William the Conqueror, 1956, Series 561 (matt)

William the Conqueror was the second title in the 561 series, colourfully written by L du Garde Peach and illustrated by John Kenney.  Early editions (before 1965) were issued with a dustwrapper.

In this colourful telling of the life and times of Alfred, writer L du Garde Peach and artist John Kenney trace the story told by the Bayeux Tapestry – from both William’s and Harold’s point of view.  Peach tries half-heartedly to make us appreciate William as a leader, but it didn’t work on my son, who always referred to this book as ‘William Smeg-head’.

This copy:

Matt boards. In very condition inside and out – a bit of wear to the spine and a neat name in pencil to title page.  This copy dates to the 1970s and has the original price of 24p on the back.