The Norman Conquest of England: William the Conqueror's Rise

The Road to Conquest: 1066

King Edward the Confessor sent Harold Godwinson to tell Duke William of Normandy that he would be the next King of England. Harold was shipwrecked but eventually reached Normandy and delivered the message. Harold promised he would help William become king.

Edward died on January 5, 1066, and Harold was immediately made king. This led to immediate challenges from rivals.

The Northern Invasion

Harold's brother, Tostig Godwinson, joined forces with King Harald Hardrada of Norway. Hardrada arrived with approximately 300 boats. King Harold marched his army north and defeated Hardrada and Tostig decisively in the Battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25, 1066.

The English army, though victorious, was exhausted. They were immediately informed that the Normans had invaded the south.

The Battle of Hastings

With half of his army left behind, Harold rushed south, asking farmers and peasants to join his ranks. He chose a strong defensive position atop a hill near Hastings (likely Senlac Hill), where the ground below was marshland.

The Normans initially threw arrows, but they failed to reach the English shield wall. During the fighting, the English believed Duke William was dead, as many other Normans had fallen, and some began to break ranks and run away. Duke William showed them he was alive, but the Normans continued running away (a tactic known as the 'feigned retreat') so that the English would break formation and pursue them down the hill.

King Harold was killed during the battle (October 14, 1066). William was crowned King of England on December 25, 1066.

Key Locations in the Norman Consolidation

• Dover: There was a large castle here which protected the people, but the defenders surrendered without a fight.
• Hastings: The site where King Harold Godwinson died.
• London: Where William was crowned. People were afraid of him so they did not fight.
• The Fens: Where members of the old council were hiding; they were eventually taken by the Normans as prisoners.
• York: The castle was burned while Norman soldiers were inside. After that, William destroyed everything in the region (the 'Harrying of the North'). More than 100,000 people died of hunger.
• Exeter: People closed the castle gates, so William blinded 18 hostages before the gates were opened.

Resistance and Diplomacy

King Sweyn II of Denmark promised to help the rebels in York, but William paid the Danes to go back home.

The Domesday Book

William sent officials all over England to question the English populace regarding land ownership and value. When they had finished, a second group was sent to check that they were telling the truth. It took approximately one year to complete the questioning.

They called the resulting record the Domesday Book. For the English, having to give all they owned to the French King felt like the end of the world, hence the name.

Motte-and-Bailey Castle Terminology

Fence (Palisade)

Easy to defend.

Bailey

The outer area where soldiers and animals lived.

Motte

A large, man-made hill.

Tower (Keep)

Often made of wood and initially considered too small.

Ditch

A trench, often filled with water.

Drawbridge

A mechanism used for safety and controlled access.