This series is interesting in its own right and of course later in the series we will have the inevitable clash with the Byzantine empire.
In the first episode of an exciting three-part series, Professor Robert Bartlett explores how the Normans developed from a band of marauding Vikings into the formidable warriors who conquered England in 1066. He tells how the Normans established their new province of Normandy -‘land of the northmen’ – in northern France. They went on to build some of the finest churches in Europe and turned into an unstoppable force of Christian knights and warriors, whose legacy is all around us to this day. Under the leadership of Duke William, the Normans expanded into the neighbouring provinces of northern France. But William’s greatest achievement was the conquest of England in 1066. The Battle of Hastings marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and monarchy. The culture and politics of England would now be transformed by the Normans.
Episode three, due next week on 18 August covers the Norman’s in Sicily and the capture of Constantinople.
Watch the first two programmes on BBC iPlayer now and catch up with episode three on there if you miss it next week. Episode one will expire on iPlayer by 25 Aug and episode two by 1 Sep so don’t delay!
