English Resistance

In 1066, the English were conquered by the infamous invader, William the Conqueror. However, this is not the whole story - the English did not roll over and die before their oppressors; far from it. For over five years, the English violently rebelled against the invading Norman people, murdering quislings, burning towns and sacking cathedrals. Peter Rex tells the story of each rebellion, their often colourful leaders (including Hereward the Wake, Edgar the Aetheling and Edric the Wild) and the rebels themselves, whom the Normans called 'silvatici' or forest dwellers. He also considers William's pacification attempts, especially his notorious 'harrying' of the north which amounted to genocide. If you thought it was all over with King Harold's death, this book reinforces the view that the English are not easily overcome.