In the middle of the ninth century, Northern Europe was invaded by Viking warriors from Scandinavia known as the Normans or “Northmen”. The Normans attack was devastating, as they stole and robbed across the northern European seas, targeting isolated but wealthy monasteries. Their invasions affected greatly the former empire, causing nobility, commoners, and peasants to attach themselves to anyone who might provide military protection. By the tenth century, they had invaded, explored, and settled territories from North America. In France, they surrounded Paris in 845 and gained control of the lower Seine Valley. In 915, the Frankish King Charles III was forced to grant the Norse leader Rolf, or Rollo, permanent control of the region becoming the first Duke of Normandy. In 1066, the Normans invaded England, causing Northern France and England to become one country ruled by one King, William I. This invasion is narrated in the Bayeux Tapestry where it shows the struggle for the throne of England between William, the Duke …show more content…
However, Harold, the Earl of Wessex, said that Edward promises him the throne when he was on his deathbed. According to the Tapestry, Harold was back in England before Edward died, and he became king, repealing whatever promise he may have sworn to William. As William prepared to invade England from the south, Harold and the Norwegians prepared to attack from the north. Intense winds kept William in Normandy, but the same winds helped the Norwegians meet with Harold. When the winds ceased, William decided to sail from the south landing in Sussex, Harold turned his troops southward, but exhausted from both the battle and the march they were defeated by William’s army at Hastings on October 14, 1066. The tapestry ends with the death of