800 – 1200
The Norman era of England began with the 1066 invasion by William the Conqueror. William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings led to Norman rule, profoundly shaping English history. The Bayeux Tapestry, an embroidered masterpiece, vividly depicts the events leading up to and including the invasion. The Domesday Book, commissioned by William, was a comprehensive survey of the land and its resources, providing a detailed snapshot of medieval England and its society.
Picture books
Chapter books
The King’s Shadow
Novel for middle-grade readers about a boy traveling with William the Conqueror
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Wulf the Saxon: A Story of the Norman Conquest
Novel about Saxons fighting in the Battle of Hastings
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1066 (I Was There…)
The Battle of Hastings from the point of view of a Saxon boy, suitable for younger readers
Buy
Non-fiction books
William the Conqueror (Ladybird Histories)
Classic biography of William the Conqueror
Buy
The Children’s Book of Domesday England
Great introduction to England in the time of the Domesday Book, William the Conqueror’s survey of England
Buy
Where Is the Tower of London?
History of the Tower of London, starting with its Norman construction
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Stormin’ Normans
Playful overview of the Normans
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The Split History of the Norman Conquest
Exploration of the Norman Conquest from each side- Anglo-Saxon and Norman
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