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What was the Norman Conquest?

A cartoon Norman soldier wearing chain mail and carrying a sword and shield.

In 1066 there were two invasions of England, a Viking and a Norman invasion.

The Vikings were defeated but the Normans succeeded in conquering England, bringing to an end Anglo-Saxon England. This is known as the Norman Conquest.

A cartoon Norman soldier wearing chain mail and carrying a sword and shield.
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Who were the Normans?

The Normans, or 'North-men', were originally Vikings who settled in northern France in AD900.

A cloth showing Normans with swords on horses charging.

Edward 'the Confessor' was an important Anglo-Saxon king. He was later known as 鈥榯he Confessor鈥 because he was so religious. He didn't have any children so left no heir.

After Edward's death, the Witan, the Anglo-Saxon council, chose Earl Harold of Wessex as the next king.

Cartoon of Edward the Confessor lying on his deathbed with the crown next to him.
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What was the Battle of Hastings?

Normans and Anglo-Saxon armies fighting with swords and shields.

Duke William of Normandy was angry because he believed he was promised the throne. He ordered his army to invade England.

On October, 1066 the Duke William and King Harold's armies met on a ridge on the Downs. The Battle of Hastings began.

The English fought on foot, in shield-wall formation but the Normans had brought war-horses and archers with them. Harold was eventually killed and the English army fled. The Normans had won.

William became King of England on 25th December, 1066. Over the next twenty years the new king crushed rebellions, built castles and destroyed Anglo-Saxon churches and cathedrals.

Normans and Anglo-Saxon armies fighting with swords and shields.
Cartoon of Duke William being crowned King of England.
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How do we know what happened?

The Bayeux Tapestry is a long piece of embroidered cloth. It is almost 70 metres long!

It was made in England in 1075 by English women and tells the story of the Norman Conquest.

The story is told from the perspective of the Normans.

Watch: The Bayeux Tapestry

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Activities

Activity 1: Norman Conquest Timeline

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Activity 2: Quiz 鈥 Anglo-Saxon to Norman

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