England under the Norman and Angevin Kings: 1075-1225

A comprehensive social, cultural, and political history of England during the Norman and Angevin dynasties. Spanning from the consolidation of Norman rule after 1075 to the end of King John’s reign in 1225, the book explores the transformative impact of these rulers on English society.

Bartlett examines key developments, including the establishment of feudalism, the centralization of royal authority under figures like William the Conqueror, Henry II, and Richard the Lionheart, and the administrative innovations such as the Domesday Book and early common law. It covers the cultural synthesis of Norman, Anglo-Saxon, and Angevin influences, evident in architecture (e.g., castles and cathedrals), language (the rise of Anglo-Norman), and the Church’s role, including the Becket controversy.

The book also addresses social structures, detailing the nobility, peasantry, and emerging urban classes, alongside military campaigns like the Crusades and the 1215 Magna Carta’s origins under John. Bartlett integrates primary sources and archaeological evidence to depict a dynamic period of conquest, governance, and cultural exchange, framing England as a frontier society within a broader European context. Richly illustrated and detailed, it stands as a seminal work in medieval history.