1. I can examine the Norman
Invasion, including the Battle
of Hastings and the impact of
William the Conqueror
7.35 Examine the Norman Invasion, Battle of
Hastings, and the impact of the reign of William
the Conqueror on England and Northern France.
2. Who Will Rule?
In 1066 the last Anglo-Saxon king, Edward the
Confessor died without an heir.
Two men claimed that Edward had promised the
English throne to them.
William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that Edward
had promised the throne to him in 1051. William
was a distant cousin of Edward’s.
Harold Godwinson, Edward’s brother-in-law claimed
the throne with the backing of the Witan (a council
of English lords)
4. Harald Hardrada, a Viking, was invited to take the
throne by Tostig Godwinson, the brother of Harold
Godwinson.
Harald Hardrada invaded the eastern coast of
England and defeated local English forces.
Harold Godwinson took his army and went north to
fight H.H.
Harald was killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Harold Godwinson immediately turned his forces
south to meet William’s army at Hastings.
Meanwhile…
5. Main event
Harold Godwinson met William, Duke of Normandy
at Hastings, a city on the southern coast of England
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLy1LskT6Y8
6. William the Conqueror
Many historians believe that Harold Godwinson was
defeated because his troops were tired from their
previous battle with Harald Hardrada and the quick
march back south.
Harald and both of his brothers were killed in the
battle.
The Battle of Hastings was fought on 10/14/1066.
On Christmas Day William was crowned King of
England.
7. Primary Source
A unique primary source exists to document the
Battle of Hastings
It is an embroidered piece of linen 210’ long and 20”
tall.
It is called the Bayeux Tapestry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8OPQ_28mdo
8. William as King
William had a profound effect on England.
To reward his Norman
supporters and punish the
Anglo-Saxons who had
supported Harold, William
took most English titles from
the Anglo-Saxons and gave
them to his Normans.
9. William’s Legacy
Language
Normans became the ruling class and the Old
English were now a part of the lower classes.
William spoke French and though he tried to learn
English, he was not successful. As a result, none of
his Norman occupiers learned to speak English
either. Further, many French and Latin words
made their way into the English language and
changed it forever.
10. English words derived from
French
attorney from the Old French atourné
jail from Old French jaiole (meaning cage),
parliament from Anglo-Latin parliamentum, from Old
French parlement, from parler to speak,
soldier from Old French soudier
treaty from Old French traité,
juice from Old French jus,
sausage from Old Norman French saussiche,
11. William’s Legacy
To better understand (and tax) his new subjects,
William created a detailed census book which listed
every man, woman, and animal in England.
This book, known as the Domesday Book, was
commissioned in 1085 and was the first census
taken since the collapse of the Roman Empire.
This established claim for the Normans who were
given land by William. It was used for centuries to
determine land rights
There would not be
as comprehensive a
census taken again
until the 1900s.
12. William’s Legacy
Every ruler of England since William the Conqueror
can trace their ancestry back to him.
His introduction of Norman administrators has been
credited with making England a world power.
13. Think, Pair, Share
What do you think was the most important of
William’s legacies?
Use your notes to review them and then begin.
Editor's Notes
Point out that only the pink area was considered England.
The video is a BBC presentation. It lasts about 7 minutes
William was involved in a few more “skirmishes” on his way to London, but there were no real competitors for the throne.
It is not really known who embroidered the cloth. Some say it was William’s wife and other women of the court. Most historians believe it was the work of English seamstresses. The main reason for the generally accepted belief that it was created by English was the spelling of certain Latin words. Further it is believed that the design was sketched by someone of a military background because only someone with a knowledge of military tactics and the Battle of Hastings itself would have been able to so accurately recreate the elements of the battle.
As of a census taken approximately 20 years after the conquest shows. Only a very few Anglo-Saxon lords maintained their status and land.
It was not until the 1600s that English once again became the dominant language in England. Even so, it was a different language than that spoken prior to William’s arrival.
Many words were also from Latin. I just only used words more directly derived from French in the examples.
Pronounced “doomsday” The Domesday Book gives historians today a detailed account of life in England in the late 1000s. It told how much land each member of the aristocracy controlled. How many knights existed and how much service they owed to their overlords and their king.
The Domesday Book established claim for the Normans who were given land by William after his conquest.
The changes to the English language
The establishment of Norman administration
All future English monarchs are his descendants
