Medieval Britain 1066-1509 - The Norman Conquest
Key Events:
The Norman Conquest was an outcome of the question of the succession following the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066. This failure to ensure an effective dynastic succession is a re-current theme in British history.
Edward the Confessor died with no male heir. He had made a solemn oath to give the throne to William, Duke of Normandy. Who had made himself one of the premier powers in western Europe. However this was contested by Harold Godwinson, the most powerful baron in England. On Edward's death Godwinson claimed the throne and royal exchequer. This promoted two invasions.
The first was led by Harold Hadrada, the Norwegian King, who also had a claim to the throne through King Canute. Harold defeated Hadrada at the battle of Stamford Bridge, outside York. However he then had march down to the South coast to repel William's invasion.
The two sides met near Hastings at Senlac Hill on 14th October. William won the battle due to superior forces and fresher troops. It was during this battle that Harold was famously killed by an arrow to the eye (or not depending on which sources you believe). Once William was victorious he raced to London and was crowned king on Christmas Day 1066.
Following his coronation William continued to enforce his rule on the kingdom. The old elite were replaced by Norman knights and nobles. French became the language of the court and nobility.Any areas that did not submit to his will were ruthlessly surpressed. When the north of the country rebelled swathes of the countryside were devistated and large numbers of males were killed.Williams desire to subjugate the country led to the Doomsday Book, completed in 1086. This logged everything of value in the country.
The Norman Conquest was an outcome of the question of the succession following the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066. This failure to ensure an effective dynastic succession is a re-current theme in British history.
Edward the Confessor died with no male heir. He had made a solemn oath to give the throne to William, Duke of Normandy. Who had made himself one of the premier powers in western Europe. However this was contested by Harold Godwinson, the most powerful baron in England. On Edward's death Godwinson claimed the throne and royal exchequer. This promoted two invasions.
The first was led by Harold Hadrada, the Norwegian King, who also had a claim to the throne through King Canute. Harold defeated Hadrada at the battle of Stamford Bridge, outside York. However he then had march down to the South coast to repel William's invasion.
The two sides met near Hastings at Senlac Hill on 14th October. William won the battle due to superior forces and fresher troops. It was during this battle that Harold was famously killed by an arrow to the eye (or not depending on which sources you believe). Once William was victorious he raced to London and was crowned king on Christmas Day 1066.
Following his coronation William continued to enforce his rule on the kingdom. The old elite were replaced by Norman knights and nobles. French became the language of the court and nobility.Any areas that did not submit to his will were ruthlessly surpressed. When the north of the country rebelled swathes of the countryside were devistated and large numbers of males were killed.Williams desire to subjugate the country led to the Doomsday Book, completed in 1086. This logged everything of value in the country.
Teaching Resources
Scheme of Work:
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Links to useful resources:
BBC Bitesize Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/middle_ages/1066_norman_conquest/video/
BBC Bitesize Activity: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/middle_ages/1066_norman_conquest/activity/
SHP Norman Conquest: https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/media/Documents/History%20Community/This%20is%20History%20Y9/The-Norman-Conquest.pdf
BBC Bitesize Video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/middle_ages/1066_norman_conquest/video/
BBC Bitesize Activity: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/history/middle_ages/1066_norman_conquest/activity/
SHP Norman Conquest: https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/media/Documents/History%20Community/This%20is%20History%20Y9/The-Norman-Conquest.pdf
Selected Further Reading
- The Doomsday Book
- Barlow, Frank, Edward the Confessor (Yale UP 1997)
- Bates, David, William the Conqueror, (George Philip 1989)
- Golding, Brain, Conquest and Colonisation: Normans in Britain 1066-1100 (Macmillan Press 1994)
- McLynn, P.F., 1066: Year of Three Battles (Pimlico 1999)
- Williams, Ann, The English and the Norman Conquest (Boydell & Brewer 1997)