The War that Changed the English Language - Mini-Wars #3

OverSimplified
24 May 201812:43

Summary

TLDRThis humorous historical overview explores the chaotic succession of the English throne in the 11th century. From Viking raids to the complex power plays of the Normans, the script details the struggles between William the Conqueror, Harold Godwinson, and the Viking King Harald Hardrada. It culminates in the Battle of Hastings, where William's victory reshaped England's language, culture, and political landscape, illustrating the profound impact of the Norman conquest on the English identity.

Takeaways

  • ๐Ÿ“š Skillshare is an online learning platform offering over 17,000 classes on a wide range of subjects.
  • ๐Ÿฐ The Middle Ages in England were marked by Viking raids and invasions, which significantly influenced the region's history.
  • ๐Ÿ‘‘ The Vikings established the Duchy of Normandy after being granted land in northern France by the King of the Franks.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ England faced a power struggle for the throne, with various parties having claims, including the Normans and the Vikings.
  • ๐Ÿ‘ถ Edward the Confessor's lack of an heir led to a succession crisis, with multiple contenders vying for the English throne.
  • ๐Ÿคด William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, believed he was the rightful heir to the English throne due to promises made by Edward.
  • ๐Ÿฐ The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a pivotal moment where Harold Godwinson's English forces faced William's Norman army.
  • ๐Ÿน Harold Godwinson was killed in battle, likely by an arrow, leading to William's victory and the beginning of the Norman Conquest.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ William's reign involved quelling rebellions and enforcing his rule through force, including burning villages to assert dominance.
  • ๐ŸŒ The Normans' influence on England extended to language, with French and Old English merging to form the basis of modern English.
  • ๐ŸŽจ Skillshare provides opportunities to learn various skills, including design, animation, and coding, which can be useful for creative projects.

Q & A

  • What was the significance of the Duchy of Normandy in the context of the Middle Ages?

    -The Duchy of Normandy was significant as it was established by Vikings who were granted land in northern France by the King of the Franks. In return, they were to protect the region from other Viking raids. This marked a transition for the Vikings who began to assimilate into French culture by converting to Christianity, learning the French language, and intermarrying with the locals.

  • What role did England play in the Viking raids during the Middle Ages?

    -England experienced significant Viking raids and invasions during the Middle Ages. Danish Vikings conquered most of the country in the 800s, but the Anglo-Saxons eventually managed to expel them, although some Viking settlers remained. The Anglo-Saxons also had to deal with the threat of the Viking settlers banding together and potentially overthrowing the king, leading to a series of conflicts and power struggles.

  • Who was William the Bastard, and why was he called so?

    -William the Bastard, also known as William the Conqueror, was the Duke of Normandy. He was called 'the Bastard' because he was born out of wedlock, as his father had an affair with a tanner's daughter. Despite his illegitimate birth, he became the Duke at a young age and was known for his resilience and military prowess.

  • Why did the King of the Franks offer land to the Vikings, and what was the outcome of this agreement?

    -The King of the Franks offered land to the Vikings in northern France as a strategic move to protect his kingdom from other Viking raids. The Vikings agreed, established the Duchy of Normandy, and assimilated into French society, thus creating a buffer zone against further Viking incursions.

  • What was the situation in England when Edward was called back to become King?

    -When Edward was called back to England to become King, the country had gone through a series of Viking invasions and reconquests. The throne was unstable, and Edward had to navigate a complex political landscape, including dealing with powerful figures like the Earl of Wessex and managing the threat of Viking settlers.

  • How did Harold Godwinson become King after Edward's death?

    -Harold Godwinson became King following Edward's death through a quick and somewhat controversial process. Edward allegedly named Harold as his successor, and Harold had himself crowned on the same day as Edward's burial, bypassing the usual lengthy coronation preparations.

  • What was the significance of the Battle of Hastings in 1066?

    -The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a pivotal moment in English history. It marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of the Norman conquest of England. William the Conqueror defeated the English army led by Harold Godwinson, leading to significant cultural, political, and linguistic changes in England.

  • How did the Normans' arrival in England impact the English language?

    -The arrival of the Normans had a profound impact on the English language. The Normans brought their French dialect, which merged with Old English. This led to a distinction where words related to power and refinement often have Norman origins, while more common or crude words are of Anglo-Saxon origin. This linguistic influence is still evident in the English language today.

  • What was the Pope's role in the Norman Conquest of England?

    -The Pope played a significant role in the Norman Conquest by giving his blessing to William the Conqueror's invasion of England. This papal support was based on the claim that Harold Godwinson had usurped the throne after making an oath to William, thus providing a religious justification for William's conquest.

  • How did William the Conqueror solidify his rule over England after the Battle of Hastings?

    -After the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror had to undertake a campaign to quell rebellions and force the English nobility and populace into submission. This involved replacing English nobles with Normans, constructing castles and cathedrals, and enforcing his authority through military might and the consolidation of power.

Outlines

00:00

๐Ÿฐ The Formation of the Duchy of Normandy and Viking Influence

This paragraph sets the stage for the historical backdrop of the Middle Ages in England, focusing on the Viking raids and their impact on the region. It describes the establishment of the Duchy of Normandy after the Vikings were granted land in northern France by the King of the Franks in exchange for protection. The Vikings' assimilation into French culture through conversion to Christianity and intermarriage with the locals is highlighted. The paragraph also touches on the Viking presence in England, the struggle between the Anglo-Saxons and the Danish Vikings, and the political intrigue involving Edward the Confessor, his family, and the Earl of Wessex, Godwin.

05:00

๐Ÿ‘‘ The Struggle for the English Throne Amidst Viking and Norman Ambitions

This section delves into the complex power dynamics following the death of King Edward the Confessor, who left no clear heir. It details the claims to the throne by Harold Godwinson, the brother-in-law of Edward, and William the Bastard, the Duke of Normandy, who believed he had been promised the throne by Edward. The narrative also introduces Harald Hardrada, the King of Norway, who also had claims due to an old agreement. The paragraph describes the rush to secure the throne, with Harold hastily crowning himself king and William preparing for an invasion to claim his perceived right to rule. It also sets the stage for the Battle of Hastings, with William seeking the Pope's blessing to legitimize his conquest.

10:01

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ The Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest of England

This paragraph recounts the Battle of Hastings, a pivotal moment in English history where Harold Godwinson's forces faced William the Conqueror's invading army. It describes the strategic advantages of the Normans, including their archers and cavalry, and the English defense with their shield wall. The battle's turning point is depicted as a feigned retreat by the Normans, leading to the English breaking their formation and being outflanked. The paragraph concludes with Harold's death, likely by an arrow, and William's victory, which led to his coronation as king. It also touches on the subsequent challenges William faced in consolidating his rule, including rebellions and the cultural and linguistic changes that occurred under Norman rule.

๐Ÿ“š The Impact of the Norman Conquest on English Language and Culture

The final paragraph explores the profound effects of the Norman Conquest on the English language and culture. It explains how the Norman French dialect merged with Old English, leading to a linguistic blend that persists today. The paragraph illustrates the social stratification reflected in language, with Norman words associated with power and refinement, and Anglo-Saxon words linked to common trades and animals. It also humorously notes the phonetic and spelling changes introduced by the Normans, such as the swapping of 'W' and 'H' and the transformation of the long 'A' vowel sound. The paragraph concludes with a transition to a promotional message about Skillshare, an online learning platform offering a wide range of classes, and an invitation for viewers to enhance their skills with a special offer.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กSkillshare

Skillshare is an online learning community offering a wide range of classes on various subjects. It is mentioned in the script as the sponsor of the video, and the promotion offers two months of free access to its educational resources. The term is used to highlight the platform's extensive course offerings and to encourage viewers to take advantage of the free trial.

๐Ÿ’กMiddle Ages

The Middle Ages refers to the period in European history spanning from the 5th to the 15th century. In the script, it sets the historical context for the events described, particularly focusing on England during a time of Viking raids and political instability.

๐Ÿ’กVikings

Vikings were seafaring people from the late eighth to early 11th century, known for their raids and settlements. The script uses the term to describe the Norse warriors who raided and eventually settled in parts of Europe, including England and France, significantly impacting the political landscape of the time.

๐Ÿ’กDuchy of Normandy

The Duchy of Normandy was a fiefdom in what is now modern-day France, established by Viking settlers. In the script, it is mentioned as a result of a deal between the Vikings and the King of the Franks, where the Vikings were given land in exchange for protection against other Viking raiders.

๐Ÿ’กAnglo-Saxons

Anglo-Saxons were a group of Germanic peoples who inhabited England during the early medieval period. The script refers to their struggle against Viking invaders, their eventual expulsion of the Danes, and the subsequent political turmoil that ensued in England.

๐Ÿ’กHarold Godwinson

Harold Godwinson was the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, mentioned in the script as a significant figure who became King Edward's brother-in-law and a powerful earl. His rush to the throne after Edward's death and his subsequent crowning set the stage for the Battle of Hastings.

๐Ÿ’กWilliam the Bastard

William the Bastard, also known as William the Conqueror, was the Duke of Normandy and the eventual conqueror of England. The script uses this term to describe him, highlighting his illegitimate birth and his claim to the English throne, which led to the famous Battle of Hastings.

๐Ÿ’กBattle of Hastings

The Battle of Hastings was a pivotal battle in 1066, where William the Conqueror defeated King Harold II of England. The script describes the battle as a decisive event that marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and the beginning of the Norman Conquest of England.

๐Ÿ’กNorman Conquest

The Norman Conquest refers to the invasion and occupation of England by the Normans in 1066, led by William the Conqueror. The script details the aftermath of this conquest, including the cultural and linguistic changes that occurred as a result of the Norman rule.

๐Ÿ’กOld English

Old English is the earliest form of the English language, spoken from the mid-5th to the late 12th century. The script mentions it in the context of the linguistic changes that took place after the Norman Conquest, where Old English merged with the French language brought by the Normans.

๐Ÿ’กBerserker

A berserker is a warrior known for fighting in a trance-like state, often associated with Norse warriors. The script uses the term in a legendary account of a Viking who single-handedly defended a bridge during a battle, illustrating the fierceness of Viking warriors.

Highlights

Skillshare, an online learning community offering over 17,000 classes, sponsored the video and offers a two-month free trial.

The Middle Ages in England was a tumultuous period marked by Viking raids and the establishment of the Duchy of Normandy.

Vikings in Normandy assimilated into French culture by converting to Christianity and intermarrying with locals.

Danish Vikings had conquered most of England in the 800s, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

The English monarchy faced succession crises and power struggles, including the contentious rule of Edward the Confessor.

Harold Godwinson, a powerful earl and brother-in-law to King Edward, played a significant role in the politics of the time.

The death of Edward the Confessor without an heir led to a power vacuum and multiple claimants to the English throne.

William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, believed he was the rightful heir to the English throne due to promises made by Edward.

Harold Godwinson's hasty coronation following Edward's death sparked conflict with William and other claimants.

King Harald Hardrada of Norway, a seasoned warrior, also claimed the English throne based on historical agreements.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge marked the end of the Viking era in England with the defeat and death of Hardrada.

William the Conqueror's invasion and victory at the Battle of Hastings solidified his claim to the English throne.

The Norman conquest led to significant cultural and linguistic changes in England, including the blending of Old English and French.

Norman French influenced English vocabulary, particularly in areas of power, refinement, and skilled trades.

The linguistic impact of the Normans is still evident in modern English, with distinctions between Anglo-Saxon and Norman terms.

William the Conqueror's illiteracy is contrasted with the rich linguistic legacy he left behind.

Skillshare's wide range of classes, including design and coding, enables learners to develop diverse skillsets.

Transcripts

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England in the Middle Ages.

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The sun is shining,

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the birds are singing,

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the children are playing in the village square.

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'What a wonderful time to be alive!'

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'Hey, you're dying of dysentery.

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And also we're being raided by Vikings.'

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'What an awful time to be alive!'

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It's the year 900.

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Europe is a Viking's wet dream.

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Raids galore.

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'Hey, you wanna go raid Paris?'

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'Okay.'

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That particular raid didn't go too well,

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but the King of the Franks said, 'You guys are pretty tough and scary.

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How about we give you land in northern France,

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and in return,

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you protect us from other Vikings.'

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And it was agreed.

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The Vikings set up the Duchy of Normandy,

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and then they went full-on French,

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converting to Christianity,

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learning the language,

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and making babies with the locals.

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England also had its fair share of Viking problems.

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In the 800s

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Danish Vikings had conquered most of the country,

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but the Anglo-Saxons eventually managed to kick them out.

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Although they left behind a bunch of Viking settlers.

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Now this guy is King.

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'He sucks. Replace him with his brother.'

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And he was like, 'Hey baby, how you doin'?'

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and had a son, and then turned around and was like,

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'Hey baby, how you doin'?'

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and had another son.

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And then he died, and no one was sure which son to make King.

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'This one, 'cause he's older.'

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'Not if I have anything to do with it.'

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'That works for us too.'

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Then he grew up and married the Duke of Normandy's daughter,

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and had a bunch of kids.

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Remember this one.

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He's important.

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Then his advisors came to him and said,

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'Hey man.

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All those Viking settlers that are living here...

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they might band together.

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And kill you.'

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'Well then why don't we kill them first?'

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And so it was.

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This pissed off the Danish King, who launched an invasion

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and the Vikings conquered England once again.

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Then the Anglo-Saxons un-conquered it.

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Then the Vikings re-conquered it.

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The King's family had to go into exile,

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including Edward.

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Remember him?

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He went to Normandy, where he lived for thirty years.

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He and his brother Alfred tried to return to England to retake the throne from the Vikings,

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but they were betrayed by the Earl of Wessex who said,

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'Hey friend. I'll take you to London where all the nobles are waiting to make you King -

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Oh no, look out, red-hot poker in the eyes!'

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'I can't see!'

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'And thus you can't be King.'

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Edward then escaped back to Normandy.

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After a few more Viking Kings came and went,

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one finally died without an heir,

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and Edward was called back to England where he became King.

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And that's where our story begins.

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Here's the thing about becoming a King in the Middle Ages.

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Often your entire country won't support you at first,

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you can be vulnerable to rebellions,

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and it's up to you to take control.

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Fortunately for Edward,

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there was already a super powerful guy who had a lot of control over England.

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And if Edward could get his support,

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then England would be his.

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'Who is this guy?

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Aw piss, it's the guy who gave my brother the red-hot poker in the eyes.'

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After an awkward moment when Edward exiled Godwin from the country,

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he eventually had to give in and let him keep his Earldom.

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Possibly after Godwin gave him a bunch of gold and said he was very, very sorry.

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King Edward also married Godwin's daughter.

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Then Godwin died,

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and his massive fortune was passed down to his sons,

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who all became Earls.

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In particular,

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this one became the new Earl of Wessex.

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Harold Godwinson was now King Edward's brother-in-law.

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He was a close advisor to the King,

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a brave warrior who had proven himself in battle against the Welsh,

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and in many ways he was almost like a co-King.

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Uh-oh, Edward got old and he's on his deathbed.

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Possibly for religious reasons,

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or maybe because he wasn't happy about having to marry her,

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he didn't boink his wife.

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And as a result, has no kids.

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Meaning there's no obvious heir to the throne.

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'Meaning I'm gonna be King!'

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'He does have a grandnephew, it could be him.'

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'Hmm, no, let's go with me.'

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Just one problem.

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I mentioned that Edward's mother was a Norman,

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Edward grew up in Normandy,

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and he had a lot of Norman friends.

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The current Duke of Normandy

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was William the Bastard.

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Why was he called 'The Bastard'?

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One day his father was sneaking out of his castle

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when his advisors said,

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'Where are you going?'

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'Uh, to the tanner's shop.'

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'Why?'

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'To get a...

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tan?'

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But that was a lie.

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Firstly because tanners give you leather,

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not tans,

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and secondly,

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because he was really going to see the tanner's daughter.

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One thing leads to another,

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and out comes baby William.

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Born out of wedlock.

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Thus,

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an absolute bastard.

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His father died when William was seven or eight,

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and he became the new Duke.

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He spent most of his childhood narrowly avoiding assassination,

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which probably turned him into the big-balls tough guy he's remembered as today.

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In 1051,

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the town of Aleรงon tried to rebel against him,

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and the townspeople beat on dead animal skins

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as an insult to his commoner mother.

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William was furious,

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and he responded by -

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well let's just say it wasn't pretty.

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That's the kind of guy we're dealing with here.

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William and Edward were good friends,

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and Edward allegedly promised that William could have the English throne after him.

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A decade later, Harold Godwinson even visited William,

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and pledged an oath to him over holy relics,

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promising that William could be the next King of England.

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Although it's possible Harold only did it because William was holding his family hostage.

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So when William heard that the King was on his deathbed, he said,

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'Hooray! I'm going to be King!'

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So now you have two extremely powerful men who both think they're about to become the next King.

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But wait.

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This guy is the King of Norway.

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He's spent most of his life as a warrior-for-hire,

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fighting for whoever would give him the most gold.

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You name a place,

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he probably fought a war there.

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Poland? Yep.

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Estonia? Yep.

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Against pirates in the Mediterranean? Yep.

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The Holy Lands? Sicily? In Bulgaria?

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Yep.

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He got crazy rich off the back of it, and was swimming in gold.

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Then he returned home, and became King.

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One of the previous Norwegian Kings had made an agreement with one of England's Viking Kings

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saying that when that Viking King died,

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the King of Norway would get the English throne.

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Hardrada felt that because of this agreement,

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he was now entitled to the English throne.

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He was also eager to go on one last big conquest

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that would turn him into a legend.

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So when he got word that Edward was on his deathbed,

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he thought, 'I'm going to invade England,

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and then I'm going to be King!'

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So now we have three extremely powerful men

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who all think they're about to become the next King of England,

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and that means somebody's probably about to get hurt.

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Back in England, Harold Godwinson is watching over the dying King Edward.

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Suddenly, he comes out with a shocking announcement.

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'Hey, uh...everyone?

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Gather in. That's it. Come closer.

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Don't be shy.

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Okay.

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So, I've got bad news.

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The King is dead.

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Um...

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I know. Very sad.

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Uh, but good news!

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He said that I should be the next King.

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So...

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Hooray for me!

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And...

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um...

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Oh yeah.

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He said that if he once told anyone else they could be King,

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that he doesn't like them anymore,

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and they should just stay in Normandy.

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And also he said that no one should ask any further questions.

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Okay, good talk.

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Go, um...

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Go do whatever it is you do.'

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Usually it took months of preparation to crown a new King,

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but Harold rushed it and he had himself crowned the same day King Edward was buried.

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In Normandy, William's advisors came to him and said,

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'Hey Big Willy.

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Bad news:

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Harold Godwinson has taken the English throne.'

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And William was furious.

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So he sent an envoy to Harold who said,

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'William says you stole the throne and demands you immediately return it to him.'

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'Hmm, let me think about that.

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No.'

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'He said no.'

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'That bastard!'

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'Wait, I thought you were The Bastard.'

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'Dude!

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Uncool.'

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William immediately began gathering his armies together,

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and preparing for an invasion of England.

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Now, killing a King was generally frowned upon in old-time Europe,

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because they were considered to have been chosen by God Himself.

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So back in Normandy, William had to get God on his side.

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He needed the Pope's blessing for his conquest,

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So he went to the Pope and said, 'Godwinson made an oath to me over holy relics,

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and then he usurped the throne.

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Can I kill him?'

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'Eh. Sure. Why not?'

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So the Pope gave William his blessing,

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meaning William now had God on his side.

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Everything was ready to go.

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Just one problem.

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The wind.

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It was blowing the wrong way,

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and William had to wait with his army in Normandy

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while Godwinson waited with his army in the south of England.

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They waited...

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And waited...

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And waited...

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And then William said, 'Screw it!'

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and sailed for England, and got shipwrecked

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because the wind was blowing the wrong way.

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So then he decided to keep on waiting.

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They waited for two months and the wind never changed.

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Eventually Godwinson got bored

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and also ran out of food for his soldiers,

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so he sent them all home and he returned to London.

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The south coast was undefended,

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and all William could do was keep waiting.

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While the northerly wind kept William in Normandy,

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it was carrying Hardrada and his Viking army to England.

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Hardrada landed near the old Viking city of York,

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and defeated a regional army lead by the Northern Earls,

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and York surrendered.

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When Godwinson heard about this,

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he must have been pretty upset.

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He had just disbanded his army and now he had to gather them all together again,

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and march all the way north.

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He made the exhausting journey in just four days,

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which is crazy quick,

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and he caught the Vikings off-guard and unprepared for battle.

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The two armies stood on either side of the River Derwent.

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Legend says that a berserker Viking single-handedly held the only bridge crossing the river,

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dodging arrows and fending off attackers,

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until some English soldiers got under the bridge in a barrel, and gave him the old spear-in-the-jewels.

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This gave the Vikings enough time to form a shield wall,

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but because they'd been caught off-guard,

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many weren't wearing their chainmail and armour,

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and the English eventually defeated them,

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killing Hardrada, and with him,

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bringing the Viking era in England to an end.

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[creak]

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'Finally!'

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William's fleet of over 700 ships and 14,000 men

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set sail and landed on the English coast at Pevensey,

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and set up camp near Hastings.

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And Harold was still all the way in York.

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His exhausted army had to march all the way south,

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just days after their battle with the Vikings.

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Harold made it to London,

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and considered just staying there and waiting for William to come to him.

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But William forced Harold's hand by burning down a bunch of villages.

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Harold's army set out and met William's on the 14th October 1066,

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and both sides prepared themselves for the Battle of Hastings.

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The English were on a hill, so they decided to stay there because it was a good defensive position.

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The Normans approached, and the two sides probably spent a while yelling at each other.

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William and the Normans had a few tactical advantages over the English.

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The first were the archers.

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The Normans sent volley after volley of arrows at the English,

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who formed a shield wall in defence.

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Then William sent his infantry up the hill.

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The English threw anything they had at them,

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and the Normans couldn't break through the shield wall.

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Then the Normans' next tactical advantage came into play.

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William sent his cavalry up the hill,

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but even they struggled to break through the shield wall defences.

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Wave after wave of infantry and cavalry came,

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and Harold knew all he had to do was let the Normans exhaust themselves,

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and he would win.

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But then something a bit strange happened.

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It's possible the Normans incorrectly believed William had been killed,

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maybe they lost their will to fight against the shield wall,

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or maybe it was an intentional deception tactic,

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but suddenly, the Norman forces turned and ran away from the English.

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Believing they had won, the English broke their shield wall and chased down the retreating Normans,

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who then turned around, encircled the English troops,

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and cut them down.

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In the chaotic fighting that followed,

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Harold Godwinson was killed,

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the most popular theory being that he took an arrow in the eye.

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The English were defeated and William had won.

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He was no more just a Bastard.

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Now, he was a Conqueror.

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At first, the English nobles were reluctant to make him King,

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but William burned down a few more villages and the nobles eventually gave in and offered him the crown.

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As he was coronated, the local villagers in Westminster let out a cheer of support,

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but William thought it was a riot so he burned down the village.

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William then had to go on a long and costly campaign

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of quelling rebellions and burning down villages all over England

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to force the people into submission,

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and England went through a massive transformation under its new Norman rule.

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English nobles were replaced with Normans.

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They built castles and grand cathedrals.

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But one of the most interesting changes occurred within the English language.

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The Normans brought their dialect of French to England,

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and it merged with Old English in ways we still live with today.

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First of all, the Normans were obviously the ones in power,

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so words related to power like 'government',

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'judge', 'castle', and 'crown'

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come from the Normans.

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Words that are considered posher or more refined are usually the Norman ones.

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At first the Anglo-Saxons probably weren't that 'friendly' to the Normans,

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while the Normans likely weren't that 'amiable' towards the Anglo-Saxons.

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An Anglo-Saxon might 'come in' to a 'room',

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but a Norman would 'enter' into a 'chamber'.

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An Anglo-Saxon might 'buy' themselves a 'shirt',

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while a Norman would 'purchase' a 'blouse'.

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And while that filthy peasant's new shirt may be 'fair',

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the Norman blouse is absolutely 'beautiful'.

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The Normans actually considered some Anglo-Saxon words so crude,

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that I can't even say them on YouTube.

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But there's more.

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Ask an Anglo-Saxon what job he does

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and he might respond with some low-level trade,

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such as a 'baker', a 'miller', or a 'shoemaker'.

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But a Norman has a skilled trade,

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like a 'painter', a 'tailor' or a 'merchant'.

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The Anglo-Saxon farmers working in the fields owned many 'cows', 'pigs', and 'sheep',

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but once they were served up in a Norman banquet,

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they became 'beef', 'pork', and 'mutton'.

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And written English changed too.

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Since many Anglo-Saxons couldn't write, the written language was romanticised.

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Your annoying friend that says 'cool "hwip"'

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might just be speaking in Old English dialect,

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as the Anglo-Saxons originally wrote it,

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'hwaenne', 'hwaer' and 'hwaet'.

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But the Normans swapped the W and H around.

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And the long English 'A' vowel sounded more like an 'O' to the Normans,

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so you can thank them that you live in a home, not a ham.

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Hey! Fun fact about William.

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The man couldn't read or write.

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Not in French, not in English, not in anything.

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Well what if I told you there was a place you could learn French, English, even Japanese if you wanted.

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And not just that. Pick up a musical instrument,

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learn to code games and apps,

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animation, photography and film,

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anything you could dream of,

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all taught by genuine experts,

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and you can get your first two months for free.

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I'm talking about Skillshare.

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With over 17,000 classes in the arts,

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business, technology and more.

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I get a lot of comments asking how I create these videos,

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and the answer is a mixture of After Effects, PhotoShop and Illustrator.

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You can find classes for all skill levels on Skillshare.

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Pair those new design and animation skills with some coding,

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and you're on your way to creating your first indie game or app.

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You can get unlimited access to all of this for a very affordable $10 a month,

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but if you want to try it out first,

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you can get two months for free

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by using this link,

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which can also be found in the description below.

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So check it out,

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improve your skills,

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and learn something new today.

play12:24

With Skillshare.

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Related Tags
Middle AgesBattle of HastingsEngland HistoryViking RaidsNorman ConquestHarold GodwinsonWilliam the ConquerorHistorical HumorMedieval Power StruggleCultural Transformation