The Norman Conquest

The section explains the Norman Conquest of England in1066 and the Norman influence. The Viking Age effectively came to an end when the Normans, led by Duke William of Normandy, invaded England in 1066. Just prior to the Norman invasion, England had experienced internal instability, and the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II, was engaged in a battle against the Viking king Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge. Harold defeated the Vikings at this battle, but shortly thereafter, he was forced to march south to face the invading Normans at the Battle of Hastings. In October 1066, William’s forces defeated Harold’s army, and William became King of England.

The Norman Influence

The Normans brought about sweeping changes to England, fundamentally reshaping its society, government, and culture.

• Norman Immigration: The Normans had already begun to migrate to England decades before 1066, notably through the marriage of Emma of Normandy to King Ethelred, and the exile of Edward the Confessor to Normandy in the 1040s. By the time William invaded, many Norman nobles had established themselves in England, and they played an influential role in the kingdom’s administration.
• Land Distribution: Following his victory, William distributed much of England’s land to his Norman followers, creating a new aristocracy of Norman barons and knights who controlled vast estates. This radically changed the structure of English society, as the Anglo-Saxon nobility was largely displaced.
• Cultural and Linguistic Changes: One of the most significant impacts of the Norman Conquest was the introduction of Norman French as the language of the court and government. For centuries, French would be the dominant language of law and administration in England, leading to the development of Anglo-Norman culture. Many English words were borrowed from French, including terms related to the aristocracy (e.g., "beef" from French "boeuf," "castle," "parliament," and "justice").
• Feudal System: The Normans introduced the feudal system to England, which was characterised by a hierarchical structure of land ownership and obligations. The king owned all the land, and granted it to his loyal nobles (barons), who in turn granted land to knights and peasants. This system consolidated William’s power and ensured the loyalty of his supporters.

Legacy of the Normans

Although French remained the language of government for several centuries, by the late 14th century, the English language had regained its dominance. In 1362, King Edward III passed a law requiring that all law courts conduct their business in English, and in 1363, Simon Langham, the King's Chancellor, delivered the first speech in English to Parliament. This marked the eventual shift back to English as the language of governance, but the cultural and social changes introduced by the Normans continued to shape England for centuries.

The Norman Conquest, along with the earlier Viking invasions, left a deep mark on English history, transforming the country’s political landscape, social structure, and cultural identity.