The Norman Conquest

Extremely well-written, readable, and comprehensive, covering the entirety of the reigns of Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwineson, and William the Conqueror, as well as an extensive prologue and epilogue. Morris takes the Norman side on the key legal questions of whether Edward promised the Crown to William, and whether Harold in his turn pledged to support this claim, but I think the chronicle evidence supports this view. Certainly, neither the Confessor nor the Conqueror emerges from this account covered in glory, but the Godwine family bear the brunt of criticism - again, not unfairly. All in all, well worth reading for a detailed but not dusty overview of the Conquest and its aftermath.