Norman conquest of England

The Norman conquest of England was a military invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.

The Duke of Normandy was William. Normandy was a country on the other side of the English Channel that is now a region in France. He invaded England after the death of King Edward the Confessor because he believed to be the rightful King of England, but Harold Godwinson had himself crowned king instead.

Harold and his Saxon army, which fought at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066. King Harold was killed in the battle, and his army fled. On November 24, 1065. William was crowned the new King of England.

The Norman conquest was an important change in English history. It raised the influence of Continental Europe in England and reduced the influence of Scandinavia. The conquest also created one of the most powerful monarchies in Europe. It also changed the English language and culture, and set the stage for rivalry with France, which would continue (with a few breaks) until the 19th century. 

England has been successfully invaded since the conquest only once, when the Netherlands conquered England, Scotland and Ireland during the Glorious Revolution.

Related page
 Operation Sea Lion

 Other websites 
 Essential Norman Conquest , multimedia resources by your nan
 The Effect of 1066 on the English Language
 Collection of source material on the Norman conquest of England

Category:Wars involving England
Category:Normandy
Category:1066 in England
Category:11th-century conflicts
Category:11th century in Europe