1066

In 1066, a pivotal year in English history, the Norman Conquest occurred. After the death of King Edward the Confessor, a succession crisis led to battles for the throne. William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, claimed the crown and invaded England. His forces defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. This event transformed England's culture, language, and governance, as Norman feudalism replaced Anglo-Saxon systems. The Domesday Book was later created to assess land and resources. The year 1066 signifies a major shift in English history, laying the foundation for the modern British state.