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Overview

Discover how Queen Emma of Normandy, Cnut and the Danish conquest reshaped England before 1066.

Charles Boundy returns with a dramatic new chapter in England’s early story: Triumph to Trauma (940 to 1042) – Danes before Normans: the Conquest before The Conquest!

This talk takes on England’s story from the death of its first king, Athelstan, through a rapid succession of Wessex kings of England to the traumas of Aethelred’s reign, when the Viking hordes of Alfred’s time morphed into a Danish national army under their fearsome King Sweyn ‘Forkbeard’. After a series of twists and turns Sweyn’s son, Cnut, became king of England as well as Denmark, with his eyes set on a composite North Sea Empire. Having nearly destroyed the country, Cnut stabilised it, before his two sons nearly threw away what their father had re-created. This period also brings in the redoubtable Emma of Normandy, queen to both Aethelred and Cnut, and the first real links with Normandy that were to dominate England’s future. To understand the Norman Conquest, it certainly helps to understand its prequel.

As before, we’ll allow some time for questions and comments.

Charles’s new book Conquest to Charter – The Resilience of England 940 to 1272, which supports this and Charles’s other planned talks, is now out and available from all good booksellers or from the publishers direct. For more details see https://www.charlesboundy.com

About the Speaker

Charles Boundy

I grew up in the north-west and moved south after graduation. A law degree led me to a busy (and challenging!) career as a commercial lawyer, advising and representing a wide range of clients in relation to their business affairs and transactions. After some management experience, I wrote and published several articles through the Media Guardian plus three books on business contracts. Looking for a further challenge, I took an MPhil degree in Leadership and Management before moving on to become Group Legal Director for a major publishing group.

Having moved out of London to South Oxfordshire, I’ve been able to return to my love of history alongside many years of intensive environmental work, developing the concept of a Green Living Plan for my town from blank slate concept through to formal adoption by the town council. It’s still left time for some exciting travel destinations, a passion for hill walking in Britain and keeping in touch with an ever-evolving family. I’ve been a local u3a member for over twelve years, active in several groups including walking, history, wine, German conversation and pétanque (French-style boules) .

My first history book – Ice to Athelstan – The Emergence of England – has been well received and led to a number of talks to local u3a and other organisations on periods during the 10,000 year span covered by Ice to Athelstan, to which Conquest to Charter is the follow-up.

This event is for u3a members only.

Not a member? Find out more and join here