Norman conquest of England facts for kids
The Norman conquest of England was a military invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.
William was a Duke who ruled Normandy, now a region in France. He invaded England after the death of King Edward the Confessor because he believed he had the most right to be King of England. But King Harold II had himself crowned king instead. King Harold, with his Saxon army, and Duke William fought at the Battle of Hastings on October 14 1066. King Harold was killed in the battle and his army left. On December 25 1066 William was crowned the new King of England.
The Norman conquest brought an important change in English history for a number of reasons. The conquest linked England more closely with Continental Europe, and made Scandinavian influence less important. It created one of the most powerful monarchies in Europe. The conquest changed the English language and culture, and set the stage for rivalry with France, which would continue (with breaks) until the 19th century.
England has never been successfully invaded since the Norman invasion nearly 1000 years ago. (But compare the Spanish Armada, Jacobitism and Operation Sea Lion.)
Images for kids
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13th-century depiction of Rollo (top) and his descendants William I Longsword and Richard I of Normandy
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Arrival in England scene from the Bayeux Tapestry, depicting ships grounding and horses landing
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The remains of Baile Hill, the second motte-and-bailey castle built by William the Conqueror in York, on the west bank of the River Ouse
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Coin of Sweyn II of Denmark
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The White Tower of the Tower of London, originally built by William the Conqueror to control London.
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Depiction of the Varangian Guard, which had many English recruits, from the 12th-century Madrid Skylitzes, in the Biblioteca Nacional de España in Madrid.
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English counties in 1086
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Page from the Warwickshire Domesday survey
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Modern-day reconstruction of an Anglo-Saxon village at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village in Suffolk
See also
In Spanish: Conquista normanda de Inglaterra para niños
