The Norman conquest of England was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an army of Normans, Bretons and French soldiers led by Duke William II of Normandy, later William the Conqueror. William, who defeated the Anglo-Saxon King Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, was crowned king in London on Christmas Day, 1066. He then consolidated his control and settled many of his followers in England, introducing a number of governmental and societal changes. William's claim to the English throne derived from his familial relationship with the childless King Edward the Confessor, who may have encouraged William's hopes for the throne. But when Edward died in January 1066, he was succeeded by his brother-in-law Harold, who faced challenges from William and another claim by the Norwegian king, Harald Hardrada. Hardrada invaded northern England in September 1066 and was victorious at the Battle of Fulford before being defeated and killed by King Harold at the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066. William had meanwhile landed in southern England, and Harold quickly marched south to confront him, leaving many of his forces behind in the north. On 14 October Harold's army confronted William's invaders near Hastings. After an all-day battle, Harold's army was defeated and he was killed. Wikipedia [ - ]

The Norman conquest of England was the 11th-century invasion and occupation of England by an... [ + ]