The Norman Conquest
•The last conquest of England began on 28
September 1066 with the invasion lead by William,
Duke of Normandy, who became known as William
the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of
Hastings, defeating the newly appointed King
Harold II of England.
Its origin
successor
Who should be King?
3 claimants
The Normans
• They were former Vikings that settled in the North
of France in the 9th and 10th century.
• The became the most influential people all over
Europe. They dominated England, France, Sicily and
Naples. (Ahead of the world in their organizating
ability)
•In 1035 the leadership of Normandy fell to Duke
William, the illegitimate son of the former Duke.
William the Conqueror
At the age of 8, he became Duke of the most turbulent
baronage in Europe under a double handicap (minor and
illegitimate)
A man of extraordinary force and ability.
A forceful ruler. He gave his attention to
neighbouring counties: Anjou, Maine, Brittany.
He became foremost of all vassals in France
(even stronger than the king of France).
The Norman campaign
The Norman knights invested a
considerable amount to secure the
most up- to- date equipment and to
provide provision and boats for the
invasion.
A “ joint- stock investment”
Battle of Hastings, 1066
The two sides were the Normans and the English.
Around 8000 men died. Harold Godwinson was
Killed.
A smashing Norman victory.
William paused. The delay proved wise. Many people wanted
to gain the conqueror´s favour whereas a more rapid advance
might have led the northern earls to unite against the small
invading force. William moved cautiously towards London.
The Witan elected William as King (1066).
Battle of Hastings, 1066
Harold swears fealty to William of Normandy,
Bayeux Tapestry (c. 1090)
Government
William promised to introduce no foreign
law & not to make arbitrary confiscations
except in case of those who opposed him.
Revolts broke out in the north.
A practical form of punishment:
confiscate rebels´ lands wherewith to
reward his followers.
Outcome
The Norman conquest was a pivotal event in
English history.
It largely removed the native ruling class,
replacing it with a foreign French-speaking
monarchy, aristocracy, and a clerical hierarchy.
This in turn brought about a transformation of
the English language and culture of England in
a new era tften referred to as Norman England.
Outcome
By bringing England under the control of
French rulers, the Norman conquest linked
the country more closely with continental
Europe, lessend the Scandinavian influence
and set the stage for a rivalry with France
that would continue for many centuries.
The Bayeux Tapestry
•The Bayeux Tapestry is a 50 cm by 70 m long
embroidered cloth – not an actual tapestry.
•It explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman
invasion of England as well as the invasion itself.
•It was made by the noble Saxon women.
•People that appear in the Tapestry: Edward the
Confessor, Harold, William the Conqueror, Bishop Odo
•There are two problable places where it was made: in
Winchester or in Canterbury
•It is an important historical source.
•It is presently put on public view in a special musem in
Bayeux, Normandy, France.
The Tower of London
Situated in central London, on the north bank of the
river Thames.
Consists of several buildings.
The oldest building – the White Tower
Was built in 1078 by William I
Originally referred to as the Great Tower
27 m high
Primary purpose – a fortress-stronghold
Nowadays - a museum
Consequences
1. The introduction of a new ruling class and a new political
system Feudalism.
2. The tightening and centralizing of the royal power,
though the local government was left largely as it had
been.
3. The Normanizing & improvement of the Church.
4. The importation of a higher culture & a latinized
language which eventually merged with the Anglo-
Saxon.
5. A closer link between England and the continent.
Conclusion
