Battle of Hastings: Norman Conquest of England

• The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a turning point in English history, marking the start of Norman rule and significant cultural, political, and linguistic changes.
• In January 1066, Edward the Confessor died without a clear heir, leading to a succession crisis with multiple claimants to the English throne.
• Harold Godwinson, an English nobleman, claimed the throne, asserting Edward the Confessor named him successor on his deathbed.
• Harold was crowned king of England one day after Edward's death.
• William of Normandy argued that Edward had promised him the throne and Harold had sworn an oath to respect this.
• Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway, claimed a right to the throne based on the earlier reign of King Cnut.
• For nine months, King Harold awaited his rivals, and in September 1066, Harald Hardrada landed near York with 10,000 Vikings.
• King Harold defeated Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, where both Hardrada and Tostig were killed.
• This battle is seen as the symbolic end of the Viking Age, with Hardrada remembered as 'the last Viking'.
• After Stamford Bridge, Harold marched his army 400 kilometers south in 9 days to face William of Normandy, who had landed on the English coast.
• At the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William of Normandy was victorious, and Harold was killed.
• William conquered England, was crowned king in London, and became known as William the Conqueror.
• William's Norman French culture differed from the Anglo-Saxon culture in England.
• William brought French nobles to England, replacing Anglo-Saxon rulers in positions of power.
• The period after 1066 is referred to as Norman England, marked by significant changes.

Feudalism

• A system of social and political organization in the Middle Ages where land was exchanged for protection.
• The king granted land to loyal supporters who promised to fight for him and protect the land.
• Land recipients could grant parts of it to others, creating a hierarchy of noble ranks with titles like counts, barons, and dukes.
• Lords gave land and received protection, while vassals received land and offered protection; one could be both a lord and a vassal.
• Feudalism replaced the Anglo-Saxon system and became the standard system of power and land ownership in medieval Europe.

Domesday Book

• In 1086, William the Conqueror ordered the creation of the Domesday Book, detailing all land and property in England.
• Officials surveyed every piece of land, recording ownership, value, and resources.
• The record helped William determine the wealth of his kingdom, collect taxes, and manage his reign.
• The Domesday Book became a key tool for governance and control of land, considered one of the most important documents in English history.

Middle English Language

• The Norman invasion influenced the vocabulary of the English, and a new language evolved through the mix of Old English and Norman French, it was called Middle English.
• Many French words replaced Old English terms, impacting modern English vocabulary.
• For example, the meat of cows became "beef" (from French bœuf), while the animal remained "cow" (from Old English cu).
• The meat from pigs became "pork" (from French porc), replacing the Old English term "swine" when referring to food.
• For sheep, the meat was called "mutton" (from French mouton), even though the animal was still known as "sheep" (from Old English sceap).

The Three-Estate System

• A social system in Europe during the Middle Ages, not unique to Norman England.
• Medieval society was highly structured: the clergy, the nobility and the commoners.
• Each estate was divided into two subgroups, adding up to six social groups in total, and had its own rights and duties.
• The clergy was divided into the high clergy (pope, cardinals, bishops) and the low clergy (priests, monks).
• The nobility was divided into high nobility (kings, counts, barons) and low nobility (knights)
• The commoners were divided into the free people and the serfs.
• The clergy had the right to own land and collect taxes, with the duty to pray for the people.
• The nobility was duty bound to protect everyone and could own land and tax people on their land.
• The commoners had the duty to work and pay taxes to the other estates. Free people could become merchants or craftsmen and could travel or migrate to other places
• The serfs were farmers bound to the land they lived on, with limited freedom.
• The estate system lasted until the Late Modern Period and is no longer in use today.

The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was pivotal, initiating Norman rule and reshaping English culture, politics, and language. Edward the Confessor's death sparked a succession crisis, with Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy, and Harald Hardrada all vying for the throne. Harold's victory at Stamford Bridge preceded his defeat at Hastings.