David Crouch (1) (1953–)

This is a solid and accessible overview of the Norman rulers of England: from the first appearance of their Viking ancestors in northwest France, to William's conquest of England in 1066, to the death of Stephen in 1154. There were some small interpretations of character that one might quibble with, and at least one odd error that I caught (Crouch says that Marie of Boulogne "died in 1182 without issue" (282), but she had two daughters by Mathieu of Alsace), but this is a good introduction show more to the political history of eleventh- and twelfth-century England. I particularly appreciated the fact that Crouch didn't ignore the contributions of women to the politics of the age, even though I think that he's too influenced by Duby's ideas of patrilineage (For instance, I don't know how much someone in the twelfth century would have agreed that Henry FitzEmpress was "all too obviously not a Norman but a proud member of another lineage, that of the Angevins" (289) just because his descent was in the female line.) show less

An excellent analysis of the sources for the Marshal's life and career, a critical evaluation of the remarkable Histoire and the evidence of charters. The more thematic last third of the book is rather dry reading, however.

Excellent introduction not only to current state of debates about, for example, the existence of 'feudalism,' but also an excellent introduction to how the study of nobility got to where it is today. Few books manage to treat in detail both their medieval topic and the medieval studies that called their topic into view.

A significant work on the life and times of William Marshal, as well as a study of it's main source, L'Histoire de Guillaume de Marechal, presented in an accessible and readable style. The book is packed with facts and detailed information, much more than the number of pages would suggest, as well as an excellent bibliography and copious amounts of notes. I would have liked more illustrations, but that is a minor quibble. Well-written and evidencing sterling research, this is a serious work show more of medieval history. show less