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The '''Norman Conquest''' of 1066 AD is a famous event in the history of [[England]], and is the last time that England was successfully invaded by a foreign power.

The '''Norman Conquest''' of 1066 AD is a decisive event in the history of [[England]]. The Normans (former Vikings who lived in France and now spoke French) invaded and defeated the Anglo-Saxon army, and permanently took control of England.

 

It is the last time that England was successfully invaded by a foreign power.

==The battle of Hastings==

==The battle of Hastings==

When [[Edward the Confessor]], King of England, died on January 4, 1066, a three-way struggle for the throne ensued. [[Harold Godwinson]], Earl of [[Wessex]], and already the most powerful man in the kingdom, was proclaimed king. But [[Harald Hardrada]], King of [[Norway]], and [[William the Conqueror|William the Bastard]], Duke of [[Normandy]], both believed they had a better claim. After a tense year of military preparation on all sides, the first to invade was Harald Hardrada, who landed in [[Yorkshire]]. King Harold marched north to meet him and destroyed the Norwegian army at the [[Battle of Stamford Bridge]], September 25, 1066, killing Harald Hardrada in the process. It was one of the most decisive English victories ever, but the following day, amidst the celebrations, Harold received word that Duke William had landed with his army on the south coast. He immediately set off with his army on a forced march from [[York]] to [[Hastings]], and the exhausted English army met the Normans in the [[Battle of Hastings]] on October 14, 1066. The forces were very evenly matched, and the battle went on all day, until finally at dusk Harold was hit with an arrow in the eye and died. Leaderless the English fought on into the night but the situation became increasingly hopeless and Duke William won the battle. For the next few weeks William laid waste the countryside around [[London]], finally forcing the English [[Witan]] (i.e. parliament) to accept him as king. He was crowned as William I, the Conqueror, on December 25, 1066.

When [[Edward the Confessor]], King of England, died on January 4, 1066, a three-way struggle for the throne ensued. [[Harold Godwinson]], Earl of [[Wessex]], and already the most powerful man in the kingdom, was proclaimed king. But Harald Hardrada, King of [[Norway]], and [[William the Conqueror|William the Bastard]], Duke of [[Normandy]], both had strong claims. After a tense year of military preparation on all sides, the first to invade was Harald Hardrada, who landed in [[Yorkshire]]. King Harold marched north to meet him and destroyed the Norwegian army at the [[Battle of Stamford Bridge]], September 25, 1066, killing Harald Hardrada. It was one of the most decisive English victories ever, but the following day, amidst the celebrations, Harold received word that Duke William had landed with his army on the south coast.  

 

Harold immediately set off with his army on a forced march from [[York]] to [[Hastings]], and the exhausted English army met the Normans in the [[Battle of Hastings]] on October 14, 1066. The forces were very evenly matched, and the battle went on all day, until finally at dusk Harold was hit with an arrow in the eye and died. Leaderless the English fought on into the night but the situation became increasingly hopeless and Duke William won the battle. For the next few weeks William laid waste the countryside around London, finally forcing the English [[Witan]] (i.e. parliament) to accept him as king. He was crowned as William I, the Conqueror, on December 25, 1066.

==Conquest==

==Conquest==