WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR AND THE NORMAN INVASION

Origins William I was born in 1028 in

Normandy He was the Duke of

Normandy from 1035-1087 King of England from 1066-

1087

Normandy

King of England William visited his cousin

Edward the Confessor in 1052 (King of England)

Edward promised William that he would succeed him after his death

Edward passed away in 1066

Trouble England’s nobles decided to

elect Harold as the king of England

William rebelled and got the support of Pope Alexander II

William assembled a fleet of 600 ships and 7000 men to invade England

Invasion begins William landed in England

September 28, 1066 Wm. assembles a pre-made

wooden castle on Harold’s personal estate

This forces Harold to react quickly

Battle of Hastings Harold was fighting a rival in

northern England at the time Harold marches his army 250

miles in 9 days to fight William

The Battle of Hastings would begin October 14th, 1066

Battle of Hastings Both sides had about 7,000-

8,000 men The English (Anglo-Saxons)

were defeated Harold was wounded in the

face with an arrow and later killed with hand weapons

Aftermath William began to make his

way toward London William was crowned King of

England Christmas Day 1066 Resistance remained in

northern England until 1075

Bayeaux Tapestry This is a tapestry that is 20

inches by 230 feet It’s believed that Queen

Matilda, William’s wife, ordered its creation

It depicts the Norman victory of 1066

Bayeaux Tapestry William coming to England

Bayeaux Tapestry Some think this may be a picture of

Harold’s death

Significance of the Invasion

William commissioned the creation of the Domesday Book

This was similar to modern census

The purpose was to determine what people owned and where they lived

This was so they could be taxed

Significance of the Invasion

William built many castles to stop rebellions

Also constructed the Tower of London

Land was taken from the church and given to loyal Normans

Tower of London