S1E2: Conquest | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Duration: 58'59''

Synopsis

In nine short hours, William the Conqueror triumphed at the Battle of Hastings - and England was changed forever. Simon Schama recounts the saga of blood, betrayal and ambition that led up to this pivotal battle and describes the profound consequences that followed.

Further Information

More clips from A History of Britain by Simon Schama

A successful Viking invasion and an introduction to Edward the Confessor | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

A successful Viking invasion and an introduction to Edward the Confessor | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 2'45''

Simon Schama explores the circumstances in which Edward the C...

Harald Hardrada and the Battle of Stamford Bridge | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Harald Hardrada and the Battle of Stamford Bridge | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 4'52''

Simon Schama investigates the character of Harald Hardrada and the circumstances of ...

Harold Godwinsons embassy to Normandy | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

Harold Godwinsons embassy to Normandy | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 4'29''

Simon Schama investigates the Bayeux Tapestry and the story of Harold Godwinson's journey to Fra...

The Battle of Hastings | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The Battle of Hastings | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 6'49''

Simon Schama discusses the 1066 Battle of Hastings.

The death of Edward the Confessor | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The death of Edward the Confessor | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 1'27''

Simon Schama discusses the problems around who would succeed Edward the Confessor.

The Domesday Book | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The Domesday Book | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'04''

Simon Schama discusses the Domesday Book, a survey of England that William the Conqueror ordered.

The exile of Tostig | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

The exile of Tostig | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 1'47''

Simon Schama discusses how and why Harold betrayed his brother Tostig.

More resources about Norman conquest and feudalism

1: 1066 | Historyonics

1: 1066 | Historyonics

BBC One | 2004 | 29'01''

Nick Knowles sets out to find the truth behind the story of William the Conqueror and King Harold. Why and how did the two protagonists of the Battle ...

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain

1: Age of Conquest | Seven Ages of Britain

BBC HD | 2010 | 59'09''

David Dimbleby charts the last 2,000 years of Britain through its art and treasure. The first part begins with the Roman invasion ...

1: Instruments of Invasion | Castles: Britain's Fortified History

1: Instruments of Invasion | Castles: Britain's Fortified History

BBC Four | 2014 | 58'59''

Sam Willis shows how the castle arrived as an instrument of invasion with the Normans but became a weapon w...

1: Romans to Normans | Michael Wood's Story of England

1: Romans to Normans | Michael Wood's Story of England

BBC Four | 2010 | 58'57''

Michael Wood uncovers the history of Kibworth's first 1,000 years, with a Roman villa, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and evide...

1: The Norman Conquest | History File

1: The Norman Conquest | History File

BBC Two | 1994 | 19'02''

For his part in the Norman Conquest, Alan the Red was rewarded with vast estates all over England. Programme visits Alan's castle in Yo...

1: The Normans and their Castles | Castle

1: The Normans and their Castles | Castle

Channel 4 | 2003 | 49'14''

Marc Morris consults the Bayeux Tapestry and archaeological evidence to discover how castles evolved over a 600-year period, and re...

1066: A Year to Conquer England

1066: A Year to Conquer England

BBC Two | 2017 | 58'27''

Dan Snow explores the political intrigues and family betrayals between Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans that led to war and the Battle of Ha...

2: Domesday to Magna Carta | Michael Wood's Story of England

2: Domesday to Magna Carta | Michael Wood's Story of England

BBC Four | 2010 | 59'08''

Michael Wood's unique portrait of one village through the whole of English history moves on to 1066, when the in...

2: The Battle of Hastings | Battlefield Britain

2: The Battle of Hastings | Battlefield Britain

BBC Two | 2004 | 58'14''

Peter and Dan Snow on the battles that shaped our nation, using state-of-the-art graphics. The story of the turbulent events ...

3: Gangs | The Long View

3: Gangs | The Long View

BBC Radio 4 | 2003 | 27'50''

Benjamin Zephaniah is among the guests joining Jonathan Freedland for a story of thuggery and intimidation in medieval Leicestershire that sheds lig...

3: Impact of the Monk | In Search of Scotland

3: Impact of the Monk | In Search of Scotland

BBC Two | 2001 | 29'08''

In the middle ages monasticism was a potent force in society with the monks having an important impact on lay activities. Fiona...

3: The Arrival of Chess | Games People Played

3: The Arrival of Chess | Games People Played

BBC Two | 1981 | 9'56''

Michael Dean and David BROWN from the Ashmolean Museum Oxford, discuss the arrival of chess in England at the time of the Norma...

5: Durham Cathedral | Britain's Best Buildings

5: Durham Cathedral | Britain's Best Buildings

BBC Parliament | 2017 | 48'05''

Dan Cruickshank investigates Durham Cathedral, a structure utilising advanced engineering that was a century ahead of its time.

A successful Viking invasion and an introduction to Edward the Confessor | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

A successful Viking invasion and an introduction to Edward the Confessor | A History of Britain by Simon Schama

BBC Two | 2008 | 2'45''

Simon Schama explores the circumstances in which Edward the C...

Boat-building | Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

Boat-building | Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

BBC Four | 2022 | 4'25''

One particular enlightening archaeological lesson was how boats were built.

Castles | Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

Castles | Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

BBC Four | 2022 | 2'29''

The Tapestry also reveals a new type of a castle being built by the Normans, ones that are raised for strategic military advantage.

Commissioner | Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

Commissioner | Mysteries of the Bayeux Tapestry

BBC Four | 2022 | 2'21''

It is thought the commissioner of the Tapestry was William's brother Odo, as he features regularly and always in a good light.

Design of the Book | Domesday

Design of the Book | Domesday

BBC Two | 2010 | 2'24''

Dr Stephen Baxter explores the layout and design of the Doomsday Book.

Domesday

Domesday

BBC Two | 2010 | 59'04''

Dr Stephen Baxter reveals the human and political drama that lies within the parchment of England's earliest surviving public record, the Domesday Book, commissione...

Episode 2 | 1066: A Year to Conquer England

Episode 2 | 1066: A Year to Conquer England

BBC Two | 2017 | 58'22''

King Harold of England has to take on two invasion forces. His brother Tostig attacks the south coast, then King Harald Hardrada ...

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Hand in Hand school in Jerusalem | The Story of the Jews

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Simon Schama visits the Hand in Hand School in Jerusalem where Jewish and Arab students are educated together.

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A reading and analysis of John Donne's poem 'To His Mistress Going to Bed'.

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BBC Two | 2006 | 59'22''

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