The breaking point

The great migration period
400-600 years AD
The migration of north Germanic and Danish tribes, called Saxons, Angles and Jutes, across the North sea to the South and East England
British territory, settled by Celtic, Jutes, Saxon and English tribes.

Anglo-Saxon culture
Anglo-Saxon jewelry.
Replica helmet from Sutton Hoo
8th century cross at Eyam
We can see that the Anglo-Saxon culture was rich, it includes not only German traditions, but also traditions of Romans, Celts and Britons.

Normans
Viking and Norman warriors
Of course, in the 11-th century Normans brought into England their traditions and, in addition, they changed English language by using French!
Normans – French-speaking descendants of Vikings, who lived in Normandy (North France) and who kept traditions of these great warriors.

The great leaders
Harold II Godvinson (1022 – 14 October 1066)
The last Anglo-Saxon king of England. Harold reigned from 6 January 1066 until his death from a simple arrow at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October of that same year, fighting the Norman invaders led by William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England. Harold is one of only three Kings of England to have died in warfare, alongside Richard the Lionheart and Richard III.
William I “The conqueror” (1027-1087) – the duke of Normandy. He became the king of England after his great victory at Hastings.
Established a direct vassal of the feudal lords of the king, held a census of his subjects.
English witenagemot (the head of English government) chosen William to rule the England after death of previously king Eduard.
But Harold wanted to rule England too… Then, William started his great English war campaign.
There isn’t any historical right portret of Harold Godvinson

The battle of Hastings
“Veni Vidi Vici”
The battle tactics
Three strike lines of Normans against
the legendary Saxon “Shield wall”

“The slaughter”
Harold’s death
Fight between Norman knight and two Anglo-Saxon pike men (fyrd members)
Housecarl (the king Harold’s guard)
These warriors were armed with Danish
axes.

The new king
(and his politics)
The tower of London
Old English school
An old map of Anglo-Saxon shires