This comic strip summarizes the events surrounding William the Conqueror's invasion of England in 1066 and his defeat of King Harold. It tells of how William, the Duke of Normandy, claimed the English throne after the death of King Edward the Confessor, despite Harold taking control of the kingdom. William built a large fleet and launched an invasion from Normandy. After defeating the Norwegian King's attack in the north, an exhausted Harold's army was defeated by William at the Battle of Hastings through a strategic ambush using hidden archers in the woods. Harold was killed and William became King of England, thereafter being known as William the Conqueror.

1. Don’t click Charlie

2. In Normandy, France,
lived a duke called
William the "bastard"
1065

3. In England a childless
King called Edward "the
confessor" died

4. Harold, the dead king’s
brother-in-law, took
possession of the throne

5. But formerly Edward had
promised William, the Duke
of Normandy, that he
would be his successor...
So William wanted to
be King of England

6. This is the earliest comic strip in the world: the " Bayeux Tapestry ": Queen
Matilda, William’s wife, tells us Harold’s story

7. Harold, the new king,
enjoyed his job
very much !

8. William determined to
throw him off the trone !
His plan was to attack
England from the SOUTH
and the SAME DAY, his
friend the King of Norway,
richly rewarded, would
attack from the NORTH
Harold ???
William
King of
Norway

9. During that winter William ordered a great many ships to be built to
invade England...Hundred of trees were cut down...

10. On D day the King
of Norway was alone
when he attacked
Harold near York because
in the south there was no
wind at all! The
Duke’s sailing boats
couldn’t move !
?
1066
William

11. Harold and his
army, defeated the
King of Norway who
returned home !
Norway
Harold
?
William

12. Slowly the wind began blowing...so William could attack England from the south...but
there was no-one to fight against ? Nobody knew William was waiting in Hastings !

13. Harold was very
tired. It was bad
news when he was
told that the Duke
of Normandy
awaited him in
Hastings
Harold
Hastings
William

14. Harold had to fight but
he couldn’t because his
army was exhausted ! So
he decided to build a
sort of wooden castle
near Hastings to protect
himself. William didn’t
know what to do.
Harold
?
William

15. Harold
woods woods
???
William

16. Harold
William
hidden
archers
Hidden
archers
At night, he ordered his archers to hide in the woods

17. Harold
William
hidden
archers
hidden
archers
William’s archers didn’t move
and a strange battle started...

18. Harold ???
William
hidden
archers
hidden
archers
William’s archers didn’t move !
William pretended to run away from
the battle like a coward

19. Harold didn’t see the trap: he ran out to kill the enemies
Harold
William
hidden
archers
hidden
archers
Still William’s archers didn’t move !

20. Harold
William
hidden
archers
hidden
archers
Suddenly William’s archers sprang out !
William’s soldiers turned around :
Harold was trapped

21. A rough and bloody battle !

22. Harold was killed,
William,
duke of Normandy
became the Great
King of England
From this day on
he was called
"William the Conqueror"
© Charlie

23. He ordered the building of the Tower of London -the White Tower- from
where he ruled a brand new England composed of many shires controlled
by sheriffs...He decided the French Language would be the official
language of England ! A strange story to be told !

24. The best slideshows
CB