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| EDITORIAL WORK IN PROGESS 11th Century – Norman Conquest (1066) Early 11th century England was a battleground.
English king Æthelred was conquered first by Danish king Forkbeard in 1013, who died 40 days later, then again by his son Cnut in 1015. Cnut married Æthelred’s widow, Emma of Normandy, and ruled for 20 years, eventually leaving the kingdom to Emma’s son by Æthelred, Edward ‘The Confessor’. Edward also ruled for 20 years, but died without an heir, leaving William of Normandy angry that Harold Godwinson got the crown…
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| The mess before the Norman conquest
Although the Vikings were driven out of England in 937, they continue to attack, especially from 997. King Æthelred ‘the unready’ responds with an outrageous order to kill of all Danes (Vikings) living in England. In revenge, Danish king Sweyn Forkbeard invades England, but doesn’t stay. Invading again in 1013, Sweyn Forkbeard defeats Æthelred, and crowns himself king of England. Æthelred flees to Normandy, but the English barons invite him back after the sudden death of Forkbeard just 40 days later. Æthelred drives Forkbeard’s son, Cnut, out of England, and massacres ‘Danelaw’ areas that supported Cnut. Embittered Danelaw revolts, led by Æthelred’s own son, Edmond Ironside, against both Æthelred and Cnut. Cnut invades again and conquers most of England (1015). Edmond returns to Æthelred to defend London, but Æthelred dies. Edmund defeated, but Cnut gives him Wessex. Edmund also dies (1016), leaving Cnut as king of all England, and Denmark (1018). Cnut marries Æthelred’s widow, Emma of Normandy. Cnut rules Denmark and England for 20 years. |
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The Norman Conquest When Cnut died, the English throne passed between his rival sons Harold ‘Harefoot’, Harthacnut and then stepson Edward ‘the Confessor’, who ruled for 20 years. When 'The Confessor' died without an heir in 1066, three heirs apparent lined up against each other: Harold Godwinson, already crowned by the barons; Harthacnut’s son, Harald Hardrada, king of powerful Denmark, and William duke of Normandy. Harold successfully fought off Hardrada at Stamford Bridge, but his tired army could not hold off William’s invading army at Hastings. William the Conqueror, King of England William’s Feudal system: King confiscated all estates from defeated lords and gave them to his favourites to hold ‘from the king’ in return for military service. Estates frequently revolted, resulting in more confiscations, and unprecedented castle construction. Normans didn’t stay in their newly conquered land, but lived 75% of their time in Normandy. Many Saxons left England, for Scotland, Ireland or to become mercenaries for Byzantium, including a fleet of 235 ships in 1070. |
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