The Norman Invasion of England
The Norman invasion of England in 1066 is described through the images of the Bayeux Tapestry. The following pages introduce you to the main claimants to the throne and the battles that followed.
The Story behind the Invasion
King Edward lll of England (called "The Confessor" because he built Westminster Abbey) died on January 5, 1066, after a reign of 23 years. Leaving no heirs, Edward's passing ignited a three-way rivalry for the crown that culminated in the Battle of Hastings and the destruction of the Anglo-Saxon rule of England.
Who should be the next King?
Saxon England didn't have any firm rules about who should be King. Basically, when a king died, the crown passed to whoever could:
a) show that they had some sort of blood claim, and
b) grab the throne before anyone else got it.