Cuộc Chinh Phục Norman

In 1066, one of the most important events in English history occurred: the Norman Conquest. When King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 without an heir, Harold Godwinson (Earl of Wessex) was crowned king, but William, Duke of Normandy also claimed the throne.

On 14 October 1066, the two armies met at the Battle of Hastings (fought near the town of Hastings, at a place now called Battle, East Sussex). Harold was killed — traditionally by an arrow in his eye — and William won decisively.

William was crowned King on Christmas Day 1066 at Westminster Abbey. He became known as William the Conqueror. The Norman Conquest was the last successful foreign invasion of England.

William the Conqueror introduced the feudal system: the king owned all land and gave portions to lords and barons in return for loyalty and military service. Lords gave land to knights, and peasants worked the land for protection.

The Normans built castles across England, including the Tower of London and Windsor Castle.

William ordered a great survey of all land and property, completed in 1086 and known as the Domesday Book (pronounced "Doomsday Book"). It listed every settlement, its owner, land area, population, and livestock. It was used primarily to determine taxation. The Domesday Book still exists at The National Archives in Kew, London.

The Normans introduced Norman French to the English court. The ruling class spoke French while ordinary people spoke English. Many modern English words of French origin date from this period (e.g., "government," "parliament," "justice").