Nineteen Days in Autumn

FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE IT WAS MADE NEARLY 1,000 YEARS AGO, THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY RETURNS TO ENGLAND IN A MAJOR EXHIBITION AT THE BRITISH MUSEUM. Now, uncover the incredible true story behind the tapestry with this definitive character-led history of the most famous year in English history - 1066. 'A thrilling journey ... history as it should be written' ALICE LOXTON 'Dazzlingly creative ... brings the eleventh century to life' ANTHONY BALE 'Erin Goeres is a stunning new voice in medieval history' SUZANNAH LIPSCOMB On 5 January 1066, Edward the Confessor's death plunged England into a succession crisis that would change the kingdom forever. Mere hours after Edward's remains had been laid to rest, his brother-in-law Harold II seized power, inciting the wrath of two formidable challengers: King Haraldr Sigurðarson of Norway and Edward's ambitious cousin, William, Duke of Normandy. In this startling new history, Dr Erin Goeres unveils the intense drama that unfolded, culminating in the tumultuous nineteen days between the battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings in the autumn of 1066 - the decisive event that ended Anglo-Scandinavian rule, secured the Norman Conquest and transformed medieval England. Drawing together sources from the three regions at the heart of the fray - England, Normandy and Scandinavia - Goeres uncovers the complex histories, characters and motivations that shaped one of the most defining moments in British and European history. We discover the stories of Tostig Godwinson, Harold II's estranged brother; of William the Conqueror's enigmatic wife, Matilda of Flanders, alleged lover of Harold of England; and we meet the regular people swept up in events beyond their control, such as an English farmer beheaded for his unwillingness to give up his fur-lined coat to a Norwegian invader. Rich in new research and vivid storytelling, Nineteen Days in Autumn reveals the gripping tale of three nations entwined and the enthralling yet devastating consequences of their unravelling. _________ 'Visceral, thrilling and unexpectedly gripping given we all know the outcome!' EMMA SOUTHON 'With more treachery, tragedy and cliffhangers than an episode of Game of Thrones, Nineteen Days in Autumn makes for an exhilarating read' HETTA HOWES 'Brilliant and compelling' TABITHA STANMORE 'Written with imagination and flair, this book vividly brings to life the real human stories at the heart of the fateful events of 1066.' ELEANOR PARKER