Norwich historian rewrites 1066 with Pope letter Norwich historian rewrites 1066 with Pope letterA lost letter from the Pope could re-write the story of England in 1066 thanks to research from a Norwich historian at the University of East Anglia. The findings are published today (August 11) by Yale University Press in a new book titled 'Harold: Warrior King', by UEA historian Prof Tom Licence. Written by Pope Alexander II after William's accession, the letter reflects on England's relationship with the papacy before the conquest. “What this evidence suggests is that Pope Alexander II may have had political reasons of his own for backing the Norman invasion. Pictured above, Prof Tom Licence, Professor of Medieval History and Literature at the University of East Anglia.