Illustration
This map illustrates the origins and course of the Norman conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy (reigned 1066–1087), a campaign that would permanently transform English politics, society, and identity. Sparked by the death of Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042–1066) in January 1066—who died without an heir—the struggle for the English crown led to one of the most significant and successful invasions in European history.
William’s claim to the throne set in motion a rapid and brutal campaign that culminated in the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, where Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king, was killed. In the months that followed, William secured control of England, replacing much of the native Anglo-Saxon aristocracy with Norman nobles. The conquest marked the end of Scandinavian influence in England and tied the island more firmly to Western Europe, laying the foundations for one of the most centralized monarchies of the medieval period. The introduction of Norman French language, customs, and feudal structures reshaped English governance and culture, while the conquest itself laid the groundwork for centuries of Anglo-French rivalry—a tension that would echo from the Hundred Years’ War to the Napoleonic era.
About the Author
Related Images
Map of William the Conqueror's March on London 1066
Map of the World in the 14th Century
Map of the Battle of Britain, 1940
Map of Anglo-Saxon London
Anglo-Saxon Map of the World
Battle of Guilford Court House, Battle Map
Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2019, January 17). Map of the Norman Conquest of Britain, 1066 - 1086. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9862/map-of-the-norman-conquest-of-britain-1066---1086/
Chicago Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Norman Conquest of Britain, 1066 - 1086." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified January 17, 2019. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9862/map-of-the-norman-conquest-of-britain-1066---1086/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Norman Conquest of Britain, 1066 - 1086." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 17 Jan 2019, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/9862/map-of-the-norman-conquest-of-britain-1066---1086/. Web. 20 Jun 2025.
