The Norman Conquest
The Norman Conquest in 1066 was not considered very big as far as troops go. There were about 8,000 however with that small amount, the Normans conquered one of the most established european monarchies. Up until this point it had been centuries of Anglo-saxon rulers. Duke William was set on getting the English throne. Harold Godwinsson was the main concern when arriving to conquer. Fortunately for Duke William, Godwinsson was away during the invasion. Not long after Godwinsson found that William and his troops had made an invasion he was killed in the Battle of Hastings. William's troops moved slowly towards London.
One of the day trips we made was to Dover. Dover was one of the first places the Norman army moved through in order to get to London. Dover had an incredible and also very large castle sitting above the English Channel along the White Cliffs. This was the first Norman castle which was built for William the conqueror. Dover castle has been through quite a bit including French invasions and French siege. There were also tunnels put on the grounds for the second world war. The grounds have been expanded throughout the years. This Norman castle has kept England safe on many occasions.
There were some in the beginning who would not recognize William's ruling but they soon realized this man couldn't be defeated. Just like majority of the other monarchs, William's coronation was held in Westminster Abbey. The Abbey was another place we were fortunate enough to visit while in London. Westminster Abbey had displays of the monarchs in which had been crowned there. We were able to see the coronation chair. There was a bit of a misunderstanding during his coronation. The men guarding the Abbey thought the noise from inside the church was someone trying to kill the new king of England. Riots broke out and houses were being set on fire.
The end of our second week in London, the group went to the Tower of London which also has Norman history. We spent a few hours here and were able to see the White Tower which William the Conqueror had built. The White tower was the tallest buildings at the time. The tower had a spiral staircase to get into it. There is armor and model horses on display in the white tower to illustrate what was used throughout the history of the castle. There is also a small chapel in the tower. The White tower is the keep which means the securest and strongest part of the castle.
One of the day trips we made was to Dover. Dover was one of the first places the Norman army moved through in order to get to London. Dover had an incredible and also very large castle sitting above the English Channel along the White Cliffs. This was the first Norman castle which was built for William the conqueror. Dover castle has been through quite a bit including French invasions and French siege. There were also tunnels put on the grounds for the second world war. The grounds have been expanded throughout the years. This Norman castle has kept England safe on many occasions.
There were some in the beginning who would not recognize William's ruling but they soon realized this man couldn't be defeated. Just like majority of the other monarchs, William's coronation was held in Westminster Abbey. The Abbey was another place we were fortunate enough to visit while in London. Westminster Abbey had displays of the monarchs in which had been crowned there. We were able to see the coronation chair. There was a bit of a misunderstanding during his coronation. The men guarding the Abbey thought the noise from inside the church was someone trying to kill the new king of England. Riots broke out and houses were being set on fire.
The end of our second week in London, the group went to the Tower of London which also has Norman history. We spent a few hours here and were able to see the White Tower which William the Conqueror had built. The White tower was the tallest buildings at the time. The tower had a spiral staircase to get into it. There is armor and model horses on display in the white tower to illustrate what was used throughout the history of the castle. There is also a small chapel in the tower. The White tower is the keep which means the securest and strongest part of the castle.