Normans

Lots of interesting references to the Normans on television in the UK right now. Robert Bartlett's book in the New Oxford History of England Series, England under the Norman and Angevin Kings has some of the best chapters written on issues such as belief and culture that I have read in any volume. It starts in 1075 and continues until the death of King John in 1216.

An interesting section suggests that even in the 12th century that Englishmen had a reputation for binge drinking. One tale tells of how King Henry II and an Abbot engage in a drinking competition (p578).

So no change there then.