The Battle of Hastings was a pivitol event in English History. The conclusion of the battle brought about the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and in its place came the French nobility, Norman traditions, and the Frankish language. No longer was England ruled by those of Saxon blood, war cheifs or elected coucil members, but by nobles who inhereted the throne from their fathers, regardless of their incompetence or stupidity. The language set the ruling class apart from their subjects, though over time the French disolved into English, bringing many French words with it.
Edward the Confessor succeeded to the English throne in 1042 and re-established the Anglo- Saxon dynasty after the Danish dynasty. Having been brought up in Normandy, he spoke French and had learnt French customs and culture. When he came to England, he tried to impose the French influence on the English and replaced many of his advisers with French supporters and friends. This was counterbalanced by the power of his English father-in-law, Earl Godwin.
Edward the Confessor was aging, and yet he had no heir to the throne. It was then he decided to chose a respectable replacement. His final choice was Duke William of Normandy.
William was the bastard child of the ruling Duke of Normandy, Robert I, and Harleva, a tanners daughter. When the Duke died, his men followed on his last wish by finding William, who was age 12, and brought him back to the castle to take his fathers place. William was placed in the care of the Archbishop of Rouen, Robert. While there William survived two attempts on his life, one ending in the death of a servent. When William was in his twentys he led campaigns against those who felt William wasn't sutable to rule Normandy. William conquered his foes, and gained their loyalty. He later married Mathilda, who's father was the guardion of King Philip of France, but angered the Pope during some dispute over the marriage.
A few years later William caught word that an Englishman had been captured by a troublesome lord in a neighboring province. William paid the ransom, and recieved from the English messanger a letter from Edward the Confessor stating that William was next in line for the throne. William filled with glee, and bestowed upon the mesenger a huge fortune and sent him back to England in style. The man was Harold Godwinson.
Harold Godwinson was a member of the wealthy and powerful family. He himself was the son of Earl Godwin, Earl of Wessex, a member of the heptarchy that was well known for its wealth and military prowless. Harold had hoped for the throne himself, but never recieved it while Edward was in power. However, either to start up trouble before he died or because he was sympethetic towards the saxon, Edward the Confessor or his council, the Witan, selected Harold as the new king in 1066.
William was not a pleasant man. Angered at the loss of the throne and the fact that Godwinson had betraid him (during his stay in Normandy, Harold gave an oath to serve William when the Duke became king) William set out to retake what was his, by force. After recieving a blessing by the Pope, William gathered a large army, comprising of Norman crossbowman, the crossbow being a new weapon to this part of the world, infantry, and a large contingment of Norman knights.
However, before William even thought about invasion there was already outside trouble. King Tostig of Northumbia had lost his throne to a rebellion some years before. After retreating to Scotland and then on to Norway, he allied himself with Harold Hardrada, King of Norway. Hardrada wanted England, and Tostig was to recieve rule of his kingdom again.
The norsemen decided to act the year Edward the Confessor died. In Early September, the Norwiegans captured the town of Riccall, and then marched to York. On September 25th, the vikings met Harold's army at Stamford Brigde, where the vikings met defeat, and the loss of Hardrada and Tostig. It was in York that Harold Godwinson heard about William's invasion fleet landing at the town of Pevensey, in Southern England. In 19 short days Harold forced marched his army, only resting in London to gather more troops. He reached Caldbec Hill outside of Hastings and set up positions, with housecarls, the elite troops, mixed in with fyrdmen, the peasant troops.
On October 14th, 1066 William lined up his troops. His army was divided into three sections, each with a commander. The left section comprised mainly of Bretons, the central section were Norman under Willliam's command and the right section was made up of the French and Flemish. Each section was divided into three rows - the archers, the infantry and the cavalry. William's plan was to use the archers first to send their arrows into the English ranks, followed by the infantry in hand-to-hand combat and to finally advance with the cavalry who had the height and power of being on horseback. The effect would be a three pronged attack and a gradual build up in power that would demoralise the English.
The first assault failed, with the British troops on the right retreating. Sadly, some saxons followed themm, but were slaughtered by Norman calvary. The next two assaults provided with better results. But during one of these assaults William was injured and fell from his horse. His troops feared the day was lost but were soon put at peace. William got up, jumped on his horse, and removed his helmet so that every man under his rank could see his face. The troops rallied, and the attack commenced again. It was during this charge that the ranks fell, and Harold was fighting for his life. He was killed when an arrow found his eye. The saxon troops fled in horror as the Normans laid waist to their army.
The Normans won the day, and William led his victorious troops on to London, where on Christmas day, 1066, William of Normandy was crowned King of England and became known as William the Conquorer. William started his reign by building castles, many castles. Most were stationed along the Welsh border to prevent raids from the Welsh. William then established the infamous Tower of London in 1067. In 1086 William created the Domesday Book. William established West Minister Abbey in order to make amends to the Pope for his marriage to Mathilda. However, William later wrote a letter to the Bishop of Rome, stating that he owed no allegiance.
In 1070 William faced an uprising of Saxons, led by Hereward the Wake in eastern England. It took two years before William finaly captured Hereward, and in that same year, 1072, conquered Scotland.
In 1087 William died, leaving the throne to his son, Rufus.