William the Conqueror’s English Invasion Changed European History in 1066
Reading Time: 4 minutes 1066 is a year that everyone should be familiar with—a year where the entire landscape of Europe would change forever. The location is England. The perpetrator was William the Conqueror. This isn’t a story of the invasion and change of a country, but rather how this singular event continues to impact people today.
Prologue to the Conquest
The background to William’s conquest was the death of the childless English king Edward the Confessor in January 1066. This sparked a scramble for the succession, providing a chaotic backdrop to William’s invasion. William, Duke of Normandy, had claimed that Edward had promised him the throne and that Edward’s brother-in-law and the new King of England, Harold Godwinson, had sworn an oath on sacred relics to support William’s claim.
But claims to the English throne were not limited to William and Harold. King Harald Hardrada of Norway also had ambitions, which added to the mix.
Battle of Stamford Bridge
Before William could turn his attention towards England, Harold Godwinson had another invader to deal with. King Harald Hardrada of Norway, with support from Harold’s traitorous brother Tostig, landed on the northern shores of England. The two armies clashed at Stamford Bridge (image above). The English won, but the battle exacted a price. Harold’s army was triumphant, but they were also tired, a consideration that would have dire consequences in the upcoming fight with William.
Battle of Hastings: A New Dawn
England’s fate would finally be decided on 14 October 1066. William’s Normans clashed with King Harold’s exhausted troops. Bishop Odo, William’s half-brother, and Eustace of Boulogne were among the many individuals who became heroes on this day. Harold’s army occupied the top of Senlac Hill and held off the Norman attacks for a while by forming a shield wall.
The English resisted with great determination, but eventually the Normans feigned retreats, and the death of Harold (reportedly by an arrow through the eye) changed the tide. William’s army claimed victory (shown below on the infamous Bayeux Tapestry). Casualties were estimated in the thousands (numbers range from 2,000 to 4,000 per side).
How William the Conqueror’s Victory Changed the Course of History
The death of Harold and the crowning of William on Christmas Day, 1066, set the stage for massive shifts in England:
Norman Aristocracy: William the Conqueror, a Norman, distributed lands to his followers. This led to a new feudal system and a new aristocracy that had significant influence in medieval European politics.
Architectural Renaissance: The Normans, under the leadership of William the Conqueror, were known for their distinctive architectural style, as seen in the Tower of London and various cathedrals, which left an indomitable mark on English and European landscapes.
Legal Evolution: The Normans, under William the Conqueror, implemented a centralized system of governance and law, the echoes of which can still be heard in the modern English legal system.
Linguistic Fusion: The fusion of Old English and Norman French gave rise to Middle English, which enriched English vocabulary and set the stage for the language as we know it today.
Diplomatic Shifts: With England now a Norman domain, England’s political alliances and diplomatic relationships shifted, creating ties to the continent, particularly with William the Conqueror’s first duchy of Normandy, and influencing European politics for centuries to come.
Echoes in the Modern World
Legacies of William’s conquest which started in 1066 still impact today’s world:
Magna Carta: The oppressive Normans’ rule in England eventually led to rebellions. The resulting events, including the 1215 signing of the Magna Carta, became the foundations for modern democracy and human rights.
Legal Precedence: William the Conqueror ordered an in-depth survey known as the ‘Domesday Book’. The detailed records set a precedent for future record-keeping. For example, contemporary land registry and tax offices are, to some extent, a legacy of the Normans in England.
Cultural Legacy: The Norman and Anglo-Saxon cultural fusion enriched the development of literature, art and philosophy. This affected the European Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. Iconic books, such as Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales”, were also a result of cultural and historical fusion.
Political Dynamics: The power dynamics of Europe, and the UK’s relations with France in particular, were significantly shaped by 1066 and William the Conqueror. Alliances, enmities, and political rivalries that defined European history have their roots in William’s conquest.
Conclusion
By conquering England, William changed the course of its people, language, institutions, and national identity. The echoes of 1066 still hold sway over Europe’s future, a testament to a year that shaped it. As we live our busy lives in the 21st century, it can be both a humbling and enlightening experience to look back on that crucial time in European history.
