Landscapes of the Norman Conquest examines the destruction and rebuilding associated with Norman rule, including changes to Canterbury, Lincoln, and Norwich. Its detailed maps and information earn praise, while the many black-and-white illustrations are a drawback. The review challenges the blurb's claim that 1066 was necessarily the single most important date in English history. It also cautions that a strong focus on transformed towns can obscure a society in which most people did not live in urban environments. The book is recommended for its landscape evidence, with reservations about conclusions that may reach beyond that evidence.
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Landscapes of the Norman Conquest tests claims about 1066
A map-rich study of Norman towns and landscapes earns praise for its evidence while prompting questions about how far urban transformation represents the whole population.