Step Back in Time to 1066: A Pivotal Year in History The year 1066 stands out as a defining moment in the nation's past: the year of the legendary Battle of Hastings. Why Does 1066 Matter? . A turning point that transformed the country's leadership and culture . The end of one era and the beginning of another . The rise of William the Conqueror as England's first Norman king Discover the story behind this game-changing event in graphic novel form! This graphic novel delves into every detail, from the fateful choices and strategies that led William of Normandy to claim the English throne, to the dramatic demise of Harold, presented in informative and easy-to-understand language, with fun, fascinating, and brilliantly colourful illustrations. Dive into the key moments that shaped history: . The crowning of Harold as King . The clash at Stamford Bridge . The Battle of Hastings . The grand coronation of William as King of England on Christmas Day Discover these moments and more Dive into the pages and relive history like never before. This captivating graphic novel brings history to life with vivid, comic-strip panels that transport readers straight into the heart of the action. You'll uncover: . Key events and the prominent figures who shaped both sides of the conflict . Strategies and tools used by the armies in their struggle for power . Insights into the diverse languages and cultures of the era Perfect for Young Historians and Enthusiasts! AGES: 11 plus 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.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Prelude
Harold’s coronation
Battle of Stamford Bridge
William lands at Pevensey
Harold races down from the North
The Battle of Hastings
The battle formations, armour and weapons of the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans
The Normans attack
The Anglo-Saxon flank charges and is routed
Harold goes on the offensive
William rallies his men
Leofwine – Harold’s brother and battle commander – is killed by a Norman cavalry charge
Gyrth – Harold’s other brother and battle commander – is killed by a Norman javelin
William launches his final assault
Harold receives a mortal wound
The myth of Harold being killed by an arrow to the eye
The Anglo-Saxons start to flee
The pursuing Norman knights are slaughtered in a swamp
The battle ends and the looting starts
What happened to Harold’s body?
The aftermath
14-year-old Anglo-Saxon prince Edgar the Atheling is proclaimed King of England by the Witan
William marches on London
The Witan submits to William
William is crowned King of England on Christmas Day
Glossary
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.
Review :
Author and artist Stuart Douch doesn’t sugar coat what this time was like. There were feuds, there was emotive language, there was blood! The battle scenes don’t leave much to the imagination. I love this. The violence is shown in a historical context and although unsuitable for younger children, Key Stage 2 will be able to understand the reasons behind showing it.
Stuart Douch has taught English and history for twenty years. He is going to know what engages children and which parts to handle with care. His educational mindset comes across, as this book is very much a teaching tool. The narrator pops up to clarify points of contention or commonly held myths.
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. This gets a thumbs up from me. The bibliography is also a great inclusion. This is a book for Key Stage 2 and above. It’s both a learning resource and an engaging story.
With incredibly distinctive illustrations and, of course, a graphic novel format this book gives younger readers a new insight into the events leading up to the infamous Battle of Hastings as well as the battle itself. See history as never before in this new book.
...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. Discover what the armies might have looked like, how they used their weapons and what battle tactics they used! As an added bonus you can even learn some words from the languages of the time...
What sets this graphic novel apart is its visual power. The illustrations are brilliantly colourful, filled with motion and emotion, turning battles and political manoeuvres into scenes of real drama. 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.
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!
What sets this graphic novel apart is its visual power. The illustrations are brilliantly colourful, filled with motion and emotion, turning battles and political manoeuvres into scenes of real drama. 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.
