While the Norman Conquest of England is the most famous event associated with the Normans, their influence extended far beyond the British Isles. Normans continued to rule Normandy and exerted influence across Europe. In Italy, for example, Normans played a crucial role in the expansion of the Kingdom of Sicily. In the 11th century, Norman merce
In 1066, following the death of the Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor, a dispute over the English throne erupted. Harold Godwinson, an Anglo-Saxon noble, was crowned king, but William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that Edward had promised him the throne. Additionally, William had the backing of the Pope, who granted him the title of "Protector of
The Normans, a group of people whose name derives from "Northmen" (or Norsemen), were originally Scandinavian settlers in the northern part of France, known as Normandy. Over time, they would rise to prominence as conquerors, transforming Europe through military campaigns, cultural assimilation, and the establishment of powerful dynasties. The most
Exiled and stripped of any real political power in Wessex, Æthelwold sought refuge in East Anglia, a kingdom in the eastern part of England that was then under Viking control. It was a strategic move that allowed Æthelwold to build alliances with the Viking rulers of the region, and in 933, he returned to England at the head of a force of Viking