1066: The Battle of Hastings - by Stuart Douch (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

1066: The Battle of Hastings is a graphic novel that retells one of the most important events in England's history.

1066 is one of the most famous dates in the history of the United Kingdom: the year of the Battle of Hastings. It was a key turning point in the nation's history, marking the end of the Anglo-Saxon era and the start of the Norman period.

This graphic novel tells the story of what happened before, during and after this iconic battle. Discover all the details surrounding the story, from the mistakes and decisions that meant William of Normandy became the first Norman king of England to how Harold was killed - was it by an arrow in the eye?

It will invite the reader to see the action in its comic-strip panels, and they will learn not only about the events and the key participants on both sides, but also the tactics and weapons the armies employed, and even learn some of the different languages of the time.

Review Quotes

"This book is very much a teaching tool. The narrator pops up to clarify points of contention or commonly held myths. I also learnt a great deal about the tactics of both armies, the types of people who fought and the weapons used. I also loved the injection of other languages, and the footnotes which translated these words and phrases. The glossary adds to this and some words come with a pronunciation guide." --Just Imagine

"1066 is probably one of the most famous days in the history of the British nation...Now this new interpretation shows readers what happened in the lead-up to the battle, the battle itself and its aftermath. See the mistakes and decisions that changed the course of the battle and the history of the nation played out in front of your eyes, in full colour." --Armadillo

"Powerful indeed are Douch's visuals: the brightly coloured illustrations of characters involved are splendidly expressive and the battles are portrayed as the truly dramatic, bloody events they surely were. The language he uses is accessible to primary age readers who cannot fail to be excited by the graphic storytelling; it's thoroughly immersive." --Red Reading Hub

"The comic strips bring the exciting history to life. The action comes straight off the pages! It also highlights the tactics and the weapons employed, the different languages of the time, as well as learning about the events and the key participants on both sides. This is a great way to learn about history!"--@family_book_club_

"Younger readers and history enthusiasts alike will find themselves drawn into the story of ambition, bravery, and fate. 1066: The Battle of Hastings doesn't just retell history -- it lets you experience it. A must-read for anyone who wants to see how one battle reshaped an entire nation." --@booksb4bedtime

About the Author

Stuart Douch is a teacher and artist living in Lancing, West Sussex. He has taught mainly English and history for over 20 years, ten of which he was a headteacher. He and his wife live with their two cats and rabbits. He enjoys singing in a local choir, learning languages - including the five non-English languages in this book - drawing, and reading literature and history.