William the Conqueror and Medieval England

Guglielmo il Conquistatore, also known as William the Conqueror, ruled from 1066 to 1087. He introduced the feudal system and built castles to defend the Norman conquest. French became the language of the nobility, while Latin remained the language of the church.

Highlight: Guglielmo il Conquistatore introduced the feudal system and Norman influence to England.

In 1086, William commissioned the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England's lands and resources. This document, published in 1836, provides invaluable historical information.

Henry II's reign saw conflict with the church, culminating in the murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral on December 28, 1170. Despite this, Henry II was a strong king who dominated much of France.

In 1215, King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta, limiting royal power after his oppressive reign and loss of French territories.

Definition: The Magna Carta was a charter of rights agreed to by King John, limiting royal power and establishing the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law.

The Hundred Years' War and Social Changes

The Guerra dei Cent'anni (Hundred Years' War) began in 1337, with England seeking to regain lost territories in France and claim the French throne. Notable English victories included:

• Crécy (1346)
• Poitiers (1356)
• Agincourt (1415)

Highlight: The Guerra dei Cent'anni lasted from 1337 to 1453, with significant battles at Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt.

However, fortunes changed when Joan of Arc led the French to victory. Over the following years, France regained its territories, leaving England with only the port of Calais.

The Black Death reached England in 1348, killing nearly half of the population. This pandemic led to significant social changes, including the Peasants' Revolt.

Example: The Black Death's impact on the labor force led to the decline of the feudal system, as lords were forced to pay free laborers.

The War of the Roses (1455-1485) was a civil war between the House of York (white rose symbol) and the House of Lancaster (red rose symbol). The conflict ended at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, where Henry Tudor defeated the last York king.

Highlight: The War of the Roses ended with Henry Tudor's victory, uniting the two families through marriage and establishing the Tudor dynasty.

Viking Raids and Anglo-Saxon Unification

In 793, Viking raids began with an attack on the monastery of Lindisfarne. The remaining monks fled to Kells in Ireland, where they created the famous Book of Kells.

Highlight: The Viking raids on Lindisfarne in 793 marked the beginning of the Viking Age in England.

Alfred the Great (871-900) united the Anglo-Saxon people against the Danes. His son continued his work, reconquering the Danelaw. King Edgar later recognized the multi-ethnic character of England.

In 1066, Harold defeated the Vikings but was then killed at the Battle of Hastings by William the Conqueror on October 14th. This marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of Norman control.

Definition: The Battle of Hastings (1066) was a pivotal moment in English history, marking the Norman Conquest of England.

During this period, the Venerable Bede made significant contributions by copying old manuscripts and writing new ones, including "An Ecclesiastical History of the English People" in Latin.