PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The Norsemen were Vikings from Northern Europe who forged regularly along the coastline of Frankish kingdoms. The Vikings were coming from Scandinavia mainly and returning with the plunders of their raids. In 911 AD, to reduce the raids and destruction, the Frankish King Charles offered a large amount of land in Northern France to a band of Vikings led by "Duke" Rollo. During this time of Rollo's reign in his land, the local term for Norseman slowly changed into Norman. At this time, most of Europe was under the feudal monarchy system. The government was led by a King who had lords that governed their own lands beneath him. The lords gave their land to nights who were masters of serfs on the property. The system had many parts that worked together to create a successful economy for the region.
In the 11th century, Duke William II of Normandy led many successful attacks to conquer England, and was later known as William the conquerer. The Normans were so affective in invading because of their devastating cavalry attacks, which out maneuvered the foot soldiers of the other side, much like Genghis Khan and the Mongols. The Normans also had a deadly arrow barrage from their rear army equipped with short bows.
At the battle of Haystings in 1066, William assembled an army of noblemen and adventurers from across Northern France to invade England, promising lands and titles in his new kingdom to his followers and obtaining the support of the Pope for the venture. A fleet of around 1,000 vessels, designed in the style of the old Norse “Dragon Ships" was built and assembled to convey the army across the English Channel. With the battle of Stamford Bridge just finishing, Harold Godwinsson's army was weak and outmatched, in skill as well as number of men. It was a long and savage battle, but eventually Harold was killed, and William came out victorious.
It was some time before Saxon England acknowledged William as king. William was forced to march to the West and cross the Thames before circling round from the North and capturing London, devastating the countryside as he marched. The Tower of London was the first of the castles William built to dominate England. William was finally crowned in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066 by the Saxon Archbishop, Aldred of York. Back in France Normandy, chaos broke because of their leader being over in England. A long dispute for power shook the empire. Between the Frankish-French and the Norman-French, there formed an unending fight for complete dominance.
