The Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings
"War... is harmful, not only to the conquered but to the conqueror."
It was easy for William to be Duke of Normandy since he was promised the throne by Edward the Confessor. William had gone to the knighting academy at the age of 15 in 1042. After his father died in 1035, William became king. William had many accomplishments and was great at planning battle strategies. William loved to battle and be a part of war. But he also knew it was dangerous. He once said, "War... is harmful, not only to the conquered but to the conqueror." When Conqueror found himself at a disadvantage, he retreated as quickly as he could. His plans were simple and direct. However, he was not a flamboyant (approaching) commander.
After getting throne by Edward the Confessor, William conquers England. This part of history is called the Norman Conquest.The Norman conquest of England began on September 28, 1066. The Norman conquest was a turning point in English history. He is one of the few people who attacked a kingdom from a smaller area. It largely removed the native ruling class, replacing it with a foreign, French-speaking Normans. In return for conquering the kingdom, he brought about a transformation of the English language and the culture of England into "Norman England". Other things were going on in England, however. Edward also granted the kingdom to Harold Godwine (to become King Harold II) , head of the leading noble family in England and more powerful than the king himself.
In January 1066, King Edward died, and led to the problem of who should rule England. Should King Harold II rule or should William the Conqueror? That was decided at Senlac Hill. The Battle of Hastings took place at the Senlac Hill on October 14, 1066. It is the battle between Conqueror and King Harold II. William's army made the first attack but were held off by the shield wall. Sometime later, the Saxons heard a cry that william had died. The saxons believed the Normans' trick and let their guard down. This gave Norman horseman the opportunity that they have been waiting for. They charged into the Saxon foot soldiers cut them down before they rode up the hill. The battle lasted all day and towards the end of the day, Harold fell probably because he was thought to be shot by an arrow in the eye. Harold's army was destroyed and William had won the war. The Battle of Hastings is one of the reason Conqueror is so important. It turned England upside down.
After getting throne by Edward the Confessor, William conquers England. This part of history is called the Norman Conquest.The Norman conquest of England began on September 28, 1066. The Norman conquest was a turning point in English history. He is one of the few people who attacked a kingdom from a smaller area. It largely removed the native ruling class, replacing it with a foreign, French-speaking Normans. In return for conquering the kingdom, he brought about a transformation of the English language and the culture of England into "Norman England". Other things were going on in England, however. Edward also granted the kingdom to Harold Godwine (to become King Harold II) , head of the leading noble family in England and more powerful than the king himself.
In January 1066, King Edward died, and led to the problem of who should rule England. Should King Harold II rule or should William the Conqueror? That was decided at Senlac Hill. The Battle of Hastings took place at the Senlac Hill on October 14, 1066. It is the battle between Conqueror and King Harold II. William's army made the first attack but were held off by the shield wall. Sometime later, the Saxons heard a cry that william had died. The saxons believed the Normans' trick and let their guard down. This gave Norman horseman the opportunity that they have been waiting for. They charged into the Saxon foot soldiers cut them down before they rode up the hill. The battle lasted all day and towards the end of the day, Harold fell probably because he was thought to be shot by an arrow in the eye. Harold's army was destroyed and William had won the war. The Battle of Hastings is one of the reason Conqueror is so important. It turned England upside down.