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William Rufus (Yale English Monarchs Series)
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| List Price: | £14.95 |
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Product Description
William II, better known as William Rufus, was the third son of William the Conqueror and England's king for only 13 years (1087-1100) before he was mysteriously assassinated. In this vivid biography, here updated and reissued with a new preface, Frank Barlow reveals an unconventional, flamboyant William Rufus a far more attractive and interesting monarch than previously believed. Weaving an intimate account of the life of the king into the wider history of Anglo-Norman government, Barlow shows how William confirmed royal power in England, restored the ducal rights in France, and consolidated the Norman conquest. A boisterous man, William had many friends and none of the cold cruelty of most medieval monarchs. He was famous for his generosity and courage, and generally known to be homosexual. Licentious, eccentric, and outrageous, his court was attacked at the time by Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, and later by censorious historians. This highly readable account of William Rufus and his brief but important reign is an essential volume for readers with an interest in Anglo-Saxon and medieval history or in the lives of extraordinary monarchs.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #281711 in Books
- Published on: 2000-03-14
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 512 pages
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Frank Barlow is emeritus professor of history at the University of Exeter, and author of many major books on medieval history, including the Yale English Monarch volume on Edward the Confessor (ISBN 0 300 07156 6, #13.95*).
Customer Reviews
A fascinating glimpse of life in early Norman England.
This book provides a fascinating glimpse of life in early Norman England. Full of impeccable scholarly detail, it is nevertheless a gripping read (even the taxation details are interesting!), and provides an understanding of how the country was run during this period. Frank Barlow brings to life the characters of the king and his circle of court officials and barons, and provides an alternative view of one of history's much-maligned rulers. Highly recommended.
