Weaving together period sources and a fast-paced narrative, this is a rich history of the years leading up to 1066 when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and Normans vied for the English crown.

SHORTLISTED FOR MILITARY HISTORY MATTERS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

Includes all the key individuals that inspired the final season of Netflix's Vikings: Valhalla and the brand-new BBC drama King and Conqueror.

Bloody battles, political intrigues and dynastic marriages all played a part in shaping a nascent England. Battle for the Island Kingdom is a rich history of the violent six decades when Vikings, Anglo-Saxons and ultimately Normans vied for the English crown before the seismic Battle of Hastings determined the fate of England for centuries.

Discover the defining personalities of the age, from the English king Aethelred and his nemesis Viking Svein Forkbeard to Cnut who forged an empire across England and Scandinavia only for his Norman queen Emma and Saxon consort Aelfifu to pit his sons against each other. We discover how the power-hungry Earl Godwin plays all sides until his own son Harold eventually seizes the crown and why Harold's brother Tostig chose to betray both him and his people for the Norman William the Bastard, who would become William the Conqueror.

This is a gripping tale of divided loyalties, treason and military might by master storyteller Don Hollway, author of the critically acclaimed The Last Viking.

"A great book both for those exploring the story behind the Norman Conquest for the first time, and for more knowledgeable readers who want to read a fresh account of it." - Aspects of History

"Battle for the Island Kingdom is thoroughly enjoyable, and is recommended to anyone looking for a comprehensive and accessible history of the period." - Military History Matters

"The story of England and how it came to be a Norman possession is an intricate and fascinating one. This is a very readable book which opens up this complex period." - Battlefield