Saxon and Norman Kings. 450-1154

Christopher Brooke, a historian and professor at the University of London, dedicated his book to the history of royal power in England. Observing the succession of kings on the throne, the author provides not only the dates of their reigns and battles but also insights into who they were: their tastes, interests, and achievements. Why was King Athelstan such an aficionado of "relics"? Was William II an atheist? Did Henry I participate in the murder of William II? In answering these questions, Brooke examines the nature of monarchical power, striving to free himself from modern prejudices and the opinions of those historians who saw royal authority merely as a source of tyranny.