How to invade England – 1066 and all that

- March 17, 2026April 6, 2026

First published October 2015 William II Duke of Normandy didn’t read self-help books. He never spent an afternoon taking personality tests to find out if he was an ‘ENFP’ (enthusiastic, creative) or ENTA (commander...) nor did he worry over much about his personal brand. Because William knew exactly who he was, knew

The ghosts of Normandy past, in Sussex England

History

- October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

Our postcard shows the gatehouse of Battle Abbey, built with an impressive wall, to protect one of the richest Abbeys in England from marauding English and raiding French. Ironic considering its very existence is due to a promise made to a Pope by a Norman duke, in 1066. Exploring the Abbey

When Harold met William in 1064; a tale of quicksand and cunning

- April 22, 2017May 18, 2018

There is a stained glass window in the Église Notre-Dame at Pontorson that depicts an odd moment in Normandy history that took place just a couple of years before William invaded England. It is the story of Harold Godwinson’s unexpected visit to Normandy in 1064. Harold the hostage No one is entirely

The very private castle of William the Conqueror, at Bonneville-sur-Touques

- January 16, 2016February 25, 2024

When a building in Normandy calls itself ‘the old castle of William the Conqueror’ it is best to believe it, although we thought this one was probably a bit of an old folk tale. One of the Conqueror’s castles a private house? Surely a rare bit of Norman whimsy. No whimsy