I love history, but it took a long time and much thought for my ideas to come together and take shape. Yet since my first history book was published in November 2024 I’ve been kept very busy! Local talks were followed by presentations elsewhere, including at Kingston-upon-Thames associated with the big 1100th Athelstan celebration there in 2025. Having been accepted by the u3a (University of the Third Age) to give a nationwidHistory has always fascinated me, but a busy professional life kept it on the back burner until recent years. Since Ice to Athelstan, my first history book, was published in November 2024 I’ve been kept busy with talks and presentations. These include, by general request, quarterly Zoom talks nationally to around 400 members of the u3a at a time. Details are kept up to date on my blog here.
My new book, Conquest to Charter available now (see below) takes the story on through the Danish and Norman Conquests to the time of Magna Carta.
An engaging account, written for a general readership, of how Britain was gradually repopulated over 10,000 years following the last Ice Age. The story is told in 12 concise chapters with maps and timelines, showing how Britain recovered from the ice, who settled – when, why and where, how hunter-gathering was overtaken by farming and the bronze age by the iron age. The book goes on to cover Roman Britain, settlement by the Anglo-Saxons, how King Alfred defeated the Vikings and how his grandson, Athelstan, brought a new England into being.
“Effortlessly readable and intriguing.” MJ Oxon
This book, written in a similar style to its predecessor, continues the story of England (and its neighbours) through Athelstan’s successors to the traumas of Aethelred (‘the Unready’) to the Danish and Norman Conquests. The Conqueror’s claim to the throne and the Bayeux Tapestry are considered, plus what followed as William’s successors expanded and then contracted their realms. The book concludes with Magna Carta and the development of the early English parliament under Henry III.
PRAISE FOR Ice to Athelstan
The Book
“I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and have recommended it to many friends… Most of all, thank you for tempting me into learning more about the history of our country.” LD Oxon
“The most captivating historical book I’ve read in years! Charles Boundy’s “Ice to Athelstan” is not only very readable, but for me joined up gaps in the historical timeline and the places of deep history that are known but little understood in Britain. It’s a book you’ll enjoy if you like to reflect on the drivers for societal change, the evolution of wealth and authority, and how the fabric of early England was formed.” JS Exeter
“Charles Boundy gives us an immensely readable and comprehensive tale …This book is not just a well-spun tale and thoroughly researched history, but it is also a resource in pondering vital questions of historiography.” RP Surrey
“Superb and concise as well as an entertaining and informative history of Britain from 10,000 BC to about 900 AD. Effortlessly readable and intriguing.” MJ Oxon
Feedback on Talks:
“Many thanks for your splendid talk this morning. It was so well prepared and presented and readily followed – not so easy for such a wide audience…I look forward to reading your book and the next one too!!” BH Oxon
“Loved your talk in Kingston yesterday (July 25), very informative. Best explanation I’ve heard of a time of great change and complexity with so many characters. Will be buying the book!” NM – Surrey
“It was clear that Charles’s presentation was based on extraordinarily wide research and close observation, yet his account was delivered in clear language, accessible to everyone present. Listeners were informed, but also engaged – Charles’s subtle jokes were appreciated and enjoyed by all present.” JA u3a programme secretary – Bucks May 2026
Anonymised authentic comments from U3a nationwide zoom talks
“Absolutely brilliant. Thank you. One of the best of U3A’s talks!”
“An excellent, well researched and clearly presented lecture.”
“Excellent presenter, would like more from him.”/ “Brilliant talk.” /
“Excellent presentation and delivery.”
“Excellent talk, very well presented. I will buy your book!”
“Best presentation yet! Would love to hear more from this speaker.”
Charles Boundy
Author.
Get in Touch
I’ll be adding further thoughts (and possibly corrections!) in this blog. I’d love to hear from you with any thoughts on the book, including possible improvements for a future edition, or with any anecdotes or snippets of information you feel might be useful for me to share here with others.