Norman Conquest of England

The Norman conquest of England is the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army of Norman, Breton, and French soldiers led by Duke William II of Normandy, later William the Conqueror.William's claim to the English throne derives from his familial relationship with the childless Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Confessor, who may have encouraged William's hopes for the throne.

Edward dies in January 1066 and is succeeded by his brother-in-law Harold II of England.

The Norwegian king Harald Hardrada invades northern England in September 1066 and is victorious at the Battle of Fulford, but Harold defeats and kills him at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066.

Within days, William lands in southern England.

Harold marches south to confront him, leaving a significant portion of his army in the north.

Harold's army confronts William's invaders on October 14 at the Battle of Hastings; William's force defeat Harold, who is killed in the engagement.Although William's main rivals are gone, he still faces rebellions over the following years and is not secure on his throne until after 1072.

The lands of the resisting English elite are confiscated; some of the elite flee into exile.

To control his new kingdom, William gives lands to his followers and builds castles commanding military strongpoints throughout the land.

Other effects of the conquest include the court and government, the introduction of Norman French as the language of the elites, and changes in the composition of the upper classes, as William enfeoffs lands to be held directly from the king.

More gradual changes affect the agricultural classes and village life: the main change appears to have been the formal elimination of slavery, which may or may not have been linked to the invasion.

There is little alteration in the structure of government, as the new Norman administrators take over many of the forms of Anglo-Saxon government.The Norman Conquest is a pivotal event in English history for several reasons.

This conquest links England more closely with continental Europe through the introduction of a Norman aristocracy, thereby lessening Scandinavian influence.

The invasion of England creates one of the most powerful monarchies in Europe and engenders a sophisticated governmental system.

The conquest changes the English language and culture and sets the stage for a rivalry with France that is to continue intermittently for the next millennium.

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