I’m an expert historian and here’s how accurate BBC’s King and Conqueror is to real events

by

The BBC’s latest historical drama, King and Conqueror, has some strong talent in its leading men.

In this depiction, James Norton portrays the sorrowful and defeated historical figure, King Harold II (also known as Harold Godwinson), who finds himself at odds with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s character, William the Conqueror, who serves as his adversary.

Hidden among them is Eddie Marsan portraying King Edward the Confessor. This man, who passed away in 1066 without a successor, serves as the background for the struggle over the throne between Harold and William.

The Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest aren’t merely about a continuous, macho brawl, but also offer significant characters for women in the narrative as well.

In simpler terms, Emily Beecham portrays Queen Edith Swan-Neck, who is married to King Harold. Clémence Poésy takes on the role of Matilda of Flanders, William’s queen. Lastly, Juliet Stevenson impressively plays Lady Emma, a cunning mother to King Edward.

In every instance, I find myself observing that these women exert significant influence, whether as the hidden forces governing the thrones or as essential figures shaping the political landscape amidst the conflicts.

The eight-part series, titled “King and Conqueror,” narrates the story of how Duke William of Normandy eventually became King William I of England. It’s important to note that, without revealing any plot twists, the coronation of William took place following the demise of Harold II, the former king of England, who met his end in battle at Hastings in October 1066.

The Norman conquest marked the end result of a fifty-year period of political turmoil that ensued after the English invasion by Danish King Cnut in 1016. Cnut seized power from Anglo-Saxon King Aethelred, who was nicknamed “the Unready,” and his son Edmund Ironside.

After a struggle lasting half a century, the Norman conquest took place, following an English invasion by Danish King Cnut in 1016. The Anglo-Saxon King Aethelred, known as “the Unready,” and his son Edmund Ironside lost their power during this time.

As a devoted cinemagoer, I’ve always been captivated by the intriguing tales of power dynamics and political maneuvers, and the reign of Cnut is no exception. Over the course of two decades, the Godwin family emerged as prominent figures in the grand tapestry of our historical drama. Earl Godwin, the father of the future King Harold II, held a pivotal role at court, his influence weaving its way through the fabric of the royal household.

Following Cnut’s demise, his Scandinavian sons Harold I and Harthacnut ascended the throne briefly, before the Anglo-Saxon royal line made a comeback with King Edward the Confessor. Interestingly, Edward was actually the son of King Aethelred and his wife Emma of Normandy, yet an unexpected twist unfolded: Emma remarried Cnut after Aethelred’s passing, giving birth to both Harthacnut and Edward. Thus, Emma served as queen to two kings and later became mother to two more.

It appeared that Emma showed preference towards Harthacnut over Edward. This choice created a challenging relationship between mother and son when Edward ascended the throne instead of Harthacnut. Edward’s spouse was Edith, the daughter of Earl Godwin, but she didn’t produce an heir with the king. The absence of an heir became a concern, yet another significant cause of family strife was the belief that Earl Godwin was involved in the assassination of Alfred, the king’s brother.

Simply put, this tale is intricate and captivating. “King & Conqueror” unravels this complexity, detailing the ascendancy and downfall of the Godwin family during King Edward’s reign, as well as Duke William’s rise to power in Normandy and his keen observation of English affairs. A subtle but crucial thread running throughout is the notion that Lady Emma may have been instrumental in inspiring William to contemplate seizing the English throne himself. The narrative reaches its climax in 1066; with King Edward’s demise, Harold ascends the throne, prompting William to mobilize his forces and invade England.

Introduce the formidable Viking king, Harald Hardrara of Norway, with a penchant for battle, and you’ve established the foundation for a particularly violent year marked by three significant skirmishes, all leading up to the fateful encounter at Hastings.

1066’s historical drama is hard to overlook, yet I find it peculiar that we place such importance on a narrative where the English suffered defeat. This could be because the tale is exceptionally vivid, particularly when considering the Bayeux Tapestry as evidence – an artifact that will be lent to the British Museum next year for public viewing, allowing us to marvel at its vibrant, graphic depiction of the events.

In a four-part podcast series for HistoryExtra, I teamed up with medieval historian Marc Morris to discuss the year 1066. When I inquired about the significance of this pivotal event, he emphasized that it resulted in the widespread substitution of England’s ruling class and the subsequent adoption of French as the predominant language. These new rulers drastically modified the British countryside by constructing castles throughout the region.

As a lover of cinema and history, I must admit that the Normans introduced a distinct change in the political arena, deviating from the gruesome Game of Thrones-esque tactics we often see depicted. Instead of resorting to blinding, mutilating, or outright killing opponents, they opted for more civilized methods such as capturing, imprisoning, and ransoming them. These unique approaches are just a few reasons why the Norman Conquest remains an intriguing subject in our historical dialogue today.

Despite this significant phase in our past being well overdue for a compelling portrayal on either television or film, it seems that so far, there hasn’t been an accurate and impactful adaptation. The creators of King and Conqueror are aiming to break this trend. The show does a fair job in depicting the chaos resulting from King Edward’s failure to designate a clear heir, but the storyline doesn’t adhere closely enough to a historical narrative that historians would recognize.

In this account, certain details are imaginatively fabricated, names have been altered (to avoid repetition), and some key figures may be absent. This approach likely contributes to an engaging narrative flow and serves as a topic for discussion among history buffs.

The show was primarily shot in Iceland, likely to imbue it with a Viking-inspired noir atmosphere; however, this setting contrasts significantly from the primary action locations in southern England. As with many medieval-themed films, the visuals tend to be quite gloomy and desaturated. This aesthetic choice irks medieval historians, who recognize the significance of color during that period, as evidenced by the rich hues present in the Bayeux Tapestry. Additionally, the casting of colorblind characters has already sparked discussion among viewers.

As a cinephile, I can’t help but admit that every historical drama tends to bend the truth a bit for dramatic effect. And King and Conqueror is no exception! Although you may already be aware of how the tale unfolds, I promise you’ll find yourself intrigued by the captivating journey leading up to the fateful climax between Harold and William. So, if you’re in search of an engaging watch, this one’s definitely worth your time!

“Include ‘King’ and ‘Conqueror’ in your favorites list on the TopMob: What’s Worth Watching application – grab it today for personalized TV suggestions, exclusives, and additional content.

Read More

2025-08-19 03:07