Eleanor Janega On William The Conqueror

William the Conqueror's brutal Norman Conquest of England in 1066 was the most radical change the country had ever seen. This documentary explores how William, known as 'the Bastard', survived a murderous childhood to secure his rule over Normandy. We follow his meticulously planned invasion of England, culminating in the legendary Battle of Hastings, and examine the brutal methods he used to cement his power, from the construction of imposing castles like the Tower of London to the infamous 'Harrying of the North'. We also investigate the incredible historical records of the era: the stunning Bayeux Tapestry and the unprecedented Domesday Book.

With expert analysis from historians Matias Deliss, Marton Bastl, Mark Morris, and Jess Nelson, we uncover the story of a man driven by ambition and a people who reshaped a nation. From the battlefield to the bureaucracy, this is the definitive story of how the Normans, descended from Viking marauders, conquered England and laid the foundations for the country we know today, leaving a legacy in language, architecture, and society that endures nearly a thousand years later.

0:00 - Intro: William The Conqueror
1:57 - The Bastard's Violent Childhood
16:30 - The 1066 Invasion of England
27:25 - The Battle of Hastings & The Bayeux Tapestry
34:35 - Forging a Kingdom: Castles & Control
45:48 - The Domesday Book: Survey of a Conquered Kingdom

From Meet the Normans, Series 01, Episode 02

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