Norman Conquest

Reti Vainokivi, Johanna Urm, Getter Õigus, Andra Prems

King Harold Godwin • Was the last Anglo-Saxon king before the

Norman Conquest • His reign lasted less than a year • His father, Godwin, was a powerful Earl of

Wessex • He was arguably the most powerful man in

England at his time• After Edward’s death, he claimed that he

should get the throne• Won Harald Hardraada at the battle• Is one of the two monarchs in British history,

who died in a battle• He was defeated at the Battle of Hastings by

William the Conqueror

Harald Hardraada • He was the king of Norway from 1047 until

1066• He was also claimed to be the King of

Denmark • Among English people, he is recognized for

his invasion of England• He won a great victory against the first

English forces he met • His forces were cut through easily• Harald died fighting at the final battle

against Harold’s forces

William I• The King of England from 1066 to his

death in 1087 • In 1032 became William of Normandy• He had altogether nine children• In 1066 was crowned as the King of

England in Westminster Abbey• In 1086 he ordered the Domesday

Book• On 9 September 1087 he died

William II• The third son of William I amd the

King of England from 1087 until 1100 • Got his nicknam William Rufus due to

his red-faced appearance• Was a very ruthless ruler• He had no children• Had troubles with the church• Died on 2 August 1100 because he

was shot

The Battle of Hastings• Took place in 1066, at Seniac Hill• Two sides were the Normans and the

English• Around 8000 men died• Harold was killed• The Normans won and William was

crowned the King of England

The Bayeux Tapestry• The Bayeux Tapestry is a 50 cm by 70

m long embroidered cloth – not an actual tapestry

• It explains the events leading up to the 1066 Norman invasion of England as well as the invasion itself

• It was made by the noble Saxon women

• The main colors are terracotta or russet, blue-green, dull gold, olive green and blue

The Bayeux Tapestry• People that appear in the Tapestry:

Edward the Confessor, Harold, William the Conqueror, Bishop Odo

• There are two problable places where it was made: in Winchester or in Canterbury

• It is an important historical source• It is presently put on public view in a

special musem in Bayeux, Normandy, France

The Tower of London• Situated in central London, on the

north bank of the river Thames• Consists of several buildings• The oldest building – the White Tower• Covers an area of 18 acres

The White Tower• The oldest building in the Tower• Was built in 1078 by William I• Originally referred to as the Great

Tower• 27 m high• Primary purpose – a fortress-

stronghold• Nowadays - a museum

Durham Cathedral• Situated in the city of Durham, England• Norman (Romanesque) architecture• Begun in 1093• The turning point for the cathedral was

after the Reformation in the 16th century

• Re-founded in 1540• On the bank of River Wear• 143 m high• A UNESCO World Heritage Site

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