Norman History
The date of the Norman Invasion, 1066, is known to almost every British schoolchild. The Normans were the last successful invaders to establish themselves on mainland Britain and their influence on England, and on the western countries of Wales and Ireland (their activity in Scotland was limited) was enormous.
The Normans built castles and established a the feudal system headed by the king under whom the barons fought for precedence and those at the bottom fo the pile existed in virtual slavery. It was a period which saw civil war and the great military movements of the Crusades - ending only with the death of King John shortly after he had been forced to sign the Magna Carta, curbing the power of the Crown.
topic editor
Jennifer Young -
Jennifer Young is a published writer living in Edinburgh.