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1000 Years of Annoying the French (Paperback)
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Short Description for 1000 Years of Annoying the FrenchWas the Battle of Hastings a French victory? William the Conqueror was Norman and hated the French. Were the Brits really responsible for the death of Joan of Arc? The French sentenced her to death for wearing trousers. Was the guillotine a French invention? This book looks at what has really been going on since 1066.
Full description- Publisher: Black Swan
- Published: 20 January 2011
- Format: Paperback 688 pages
- See: Full bibliographic data
- Categories: International Relations | European History | British & Irish History
- ISBN 13: 9780552775748 ISBN 10: 0552775746
- Sales rank: 14,268
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Reviews for 1000 Years of Annoying the French
The Iron Duke said it best
"We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France", and this book shows why. For close on 1000 years, the English have invaded, pillaged, blockaded and bombed France - even before there was a France, arguably - not to mention annoyed, mocked, and rogered their women (although the French seemed to mind this least of all, if the achievement of Edward VII in creating the entente cordiale is to be believed).
Mind you, this book also generally shows that the French deserved it.
The story starts in 1066 with the Norman (Viking) William the Conqueror and covers the various disagreements thereafter that the English had with the French. The 100 years war, the capture of Joan of Arc, Mary [the French] Queen of Scots, the Napoleonic wars, the loss of the French colonies in America, de Gaulle in WWII...it is all covered here. Post WWII is only briefly mentioned, probably to avoid weighing in too heavily on existing political debates about the role of Great Britain in Europe.
Told with humour and wit, this is not an expose on the evil of the French: every true Englishman (and Scotsman!) should already be aware of that. It's a generally kind hearted look at Britain's old neighbour, and a thoroughly researched history of the last millenia. by John Middleton
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