1066: The Year of the Conquest
By: Mary Arnold
Introduction
In this critique of 1066: The Year of the Conquest, I will identify Howarth’s purpose in writing this book and discuss how well he fulfilled his purpose. Also I will evaluate the merits and shortcomings of this book in relation to the themes, sources used, and the author’s writing style.
Author’s Theme
Howarth’s 1066 was a description of the “tremendous drama [in England] that began on January 6 with the burial of King Edward in Westminster Abbey, and ended on Christmas Day in the same place with the coronation of King William” (7). Howarth balances his book by offering insights into the lives and characters of all people in England, from the peasants to the ruling classes, before and after the conquest.
Author’s Purpose
Howarth states that