The Norman Conquests

Medieval Fact Sheet: Wars and Conquests

The Norman Conquests

-The Normans converted to Christianity after settling in Northern France

-They assimilated into the local population

-Feuds continued to occur in Normandy until Duke William rose to power

-William’s cousin died (the ruler of Normandy at that time), and although William believed he had a stronger connection to him, Earl Harold of Hessex took over Normandy

-William decided to build a fleet and recruit an army to overthrow Harold

-Harold knew of the invasion, and he ordered an army to defend him

-Vikings were going to attack York in Northeast England

-Harold had to take his army north, and fought the Vikings in the Battle of Stanford Bridge on September 25th, 1066

-Eventually, William and Harold’s forces met at the Battle of Hastings

-Harold was killed, along with all of his army

-The Normans killed all of the allied English soldiers as well

-William was crowned King William I of England, also known as William the Conqueror

-Harold’s poor strategy was drawing infantry into close formation, creating a defensive shield wall

-This wall had no impact on the Norman infantry, archers, and cavalry

-The most detailed description of the Battle of Hastings is portrayed in the Bayeux Tapestry

-It is considered one of the most important documents of 11th century history and art

-The tapestry depicts the Norman conquest of England, showing the death of Harold and the Battle of Hastings

-After the battle, William built castles to strengthen his hold over England

-William later conducted a huge survey to understand the value of his conquest in 1086

-The results were recorded in what is now called the “Doomsday Book”

-These records mad it possible for historians to reconstruct English society at that time

The Crusades

• The First Crusade took place in 1095 and was lunched by Pope Urban. He wanted to help the Byzantine emperor clear out all the Muslim Seljuk Turks out of Palestine(Today's Israel and Syria) But no kings joined his crusade.

• The Peasants Crusade was a group of peasants who were interested in Pope Urban's idea. But instead of only attacking the Holy Land, they attacked any jewish settlement they encountered. When they finally reached the Holy Land they were ambushed and killed by the Turks.

• Around 5000 lords, knights, priests, workers, and prostitutes sewed crosses on their clothing to mark themselves as crusaders. They captured Antioch, a city in Syria, and went to takeover Jerusalem in 1099. They set up three Crusader Kingdoms; the Principality of Antioch, the County of Tripoli, and the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

• In 1144, the second Crusade was led by Louis VII of France and Conrad III of Germany. These crusaders were killed in Turkey.

• In 1187, Jerusalemwas recaptured by Saladin, an Egyptian Arab warrior.

The Hundred Years War

• The date the hundred years first started was in 1337 with a dispute over who was the rightful king of France
• Technically the hundred year war stretched over a 116 year period.
• Interrupted by an outbreak of the plague, the war consisted mostly of sieges, raids, sea battles, a few land battles, and long periods of tense truce.
• The war owes its historical significance to a number of factors such as the introduction of new weapons and tactics
• At the outset of the war, which was fought entirely in France, the English forces quickly gained the upper hand.
• In the beginning of the war, which was fought in France the English quickly started winning important battles
• The war between England and France went on for years, long enough for Edward the thirds eldest son, nicknamed the Black prince to join his campaign.
• The war was interrupted by the Black Plague Death, but eventually continued.
• In 1420 the French king, Charles VI signed a treaty he could not avoid, making Henry the rightful leader of France, having the English with complete control of France.
• This would have gone on had it not been for Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc said she had heard voices from god and many saints saying she will drive the English out of France, which she eventually did.