Why is 1066 famours?

Answer 1

The most famous thing to occur on this date would be William I of Normandy's conquest of England.

Edward the conffessor was the last true king of the Anglo-Saxons in England, and when his life came to an end, it was time for him to name an heir. It was widely assumed that he would name Duke William of Normandy, since the Duke had assisted him previously and the two had been somewhat of allies.

Upon his death however, another man, Harold Godwinson, assumed the throne and began to rule England. After hearing this, the Duke of Normandy began very angered as he thought the throne was rightfully his.

Oddly enough, a third man, Harold Haldraga, came into the picture and claimed the throne belonged to him. Haldraga was a viking, and so he massed a fleet and an army, and invaded northern England in 1066. Harold Godwinson sent his entire army north to fight them off.

Duke William of Normandy took this perfect opportunity to attack as well. With political support from the Papacy in Italy, Duke William massed his army and invaded South England at the same time.

Godwinson's army eventually defeated the northern viking invaders, but by the time they returned south to face Duke William and his men, they were overwhelmed, and Duke William won the famous Battle of Hastings and claimed the English throne.