Anglo-Saxon England: Anglo-Saxon England was early medieval England starting at the end of Roman Britain, which lasted until 1066, the Norman invasion
Edward the Confessor: Saint Edward the Confessor ruled in Anglo Saxon times as a king of England. He ruled from 1042 to 1066.
Witan: The witan consisted of the most politically powerful men in Anglo Saxon England, and could choose a king if the recent king who passed had no hereditary blood, or who never had any children.
Harold Godwinson: Harold Godwinson was the last king of Anglo Saxon England, as a product of the witan, as the last king had died and had no hereditary blood to pass on the throne.
Fyrd: A Fyrd was the English Anglo Saxon militia before 1066.
Housecarls: A housecarl is a person who gives a service of protection to someone of great power such as an English king or noble.
Harold Hardrada: Harald Hardrada was the king of Norway 1046 to 1066. He unsuccessfully took over the English throne which lead to his death in 1066
Tostig Godwinson: Tostig Godwinson is the brother of Harold Godwinson. Tostig was exiled by his brother, and turned on him at Stanford Bridge. Tostig was killed there.
Vikings: Scandinavian soldiers who would raid and pillage much of northern Europe
Stamford Bridge: Located in the north of England, this is where Harold Godwinson fought Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson and won
William of Normandy: William of Normandy was the duke of Normandy. He would then go off to conquer the Anglo-Saxon English throne and would be referred to as William the Conqueror
Battle of Hastings: The Battle of Hastings was the battle between Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy, of which William won
Shield Wall: A defensive strategy successfully used by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings. The shield wall would be made of an individual soldier’s shield interconnecting with the soldier next to him
Cavalry: A unit of soldiers who would fight on a horse
Infantry: A unit of soldiers who would fight on foot
Feudalism: Feudalism was a structured society in medieval Europe, that would declare granted land in exchange for resources or protection.
Bayeux Tapestry: Is an embroidered cloth depicting the events leading up to the Norman conquest
Domesday Book: Domesday Book is a written manuscript of the Great Survey, commissioned by William the Conqueror. The main purpose was to find anything owned by Harold Godwinson.
Motte and Bailey Castle: Motte and Bailey castles appeared after William’s conquer of England. These were built in France to defend themselves from the constant onslaught of Vikings.
