On 14 October 1066, Harold Godwinson, last King of the English,
died on Senlac Ridge outside Hastings while defending his kingdom against an
invading army led by William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy. When he died on
the battlefield, the English army melted away. With no clear replacement to
lead the English defense against the invaders, the way was clear for the beginning
of the Norman Conquest.
The Norman Conquest was the most pivotal event in English history.
The Norman Conquest then influenced the English monarchy, government, society,
language, and outlook for centuries.
Now a new e-book on CD-ROM provides an excellent insight into
this pivotal point in history. According to the brochure for 1066 & The
Norman Conquest, the CD-ROM disk will allow you to:
- Read about the reasons for the Norman invasion and conquest of England.
- Meet those involved in the claims to the throne.
- Study the armies who fought in 1066 and discover how the battles were won.
- Find out how the English resisted the Normans for 34 years and read about
those who led them.
- Understand the changes the Norman Conquest wrought in English society and
the English language.
The CD-ROM also includes the novel Woden's Wolf, a story
of one man's resistance to the Normans.
I used the CD-ROM for a bit this week and found it to be very
user-friendly. All of the files on the CD-ROM are in HTML and PDF formats; that
is, you can view them with a Web browser and with Adobe Acrobat reader, a free
program. The CD-ROM disk should work equally well on Windows and Macintosh.
I even tried it on a Linux system and had success there as well. The format
of this e-book allows you to jump back and forth from one topic to another,
somewhat similar to surfing the Web. The CD is filled with stories and anecdotes.
Written by Geoff Boxell, this CD-ROM was made with the help and
co-operation of Regia Anglorum and Ða Engliscan Gesiðas. It includes numerous
graphics, drawings, and photographs. In addition, it contains animations, sound,
and video clips. This educational CD-ROM is designed to fit the requirements
of the English National Curriculum, Stage 3, Unit 1, as set by the Department
for Education and Employment, London. It can also be used as a base for General
Certificate of Secondary Education studies. It will also appeal to history buffs
worldwide.
The 1066 & The Norman Conquest CD-ROM sells for $15.00
U.S. funds, £10.00 in the U.K., and $20 in Australian and New Zealand dollars.
All prices include shipping and handling. You can order it from Wendlewulf Productions,
60 Oliver Street, Kihi kihi, 2430, New Zealand or via e-mail from Jan Gow at
Beehive Books: jangow@beehivebooks.co.nz
Dick Eastman Online
