Doctrine-Draft

Nine hundred fourty six years ago a battle raged raged that would change the course of history forever. On the 14th of October, 1066 Duke William of Normandy decided to bring the crown of England to his head. William was born, according to the Julian calendar 985 years ago in the year 1027. His birth was in Falaise, Basse-Normandie, France. William was descended from Viking raiders. He received the Duchy of Normandy under the name William II on July 3, 1035 CE. He would hold this position for the rest of his life. He faced the problems of illegitimacy, which became a difficulty when he succeeded his father. Anarchy also plagued his first years as duke and he put down a rebellion in 1047 CE. By the 1050s William was married to Matilda of Flanders and was able to appoint his own abbots and bishops to the Norman Church.

In the mid 11th century the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of England was ruled by the heir-less King Edward the Confessor. At this point there were two claimants to the throne. Harold Godwinson, a powerful Anglo-Saxon earl, and Duke William II of Normandy as he was known as at the time were contenders for the throne. On the death bed of King Edward the Confessor, in January 1066, Earl Harold Godwinson was named heir to the English throne. When William heard of this he argued that he was already promised the throne by the late king and that the Earl Godwinson promised support to William’s claim to the throne.

Harold Godwinson son of Earl Godwin of Wessex and Gytha Thorkelsdóttir, was born 990 years ago in the year 1022. Godwinson was crowned king of England in 1066 upon the death of King Edward the Confessor. Upon hearing Harold Godwinson was named King of England; William the Conqueror built up a large army comprised of Normans, Flemmings, Bretons, and Frenchmen to challenge Harold for the crown of England. William set sail across the English Channel to gain what he believed was rightfully his. King Harold Godwinson was one of only three English monarchs to have ever died in battle.

Between the towns of Battle and Hastings in East Sussex which are located in south-eastern England is Senlac Hill. Senlac Hill is where King Harold Godwinson fought the army of Duke William II of Normandy. The Norman Army made up of Norman troops, noble, mercenaries, and others from as far away as the south Italy. The Normans most important and deadliest part of its army was the cavalry. The cavalry was heavily armored. He also used infantry and archers. It is in this battle that history first records the use of a crossbow. The English Army was made up mostly of infantry. The standard weapon for the English army was a two handed Danish battle ax. Professional soldiers or housecarls made up the core of the English army. The English army formed a shield wall that was eventually broken by the Normans. Legend states that Harold Godwinson was killed by an arrow that shot through his eye. This is shown on the Bayeux Tapestry. Norman knights then chopped and mutilated the body.

The 11th Century manuscript known as "The Domesday Book" was completed in 1086. The book is really two different manuscripts, the Little Domesday and the Great Domesday. The point of the book was to determine who held what land and the liable taxes under Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor. The book was written in Latin what was written in the book was final. It helped William set up the government by telling him who owned and owed what, and the liable taxes from Edward the Confessor. A very large purpose of the book was for the king, to tell him when he needed to raise money.

King William I as he was called at this point faced multiples raids, rebellions and resistance throughout his time as monarch. He built many castles and began the White Tower. The White Tower is part of the Tower of London and construction began in 1066. Originally it was made of timber and the building was enclosed by a palisade. In the 1070s the stone that surrounds the tower today was built.

By about 1080 no more major rebellions were raised, and the military part of the Norman Conquest was completed. Duke Robert II of Normandy in 1079 rebelled against his father in 1079. Duke Robert was the first son of William and fought against his father in his little rebellion he began. The two then reconciled and fought against France in multiple campaigns from about the year 1080 onward to William's death.

1087 marked the end of the campaigns against France for William. He invaded the French Vexin in Northern France. In the September of that year William met his end. In Rouen, William died after sustaining fatal injuries after a riding accident. His remains were buried in Caen. William I married Matilda of Flanders in 1053 and had a total of seven children.

Even almost one thousand years later William is remembered. The Tower of London, one of his biggest achievments, and most importantly is the eternal mark he left on the British Isles.