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In Normandy, France, lived a duke called

William the "bastard"

1065

In England a childless King called Edward "the

confessor" died

Harold, the dead king’s brother-in-law,  took

possession of the throne

But formerly Edward had promised William, the Duke

of Normandy, that he would be his successor...

So William wanted to be King of England

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

Harold, the new king, enjoyed his job

very much !

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

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

On D day the Kingof 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

Harold and his army, defeated the King of Norway who returned home !

Norway

Harold

William

?

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 !

Harold was very tired. It was bad

news when he was told that the Duke

of Normandy awaited him in

Hastings

Hastings

Harold

William

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

Harold

William

woodswoods

???

Harold

William

hidden archers

Hiddenarchers

At night, he ordered his archers to hide in the woods

Harold

William

hidden archers

hidden archers

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

Harold ???

William

hidden archers

hidden archers

William’s archers didn’t move ! William pretended to run away from

the battle like a coward

Harold

William

hidden archers

hidden archers

Still William’s archers didn’t move !

Harold didn’t see the trap: he ran out to kill the enemies

Harold

William

hidden archers

hidden archers

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

A rough and bloody battle !

Harold was killed,William,

duke of Normandy became the Great

King of England From this day on

he was called "William the Conqueror"

© Charlie

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 !

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