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* The death of Edward the Confessor: In 1066, King Edward the Confessor died without any legitimate heirs. This led to a civil war between several different English noblemen who were vying for the throne.
* The claim of William the Conqueror: William, the Duke of Normandy, claimed the English throne based on his relationship with Edward the Confessor. He argued that Edward had promised him the throne, and that Harold Godwinson, the English nobleman who was eventually elected king, was a usurper.
* The support of Norman barons: William the Conqueror was able to raise an army of Norman knights and warriors to support his claim to the English throne. These barons were eager to acquire land and wealth in England, and they saw the invasion as an opportunity to expand their power.
Ultimately, the Norman army defeated the English army at the Battle of Hastings in October 1066. William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066, and he began to establish Norman rule over the country. The invasion of England by the Normans had a profound impact on English history, including:
* The introduction of feudalism: The Normans introduced feudalism, a political and economic system based on land tenure, to England. Feudalism created a hierarchical society in which the king granted land to his barons in exchange for their military service.
* The development of the English language: The Normans spoke French, and their language influenced the development of the English language. Over time, English absorbed many French words, and the English language today is a mixture of Germanic and Romance influences.
* The growth of the common law: The Normans introduced a new system of law, the common law, to England. The common law was based on precedents, or past court decisions, rather than on written codes of law. The common law system is still used in many English-speaking countries today.