Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest was the takeover of England by the Normans in the year 1066. The Normans came from Normandy, a region in northern France. Their leader was William, Duke of Normandy, who later became known as William the Conqueror. The conquest began when William claimed that the English throne had been promised to him, and he decided to take it by force.

Before the conquest, England was ruled by King Edward the Confessor. After Edward died, an English noble named Harold Godwinson became king. A noble is a high-ranking person in society who holds land and power. William believed Harold should not have taken the crown. This dispute led William to gather a large army and sail across the English Channel, the body of water that separates England from France.

In October 1066, the English and Norman armies met at the Battle of Hastings. This battle was a long and intense fight between two organized armies. King Harold was killed during the fighting, and the English army could no longer hold its position. William's victory at Hastings allowed him to move across southern England, taking control of towns and building wooden castles to secure each area. A castle is a strong building used for defense and protection.

After William became king, he made wide changes to English society. Many English lords lost their land, which was given to Norman lords who supported William. He also ordered a large survey called the Domesday Book. A survey is a detailed list of information, and this one recorded who owned land and how much tax they should pay. These changes helped William control the people and land more effectively.

The Norman Conquest also brought new culture and language to England. Norman French became common in the king’s court and in legal records. New styles of building, such as stone castles and large churches, spread across the land. Over time, Norman and English ways mixed together, creating new forms of government, art, and language. Many English words today come from Norman French.

The Norman Conquest is seen by historians as an event that reshaped England. It changed who ruled the country and how power was organized. It also connected England more closely with Europe, as the new leaders had strong ties to Normandy. The effects of the conquest continued for centuries, influencing laws, landholding, and even everyday speech.