Key Battles

Leaders

Invasions and Leaders

Introduction

Battle of Hastings:

Normandy’s historic victory over the Saxon army of King Harold, leading to the conquest of England and the eventual replacement of the Anglo-Saxon dominated society by a Norman French one.

The leader of the Normans was William the Duke of Normandy. William was born in 1027. He became duke of Normandy when he was only seven years old. William invaded England to become King and claim the throne from Harold. The Normans were very successful in England because King Harold's army was poorly depleted of resources from the Battle of Stamford Bridge in Northern England on 25 September 1066. By early 1071, William had control of almost all of England, although rebellions and resistance continued until  1088.