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Can one man change the course of history?

William the Conqueror. Can one man change the course of history?. Bayeux Tapestry. Tradition states the tapestry was made by William’s wife, Matilda, and her ladies. It is 270 feet long and has 50 scenes of William’s life. Steps Leading up to 1066.

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Can one man change the course of history?

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  1. William the Conqueror Can one man change the course of history?

  2. Bayeux Tapestry Tradition states the tapestry was made by William’s wife, Matilda, and her ladies. It is 270 feet long and has 50 scenes of William’s life.

  3. Steps Leading up to 1066 • In 1051, William visited England and met with his cousin Edward the Confessor, the childless English king. • According to Norman historians, Edward promised to make William his heir. • On his deathbed, however, Edward granted the kingdom to Harold Godwine, head of the leading noble family in England and more powerful than the king himself. • In January 1066, King Edward died, and Harold Godwine was proclaimed King Harold II. William immediately disputed his claim.

  4. All the Norman fighters had training and experience. The Normans (William and Allies) Archers – men who fired arrows into the air. Cavalry – men on horseback, armed with swords. Foot soldiers – men on foot, armed with spears. The Saxons(Harold’s housecarls and fyrds) Housecarls– professional soldiers, often armed with a battleaxe Fyrd – men who were ‘volunteered’ to Harold’s force. They had little or no training and were unpaid.

  5. Harold had the advantage • His army was on the high ground • His soldiers formed a tight wall of overlapping shields. The wall was so tight, it is said that if a soldier died, he remained standing William needed a plan to break through or somehow destroy the wall!

  6. Where’s William??????????? The rumor was spread that William died. (I don’t believe a word of it, but…..) Maybe he was dead? Disheartened, the Normans turned and ran down hill. Harold’s men were so excited they picked up their shields and ran after Normans!

  7. William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066 at Westminster Abbey

  8. William’s rule permanently changed the Kingdom of England • Highly trained soldiers, archers, and mounted knights were now part of the country’s standing army • 2. Norman (northman) culture was brought to England (remember this culture was of Viking descent). Might is right! • 3. William and his court spoke French while the common folk spoke Saxon. New words were added into English households (two words for same thing –beef/cattle, pigs/pork) • 4. Fortified stone castles replaced wooden structures • 5. Feudalism was brought to England • 6. English lords were brought together under one powerful ruler (Might is right!) • 7. Peasants and serfs were protected by lords and knights, but there was a price to pay…..taxes! (Some one has to pay for a strong army and stone castles. Do you think life is just fun and games!) England was due for a change! She was weak, I made her strong!

  9. Hazzah!

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