The Norman conquest of England in 1066 established William the Conqueror as the new king after he defeated the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. Several hundred years later, King John's oppressive rule led English nobles to force him to sign the Magna Carta in 1215, establishing certain legal rights and limiting the king's power. This document helped develop the foundations of constitutional monarchy and led to the creation of the first English parliament under King Edward I in the late 13th century.

1. England and France Develop

3. Here’s the situation: England’s king, Edward the Confessor, an Anglo-Saxon (Germanic), dies in 1066. He has no heir. There’s a power vacuum and several people who want to fill it. King Edward, aka Saint Edward the Confessor: patron saint of kings, difficult marriages, and separated spouses.

5. At Hastings, the English infantry form a defensive line and occupy the high ground against the Norman cavalry and archers. The initial archer volleys do nothing.

6. The Normans nearly eat it when the English come rampaging down the hill and almost turn William’s left flank.

7. William’s cavalry, though, rushes in and cuts off the English attackers.

10. According to legend, Harold dies from an arrow through his right eye. This comes mainly from the Bayeux Tapestry, which is supposed to depict the events.

14. The Magna Carta