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0
Sapphire
10/12/2025
History
The normans
264
•
10 Dec 2025
•
The Normans: Conquest and Legacy
Sapphire
@sapphirerere
1 / 5
Key Players in the Drama
Medieval history was basically a soap opera starring a handful of incredibly powerful people. Most of our evidence about Norman England comes from sources that focus on just a few major characters.
The Bayeux Tapestry is like a medieval comic strip showing all the main players: Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwinson, William the Conqueror, Bishop Odo, and Archbishop Stigand. Think of it as the ultimate historical Instagram story!
Other crucial figures pop up in medieval chronicles - these are historical accounts written by monks and scholars. People like Earls Edwin and Morcar, the Viking Harald Hardrada, and William's mate William Fitzosbern all played massive roles in shaping what happened.
Study Smart: The Bayeux Tapestry isn't actually a tapestry - it's an embroidered cloth that's nearly 70 metres long!
Securing Norman Rule
Between 1068 and 1070, William faced his biggest test yet - massive rebellions that nearly drove the Normans out of England completely. The northern rebellions were so serious that William's response, the 'Harrying of the North', was shockingly brutal even by medieval standards.
Once William crushed these rebellions, he launched Normanisation - basically making England Norman from top to bottom. French became the language of government, and by 1075, nearly all major landowners were Norman rather than English.
The Domesday Book of 1086 recorded just how dramatically land ownership had changed since 1066. This massive survey was the most comprehensive public record in Europe at the time, showing how thoroughly the Normans had taken control of English society.
Exam Essential: The Domesday Book is brilliant evidence of how completely Norman conquest transformed English society.
Building Norman Power
The Normans were absolutely brilliant architects who transformed England's landscape forever. They brought the Romanesque style to England and built hundreds of castles, abbeys, and cathedrals during William's reign and that of his son William Rufus.
These weren't just pretty buildings - they sent a clear message that the Normans were here to stay. The feudal system relied heavily on these impressive structures to show who was in charge.
Feudalism worked like a pyramid with God at the top, then the king (who got his authority from God), followed by lords, and finally ordinary people at the bottom. The king owned all the land but gave chunks to the Church and loyal supporters in exchange for taxes and military service. Castles reminded everyone of their place in this hierarchy and their duties to their lord.
Key Point: Norman architecture wasn't just about showing off - it was a tool of political control.
The Conquest Begins
Ever wondered how one battle changed England's entire future? The Norman Conquest started with a massive argument over who should be king after Edward the Confessor died in 1066.
Harold Godwinson might have been crowned king, but he had serious problems. Many people saw him as a usurper (someone who stole the throne) because he'd broken a sacred oath to William of Normandy back in 1064. Harold had actually promised to support William's claim to the English throne!
The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was absolutely brutal - Harold died along with nearly all the English nobility. But here's the thing: William's victory was just the beginning, not the end. He still had to deal with angry northern earls, Welsh princes, and Danish invaders who all fancied their chances at the English crown.
Quick Tip: Remember the three C's of Norman success: Conquest, Consolidation, and Construction!
The Year That Changed Everything
1066 was mental - three different blokes all reckoned they deserved to be King of England. When Edward the Confessor died in January, it kicked off the biggest power struggle in English history.
William of Normandy insisted he was the rightful heir, but so did Harold Godwinson and the Viking Harald Hardrada. After three massive battles, Duke William emerged victorious and became King William I.
But winning the crown was only half the battle. William spent years fighting off English rebels, plus Welsh and Danish armies who kept trying their luck. He used a mixture of absolutely brutal suppression and clever changes to the Church and legal system to gradually tighten Norman control.
Remember This: 1066 marked the beginning, not the end, of the Norman conquest - it took years to fully control England.
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Most popular content: The Normans
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The Normans: Conquest and Legacy
Sapphire
@sapphirerere
The Norman Conquest of 1066 wasn't just about one famous battle - it completely transformed England forever. Understanding how William the Conqueror and his Norman followers took control, kept power, and reshaped English society will help you grasp one of... Show more
Key Players in the Drama
Medieval history was basically a soap opera starring a handful of incredibly powerful people. Most of our evidence about Norman England comes from sources that focus on just a few major characters.
The Bayeux Tapestry is like a medieval comic strip showing all the main players: Edward the Confessor, Harold Godwinson, William the Conqueror, Bishop Odo, and Archbishop Stigand. Think of it as the ultimate historical Instagram story!
Other crucial figures pop up in medieval chronicles - these are historical accounts written by monks and scholars. People like Earls Edwin and Morcar, the Viking Harald Hardrada, and William's mate William Fitzosbern all played massive roles in shaping what happened.
Study Smart: The Bayeux Tapestry isn't actually a tapestry - it's an embroidered cloth that's nearly 70 metres long!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Securing Norman Rule
Between 1068 and 1070, William faced his biggest test yet - massive rebellions that nearly drove the Normans out of England completely. The northern rebellions were so serious that William's response, the 'Harrying of the North', was shockingly brutal even by medieval standards.
Once William crushed these rebellions, he launched Normanisation - basically making England Norman from top to bottom. French became the language of government, and by 1075, nearly all major landowners were Norman rather than English.
The Domesday Book of 1086 recorded just how dramatically land ownership had changed since 1066. This massive survey was the most comprehensive public record in Europe at the time, showing how thoroughly the Normans had taken control of English society.
Exam Essential: The Domesday Book is brilliant evidence of how completely Norman conquest transformed English society.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Building Norman Power
The Normans were absolutely brilliant architects who transformed England's landscape forever. They brought the Romanesque style to England and built hundreds of castles, abbeys, and cathedrals during William's reign and that of his son William Rufus.
These weren't just pretty buildings - they sent a clear message that the Normans were here to stay. The feudal system relied heavily on these impressive structures to show who was in charge.
Feudalism worked like a pyramid with God at the top, then the king (who got his authority from God), followed by lords, and finally ordinary people at the bottom. The king owned all the land but gave chunks to the Church and loyal supporters in exchange for taxes and military service. Castles reminded everyone of their place in this hierarchy and their duties to their lord.
Key Point: Norman architecture wasn't just about showing off - it was a tool of political control.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Conquest Begins
Ever wondered how one battle changed England's entire future? The Norman Conquest started with a massive argument over who should be king after Edward the Confessor died in 1066.
Harold Godwinson might have been crowned king, but he had serious problems. Many people saw him as a usurper (someone who stole the throne) because he'd broken a sacred oath to William of Normandy back in 1064. Harold had actually promised to support William's claim to the English throne!
The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was absolutely brutal - Harold died along with nearly all the English nobility. But here's the thing: William's victory was just the beginning, not the end. He still had to deal with angry northern earls, Welsh princes, and Danish invaders who all fancied their chances at the English crown.
Quick Tip: Remember the three C's of Norman success: Conquest, Consolidation, and Construction!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
The Year That Changed Everything
1066 was mental - three different blokes all reckoned they deserved to be King of England. When Edward the Confessor died in January, it kicked off the biggest power struggle in English history.
William of Normandy insisted he was the rightful heir, but so did Harold Godwinson and the Viking Harald Hardrada. After three massive battles, Duke William emerged victorious and became King William I.
But winning the crown was only half the battle. William spent years fighting off English rebels, plus Welsh and Danish armies who kept trying their luck. He used a mixture of absolutely brutal suppression and clever changes to the Church and legal system to gradually tighten Norman control.
Remember This: 1066 marked the beginning, not the end, of the Norman conquest - it took years to fully control England.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user