- Quote: "led by the Duke of Normandy, later styled William the Conqueror"
The invasion and conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, in 1066. The Norman Conquest had significant political, cultural, and linguistic effects on England and beyond.
The Battle of Hastings: This battle marked the beginning of the Norman Conquest in 1066, when William the Conqueror defeated King Harold II of England.
The Bayeux Tapestry: This medieval work of art depicts the events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the battle itself, providing insight into the Norman Conquest.
Feudalism: The political and social system that developed during the Middle Ages, which played a significant role in the Norman Conquest.
The Domesday Book: This survey of England was ordered by William the Conqueror and provides detailed information about the people and land in England after the Norman Conquest.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: This collection of annals provides a contemporary record of events leading up to the Norman Conquest and the conquest itself.
The Normans: This French-speaking people were descendants of Viking invaders who settled in the Normandy region of France, and played a significant role in the Norman Conquest.
Anglo-Saxon England: This period of English history before the Norman Conquest saw the development of Anglo-Saxon culture, language, and society.
The Conquered People: The Norman Conquest led to significant changes in the lives of the English people, including the introduction of the feudal system and the imposition of French-speaking rulers.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge: This battle, fought just weeks before the Battle of Hastings, saw the defeat of the Norwegian king, Harald Hardrada, by King Harold II of England.
The Battle of Pevensey: This battle marked the landing of William the Conqueror's army in England and the beginning of the Norman Conquest.
The Harrying of the North: This brutal campaign, led by William the Conqueror, saw the destruction of northern England and the subjugation of its people.
The Norman Church: The Norman Conquest saw the introduction of Romanesque architecture and the establishment of the Norman Church in England.
The Norman Language: The Norman Conquest brought the French language to England, leading to a fusion of French and English that would eventually lead to the development of Modern English.
The Norman Castles: The Norman Conquest led to the construction of numerous castles throughout England, which would serve as symbols of Norman power and security.
The Coronation of William the Conqueror: This event marked the formal, official beginning of Norman rule in England, following the Norman Conquest.
Military Conquest: The successful invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy, in 1066.
Social Conquest: The Norman invasion ended the social and cultural isolation of England, as Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures began to merge.
Political Conquest: The establishment of a new ruling class in England, with William the Conqueror as its king.
Cultural Conquest: The fusion of Anglo-Saxon and Norman cultures, which brought about significant changes to language and literature, art, and architecture.
Linguistic Conquest: The introduction of the French language to England, which slowly replaced Anglo-Saxon as the language of the ruling class.
Economic Conquest: The Norman Conquest had significant economic impact on England, including the introduction of feudalism and the development of new markets for trade.
Religious Conquest: The Norman Conquest had a significant impact on the religious landscape of England, including the introduction of Roman Catholicism and a new monastic order.
Architectural Conquest: The Norman Conquest brought about significant changes to English architecture, including the introduction of Romanesque and Gothic styles.
Legal Conquest: The Norman Conquest brought about significant changes to English law, including the development of the common law system.
Educational Conquest: The foundation of new schools and universities in England, which were heavily influenced by the Norman model of education.
- Quote: "William's claim to the English throne derived from his familial relationship with the childless Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor"
- Quote: "Edward died in January 1066 and was succeeded by his brother-in-law Harold Godwinson"
- Quote: "The Norwegian king Harald Hardrada invaded northern England [...] but Godwinson's army defeated and killed Hardrada"
- Quote: "Three days later on 28 September, William's invasion force of thousands of men and hundreds of ships landed at Pevensey in Sussex"
- Quote: "Harold's army confronted William's invaders on 14 October at the Battle of Hastings"
- Quote: "William's force defeated Harold, who was killed in the engagement"
- Quote: "William was not secure on the English throne until after 1072"
- Quote: "The Domesday Book, a manuscript record of the 'Great Survey' of much of England and parts of Wales, was completed by 1086"
- Quote: "William granted lands to his followers and built castles commanding military strong points throughout the land"
- Quote: "the introduction of the Norman language as the language of the elites"
- Quote: "changes in the composition of the upper classes, as William enfeoffed lands to be held directly from the king"
- Quote: "the main change appears to have been the formal elimination of slavery"
- Quote: "which may or may not have been linked to the invasion"
- Quote: "There was little alteration in the structure of government, as the new Norman administrators took over many of the forms of Anglo-Saxon government"
- Quote: "The lands of the resisting English elite were confiscated; some of the elite fled into exile"
- Quote: "Other effects of the conquest included the court and government"
- Quote: "William granted lands to his followers"
- Quote: "built castles commanding military strong points throughout the land"
- Quote: "a manuscript record of the 'Great Survey' of much of England and parts of Wales"