1. The Birth of England

2. I. England in Early Middle Ages (approx. 1000 AD)
Collection of small regions
Sometimes ruled by a king, sometimes not
Did not have feudalism
Partially conquered by Vikings for about 200 years

3. II. William the Conqueror
Came from Normandy in France (people he led were Normans)
When English king died without a son, William decided to invade England & try to become king
Some of English nobles chose an Anglo-Saxon noble named Harold to be next king

4. Cont. Result: William & Harold had to fight each other
Battle of Hastings (*1066*): William and Normans invaded England to face Harold & English
Story of battle is told on a piece of woven artwork know as the Bayeaux Tapestry

5. III. The Birth of England
Harold
England
William
Normandy
France

6. The Battle of Hastings

8. Harold takes an arrow to the eye!

9. William becomes King William I of England

10. IV. King William I Introduced feudalism to England
Brought almost all of England under his control  why 1066 is considered the “Birth of England”

11. Cont. Punished men who fought for Harold (mostly English)
Gave French positions in his gov’t
Introduced French language to England (this is why approx. ¼ of English words have French roots.)

12. Cont. Made 1/5 of England his personal property
King was now most powerful man in England
Decided to take survey of all wealth of England  people had to tell how much property they owned

13. Cont. Information written in Domesday Book: England’s total wealth
= $100,000