By: Jennifer Paxton, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Jennifer Paxton

With this exciting and historically rich six-lecture course, experience for yourself the drama of this dynamic year in medieval history, centered on the landmark Norman Conquest. Taking you from the shores of Scandinavia and France to the battlefields of the English countryside, these lectures will plunge you into a world of fierce Viking warriors, powerful noble families, politically charged marriages, tense succession crises, epic military invasions, and much more.

Your journey starts in the 10th and early 11th centuries, when power in England and Normandy was very much up for grabs - and when the small island nation was under continuous assault from Viking forces. Professor Paxton helps you gain a solid grasp of the complex political alliances and shifting relationships between figures such as Emma of Normandy, Cnut, and Edward the Confessor. She also recounts for you the two seminal battles that pitted England against the Scandinavians and the Normans: the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the Battle of Hastings. Throughout the lectures, Dr. Paxton opens your eyes to continued debates and controversies over this year and offers her own take on the Norman Conquest's enduring legacy and the fascinating results of this epic clash. By exploring the year 1066 – what led up to it, what happened during that fateful year, and what changed as a result - you'll gain a sharper perspective and a greater understanding of everything that would come afterward.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Terrific!

Professor Paxton does an outstanding job. She covers every angle of the Norman invasion, including the decades beforehand and what lead to it. I especially liked her discussion of how William consolidated power in England in the years after Hastings, most of which was totally new to me. If you're interested in English history, you'll love this.

Interesting history!

Interesting history. Nothing life-changing though just trying to write a 15 word review here ha ha.

Wonderfully Accessible

Well-presented and accessible history of a critical period in world history. His helped me to understand the complexities of relationships in this period and the manner in which they shaped history.

Clearly told story

I enjoyed every second of this lecture. Brought me back to being in a college lecture hall listening to an excellent professor.

Very well done!

Clear and informative. The professor knows her stuff. A complete understanding of the events. I really enjoyed this.