History of English Part 2 The Norman Conquest

History of English Part 2: The Norman Conquest 1

Edward the Confessor rd the a w d E d n a 6 6 0 1 It is d, is n la g n E f o g in k , r Confesso dying lings ib s r o n e r d il h c o He had n the o S. e c la p is h e k a to t g in k s a w e n o y r question eve g? in k e m o c e b ld u o was who w 2

Harold #1 – Harold G. On his deathbed he named Harold Godwinson – Earl of Wessex – as his successor (at least according to Harold). Though he was not a blood relative he was accepted because he was the leader of the King’s army However, he was not the only one who wanted the throne…dun dun 3

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William, Duke of Normandy William claimed that Edward had promised him the throne in 1051 Then in 1064 Harold G. was shipwrecked off the coast of Normandy William gave him shelter and said that Harold promised to support his claim to the throne 5

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What is the problem with these two claims? 7

Harold #2 Harold Hardrada, King of Norway, also wanted the throne He thought it should be his because between 1016 ad 1042 Norway had provided Vikings and so it was high time for another Viking – him. 8

Drama in the court Hardrada had the backing of Harold G. ’s brother, Tostig, because they were in a fight and he wanted revenge 9

d l o r a H t u o h c t a W h t u o s e h t n yo m r a n a t p e ion s a v n i Harold G. k s ’ m a i Will r o f g n i t i a 6. coast w 6 0 1 f o r e mm u s e h t g n i r du r, e h t a e w d a ob t e u d , r on i e s v a v n i s i Howe h ch n u a l t o n d l t n e s y l l a n William cou i f arold H. t p e S n i fleet and me. o h n e m s i h 10

Hardrada Invades! On Sept. 18 th, Harold G. received news that Hardrada had landed with 300 ships Harold G. marched north to confront him with his elite troops, the houscarls. Harold G. destroyed Hardrada’s army, killing Hardrada himself. 11

Here comes William 4 days after Hardrada’s defeat, a messenger arrives to tell Harold G. that William has landed near Hastings – 250 miles away His fleet of 700 ships carried 7000 infantry and Calvary Harold marched south with his force of 7000 – of which only 2000 were his elite. 12

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The Battle of Hastings Oct. 14 th, 1066 14

The Battle Cont. Around 8000 men died Harold G. was shot through the eye and killed The Normans won and William was crowned King of England 15

Why did William win? The Normans had knights on horseback while the Saxons did not The Normans had archers and the Saxons did not Harold’s men had to march 250 miles to get to the battle William tricked Harold’s men so he could flank them William took his helmet off to prove he lived so his men would rally A large amount of Harold’s elite troops were killed during the battle with Hardrada 16

The aftermath ed as receiv w m a li il W k in th u o y How do in England? 066 1 m o fr d n la g n E f o g in He stayed k until his death in 1087 off a g in ll fa m o fr s e ri ju in Died from horse ok o B y a d s e m o D e th d re In 1086 he orde 17

The Bayeux Tapestry Considered one of the masterpieces of medieval art 230 feet long and 1820 inches wide It contains the events leading up to 1066 and the actual battle It is made of embroidered cloth – not actual tapestry It was made by noble women of the time 18

http: //www. cosmolearning. com/video s/bayeux-tapestry-animated-version/ 19