2. NATIONAL CURRICULUM KEY STAGE 3 HISTORY THE NORMAN INVASION AND CONQUEST INTERACTIVE How did the Norman Invasion and Conquest change England?

3. The Norman Invasion and Conquest Interactive Harold Godwinson was the Earl of Wessex. He was the most powerful Earl Earl in England and was Edward the Confessor’s Brother-in-Law. He was English. Harald Hadrada was the grandson of Cnut a former king of England. He also felt that he might get some support from Viking families in the North of England. William of Normandy was Edward the Confessor’s cousin and was promised the throne by him. He had helped Edward in the past. William was Duke of Normandy. Edward the Confessor, the King of England, died on 5 January 1066. Harold Godwinson, the Earl of Wessex wanted to be the next king. He was the most important noble in the land. Harold knew that gaining the throne was not going to be easy. Two other men claimed that the throne belonged to them. One was William of Normandy; the other was Harold Hardrada, the Viking King of Norway.noble 1 2 3 6 6 1 2 3 The death and funeral of Edward the Confessor.

4. The Norman Invasion and Conquest Interactive I helped Edward protect his throne from earls who rebelled against him. Harold of Wessex also said that I should become King of England when Edward died. I am a very good soldier and England needs a strong ruler right now. Edward promised the English throne to me. But... I might not be English but there have been other foreign rulers of England in the past. People say that I am very cruel but this is not true. What were his weaknesses? What were his strengths? CONTENDER 2 William of Normandy Don’t listen to the other two claimants. I have the experience and skill. Duke of Normandy 8 8 I will make sure England is protected from any further invasions. invasions.

5. Senlac Hill Archers Foot Soldiers Horses Housecarls Fyrd Marshland The Normans then kept charging up the hill and hurling their spears but the English shield wall held firm and the Normans were driven back time and again. The Normans used their archers to fire arrows at the Saxons. The Battle of Hastings 14 October 1066 The Afternoon This animation shows how the Normans tried but failed to break the Saxon ‘shield wall’. 16