Define the Following Terms: Norman Conquest

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The Answer is The Norman Conquest refers to the invasion and subsequent occupation of England by an army led by Duke William II of Normandy, later known as William the Conqueror. This pivotal event in English history took place in the 11th century.

The conquest began with the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066, where the Norman forces defeated the English army led by King Harold II, who was killed in the battle. Following this victory, William marched to London and was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066.

The Norman Conquest had profound effects on the country, leading to significant changes in the English culture, language, governance, and aristocracy. It replaced the Anglo-Saxon elite with Norman rulers, which brought about the feudal system more firmly into England. The conquest also led to the construction of numerous castles, the establishment of the powerful Roman Catholic Church, and the fusion of the Anglo-Saxon and Norman languages, which eventually evolved into the modern English language.

The conquest is a milestone in English history as it linked England more closely with Continental Europe, lessened Scandinavian influence, and laid the groundwork for the centralized English monarchy that would develop in the ensuing centuries.

Define the Following Terms: Norman Conquest

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