Norman Conquest
I. Anglo-Saxon England
A. Following Roman rule, Germanic tribes moved into England - first as
invaders and then as settlers. The culture that developed in England was
called “Anglo-Saxon” after two of the tribes (the Angles and the Saxons).
B. Anglo-Saxon rule - the Anglo-Saxons divided themselves into separate
kingdoms; the most powerful were Northumbria in the north, Mercia in
central England and Wessex in the south.
C. The Anglo-Saxons waged fierce battles to fend off Viking invaders who
had settled in northern England. Alfred the Great, the king of Wessex
pushed the Vikings (called “Danes” by the British) back into northern
England. However, the Danes returned and re-conquered England
under a Scandinavian ruler, King Canute. England was sharply divided
between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons.
D. Finally England was united under the rule of Edward the Confessor.
Edward was part Anglo-Saxon and part Norman (Normandy had been
conquered by the Vikings). However, Edward died leaving no heir and
so the Nobles were left with a dilemma about who would be the next to
rule. Three different men claimed the throne:
A job Interview in 1066: who would you choose?
HAROLD GODWINSON OF
WESSEX
DUKE WILLIAM OF NORMANDY
HARALD HARDRADA OF
NORWAY
• Brother of King Edward the
Confessor's wife.
• Son of one of the most
powerful nobles in England.
• Claimed to have been named
the next king by Edward.
• Was English and popular with
many of the people.
• Already had some experience
running the country.
• Cousin of King Edward the
Confessor.
• Claims that Edward promised
him the throne 15 years ago.
• Claims that Harold of Wessex
also promised him the throne.
• Is already very successful as
ruler of Normandy.
• Claims he could repeat the job
as King of England.
• Is already a successful King of
Norway.
• Is the descendant of King
Canute of England.
• Claims his family was promised
it could rule England years ago.
• Spends lots of time at war and
usually wins.
• Collects lots of taxes from his
people to pay for wars.
• Is very unpopular and known
as Harald the Bad.
II. The Battle of Hastings
A. The Witan, a council of Anglo-Saxon nobles, was charged with making
the decision of who would be the next ruler of England. They chose
Harold of Wessex to be the next king.
B. William was determined to win the throne for himself. He crossed the
English channel with a powerful force of Norman knights. In a decisive
battle William defeated Harold’s army at Hastings in 1066.
C. Today, Duke William of Normandy is commonly
known as William the Conqueror. William’s rule
brought many changes to England; he introduced
Norman laws, customs and language. However,
the Anglo-Saxon’s did not quickly accept them.
Anglo-Saxon was a Germanic language and
Norman French was based on Latin. However,
over time, the lifestyles, laws and customs of
England grew to combine elements of both cultures.
Governments of the Middle Ages
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Modern American Government