Few military campaigns can claim such long-lasting effects on any one culture through history as the Norman Conquest of 1066. With its one largest confrontation in Hastings, the Norman Conquest was a turning point in British history. The conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy, was significant because of its lasting effect on history, government, and England’s independence as a nation.
For centuries, the British Isles had been little more than untamed country or the property of another empire. The Romans had invaded in roughly 43 A.D., and left many a sign of their presence behind them. However, the Roman Empire was not eternal. Their forces were withdrawn in the early fifth century, around the year 410 A.D. From roughly the fifth century to the tenth century, centralised national rule was a concept that was largely impossible in Britain at that time. European forces such as the Angles, Saxons, and Vikings had invaded when the Romans left, forcing the native Celts to submit or move farther from their homes in hopes of evading their new conquerors. These cultural clashes went on for several centuries until the nation's affairs finally came to a head in 1016. The King of Denmark invaded and subjugated the English people, establishing a Danish monarch and those loyal to him as the ruling class. The Danish monarch ended in 1042, and was succeeded by a man who later came to be known as Edward the Confessor.
It was on the fifth of January, 1066, that King Edward of England died. He left behind him a legacy of well over twenty years as a ruler, but had been unable to produce a suitable heir. With the future of the crown so uncertain, the inevitable power struggles began. At the heart of these struggles were William, Duke of Normandy, and Harold Godwinson. Both had claims to the throne, and both had the resources to fight for what they believed was theirs. After assembling his forces together on the twenty-seventh of September, William sailed for England. On the fourteenth of October, the Norman forces under William engaged in conflict with the army of Harold Godwinson at a site in England called Hastings. By the end of that day, Harold Godwinson had been killed and William was declared the victor. From October to December, William and the English nobility were in a state of conflict until he agreed to guarantee their status after his coronation. Ultimately, he was crowned the King of England on Christmas Day of that same year. Since this battle, no foreign invasion of England has been successful, making William’s conquest a significant moment in history. Following his accession to the throne on Christmas Day, William established himself as not only the King, but the founder of the Norman Dynasty. The Norman Dynasty lasted well into the mid-twelfth century, setting a groundwork for government that made it possible for the English people to control their own nation once more. An English monarch has been in place in England for well over nine hundred years, a tradition that carries on even today with Queen Elizabeth II.
When William the Conqueror was crowned king, the nation had been divided for many years by politics and the history of its people. Competing national identities had been fighting for centuries, among them the Celts and Anglo-Saxons. Though complete unification did not happen during William’s reign, it did begin a tradition of a central ruler who passed his title on to his children. These children then passed it on to their children, creating long family dynasties that made England a more stable nation. Because no foreign power has been able to invade successfully since William’s rule, it was the Norman Conquest that began an uninterrupted period in which England was independent. In fact, this strengthened England so much that later, they went on to conquer its neighbours and colonise several other countries. What had begun as a land of conquered natives was eventually able to turn itself into the British Empire, which was in turn a very successful and powerful period in the nation’s history.
A single year of conflict may not have seemed to be a significant turning point in the history books at the time, but this one day of confrontation led to much greater things for the British people. It brought about a more stable monarchy and government, beginning in 1066 with the Norman Dynasty and continuing on today in the largely symbolic House of Windsor. The Norman Conquest was a relatively brief confrontation that had enduring, resounding effects on the British people, their history, and their independence. It was a stepping stone that took them out from under the influence of Anglo-Saxon and Viking rulers and sent them on their way to becoming one of the major players in the current events of the world today.
For centuries, the British Isles had been little more than untamed country or the property of another empire. The Romans had invaded in roughly 43 A.D., and left many a sign of their presence behind them. However, the Roman Empire was not eternal. Their forces were withdrawn in the early fifth century, around the year 410 A.D. From roughly the fifth century to the tenth century, centralised national rule was a concept that was largely impossible in Britain at that time. European forces such as the Angles, Saxons, and Vikings had invaded when the Romans left, forcing the native Celts to submit or move farther from their homes in hopes of evading their new conquerors. These cultural clashes went on for several centuries until the nation's affairs finally came to a head in 1016. The King of Denmark invaded and subjugated the English people, establishing a Danish monarch and those loyal to him as the ruling class. The Danish monarch ended in 1042, and was succeeded by a man who later came to be known as Edward the Confessor.
It was on the fifth of January, 1066, that King Edward of England died. He left behind him a legacy of well over twenty years as a ruler, but had been unable to produce a suitable heir. With the future of the crown so uncertain, the inevitable power struggles began. At the heart of these struggles were William, Duke of Normandy, and Harold Godwinson. Both had claims to the throne, and both had the resources to fight for what they believed was theirs. After assembling his forces together on the twenty-seventh of September, William sailed for England. On the fourteenth of October, the Norman forces under William engaged in conflict with the army of Harold Godwinson at a site in England called Hastings. By the end of that day, Harold Godwinson had been killed and William was declared the victor. From October to December, William and the English nobility were in a state of conflict until he agreed to guarantee their status after his coronation. Ultimately, he was crowned the King of England on Christmas Day of that same year. Since this battle, no foreign invasion of England has been successful, making William’s conquest a significant moment in history. Following his accession to the throne on Christmas Day, William established himself as not only the King, but the founder of the Norman Dynasty. The Norman Dynasty lasted well into the mid-twelfth century, setting a groundwork for government that made it possible for the English people to control their own nation once more. An English monarch has been in place in England for well over nine hundred years, a tradition that carries on even today with Queen Elizabeth II.
When William the Conqueror was crowned king, the nation had been divided for many years by politics and the history of its people. Competing national identities had been fighting for centuries, among them the Celts and Anglo-Saxons. Though complete unification did not happen during William’s reign, it did begin a tradition of a central ruler who passed his title on to his children. These children then passed it on to their children, creating long family dynasties that made England a more stable nation. Because no foreign power has been able to invade successfully since William’s rule, it was the Norman Conquest that began an uninterrupted period in which England was independent. In fact, this strengthened England so much that later, they went on to conquer its neighbours and colonise several other countries. What had begun as a land of conquered natives was eventually able to turn itself into the British Empire, which was in turn a very successful and powerful period in the nation’s history.
A single year of conflict may not have seemed to be a significant turning point in the history books at the time, but this one day of confrontation led to much greater things for the British people. It brought about a more stable monarchy and government, beginning in 1066 with the Norman Dynasty and continuing on today in the largely symbolic House of Windsor. The Norman Conquest was a relatively brief confrontation that had enduring, resounding effects on the British people, their history, and their independence. It was a stepping stone that took them out from under the influence of Anglo-Saxon and Viking rulers and sent them on their way to becoming one of the major players in the current events of the world today.
Works Cited
"Before 1066." Great Britain, UK Tourist Information Guide. Web. 10 Sept. 2010. <http://www.great-britain.co.uk/history/pre1066.htm>.
Ibeji, Mike. "BBC - History - British History in Depth: Background to the Conquest." BBC - History. BBC, 5 Nov. 2009. Web. 8 Sept. 2010. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/background_01.shtml>.
"Introduction." Essential Norman Conquest - An Interactive Day-by-day Retelling of the Events of 1066. Osprey Publishing, 2006. Web. 8 Sept. 2010. <http://www.essentialnormanconquest.com/story/introduction.htm>.
"Invasion of England, 1066." EyeWitness to History - History through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It. Ibis Communications, Inc. Web. 9 Sept. 2010. <http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/bayeux.htm>.
Mahoney, Mike. "William the Conqueror." English Monarchs - A Complete History of the Kings and Queens of England. Web. 10 Sept. 2010. <http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/normans.htm>.
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