The Norman Invasion

1066 was a dramatic year in English history. Within 12 months, England had three different kings, had invasions from Norway and Normandy and suffered two major battles between leaders claiming their rights to the English throne.

During the period 1067–1077, a group of Saxon women embroidered a pictorial representation of these events on a piece of linen cloth about 50 centimetres wide and 70 metres long. This important historical source is called the Bayeux Tapestry (see Source 2). Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, half-brother of the victor, commissioned the tapestry. It is now on permanent exhibition at the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in France.

In 1066, the Vikings, ruled by King Harald Hardrada of Norway, and the Normans, ruled by William of Normandy, who was of Viking descent, were the two most powerful groups in north-western Europe. Both wanted to also rule England.

England was ruled by the Anglo-Saxon king, Edward the Confessor. He had seized the throne in 1042

after the Vikings had ruled there for 26 years.

Within England, Harold Godwinson, a Saxon lord who already controlled a large area of land in southern

England, wanted to extend his power and territory.

When Edward died in January 1066, Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardrada and William of Normandy all

claimed the right to replace him as king. Edgar, the 14-year-old son of Edward’s nephew, was another

contender.

Edgar was Edward’s closest living relative. The outcome was finally decided at a place later named Battle, near Hastings in south-east England.