THE StORMING nORMANS They came, they fought, they conquered – and they were rather keen on building castles too! The Normans were descended from people now had to live and work under Vikings who settled in Normandy in William’s knights and barons (page 4) France. In 1066 a few thousand Normans who owned all the land, demanded food sailed over to England and changed the and taxes from them and also spoke course of British history. French instead of English. In fact, we still When the English king, Edward the speak many Norman words in everyday Confessor, died without an heir, three English today (page 15). men claimed the throne as theirs. Two of After centuries of battling with them, Harold of the Anglo-Saxons and CLICK HERE invaders from Scandanavia, England was Harald of the Norwegians, fought a to see a Harold now linked with Europe, battle in northern England, while the and it was the Norman Normans, under Duke William, landed in vs William influence that helped to the south. Harold and the Anglo-Saxons video! turn England into one of won the first battle but, after the richest, most a long march to meet William’s army, powerful kingdoms. they were defeated by the Normans at the famous Battle of Hastings (see page 6), which made William the new king of England. KINGS OF THE CASTLES Over the next few decades this small army of Normans took control of the whole country by building lots of motte-and- bailey castles (page 13). These were built of wood and earth but eventually became the huge stone buildings that still stand all over the country today (page 11). From their castles the Normans ruled England, I'm a very building Battle cry important churches (page Find out about parson! 12), changing the Battle of the laws, Hastings and language and Battle Abbey everyday life of people in on page 6 England. Ordinary Norman JAN SEP OCT DEC Conquest 1066 1066 1066 1066 Edward the Harald Hardrada The Battle William is crowned Confessor claims the throne of Hastings. king of England timeline dies. Harold but is defeated William’s Normans on Christmas Day, The key dates following Godwinson is by King Harold at beat Harold’s which was his best the Battle of Hastings named king Stamford Bridge Anglo-Saxons present that year 02 WIN 4 A day at Rochester Castle A COOL GOODY BAG! Meet a young kitchen boy Make a mini Norman castle and send Let's go to Battle Abbey us a photo for your chance to win! 6 Visit the scene of the Battle of Hastings We've got a goody bag worth £100 to give away to the reader Norman settlement poster who makes the best mini motte-and-bailey castle (see page 13 8 The next part of your mega timeline! for inspiration). This can be out of cake, clay, papier mâché – anything you want! Go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kids to find out how to enter Norman knight quiz 10 See if you could be hero on horseback! Look inside… LOL! 11 Discover life within Richmond Castle What was the knight’s favourite game? Castle Acre guide Knights and 12 Explore this Norman castle and priory crosses! Spotter’s guide 13 Motte-and-bailey castles explained What’s for dinner? 14 A festive feast at Sherborne Old Castle Norman know-how 15 More fun, games and quizzes Dress-up time 16 King Harold and William selfie kit This magazine is published on behalf of English Heritage by Immediate Media Co. www.immediate.co.uk Pssst! See if you can spot For English Heritage me on page 8! Luke Whitcomb, Johanna Lovesey, Tersia Boorer, Tony Dike, Rebecca Thompson For Immediate Media Co Group editor Matt Havercroft Art editor Sam Freeman Group production editor Oliver Hurley Senior account manager Laura Connelly Director Julie Williams Editorial director Dan Linstead Design director Will Slater Contributors Terms and conditions The closing date and time for entries is midnight on Wednesday Jeremy Ashbee, Michael Carter, Adam Rees 28 February 2018. The promoter is English Heritage. If you are under 13 you need permission from your parent/guardian before entering the competition. One winner will receive an English Heritage Ilustration and photographs goody bag worth £100. For full terms and conditions go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/kids. Wesley Robins, Michael Gambriel 200340 1068 1069 1077 1086 1087 Following a few William marches Work begins on the William has a William dies and rebellions, King north and ends Bayeux Tapestry, survey taken about is succeeded by William begins the final pockets which tells the tale the people who live his son William II, building castles to of resistance of the Norman in England, called having changed enforce his power against him Conquest the Domesday Book British history 03 Henry needs to light the fire under the oven. A lot of bread needs to be baked A day in the life… so the fire is big and extremely hot. Meet Henry, a kitchen servant at Rochester Castle in 1154 Well, at least I’m not cold any more… OUCH, MY FINGERS! Yawn! brrrr, I wish I could stay in bed like my lord Everyone else in the castle gets up at sunrise but Henry and the other kitchen servants have to wake even earlier to get breakfast ready. It’s a big day in the kitchen as there’s a feast tonight for the lord’s birthday. His wife, the lady of the castle, goes to the kitchen to check on preparations. No more ale, I’ve had enough Yes my lord. (whispers) it’s probably for the best! One day I’d Stop Henry helps serve the lord constable, Reginald, like a wife daydreaming and his family a breakfast of bread, meat, fish like the Henry! and ale, which is a lot safer to drink than water. lady… Henry leaves the castle to meet his friend Oliver, Ha! Oliver a squire, who is training to be a knight. The GOOD is scared other squires are practising with weapons. HUNT? of the bird! I wish I was Er… swinging swords, not sweeping floors! Oliver has just been on a hunt and has some rabbits the falcon caught for the feast. Henry makes one more stop at the castle’s Back in the kitchen Henry and his friend brewhouse to pick up some ale for the feast. Joan are making custard and swan-shaped The brewer seems a little bit sleepy. sotiltees (sugar sculptures) for the table. Oh yes, delicious. Ahem… I’d Is the imagine! Sweet! I hope ale nice? this all tastes as good as it looks! The feast is a big occasion. The lady of the house puts Henry to work in the great hall, sweeping the floors and starting the fire. You, boy, more wine! OW! Not Yes my lord again The feast begins and Henry and Jean carry plates of roast meat and jugs of ale and wine for the guests. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most important guest at the feast. Henry is After a long day Henry is extremely nervous about meeting him. exhausted. He has to be up in a few hours to do it all again. Just the washing-up to do before I can go to bed... Gulp! M… more wine y… Why yes, your grace? bless you my child To see the amazing Rochester Castle for yourself, go to www.english-heritage.org.uk/rochester Discover how the Battle of Hastings unfolded at the site of the most LET famous battle in British history BatTl e ComMEnce! MARCHING TO VICTORY? After marching south after defeating Harald Hardrada’s army at Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire, Harold’s Saxon army lined up on a hill around eight miles from Hastings to meet William’s Norman army. Harold’s men were tired but were led by Harold’s fierce troops, who held spears and axes behind a wall of shields. A HILL TO CLIMB On the ground below, William’s Norman army lined up. He had the same number of men but, crucially, he had archers, who could kill from a distance, and his swift, well- trained cavalry on horseback. If he wanted the throne of England he was going to have to take the hill. HOLDING STEADY TRICKY TACTICS William’s men attacked up the slope With masterful tactics, William all day, with exhausted knights ordered his men to retreat and lots coming back down the hill to have of the Saxons left the hill, running a break. Though they were being after the Normans. But it was weakened, Harold’s Saxons held a trick! The retreating Normans firm and, as night approached, they turned around to kill their pursuers, hoped to hold on for victory. leaving just a few Saxons left. 06 INTERVIEW WITH KING HAROLD AND WILLIAM LOL! THE CONQUEROR What did We sent young Member Will Harold say to the Battle of Hastings when he was battlefield to meet the rivals! hit by an arrow? I’m all Where did you land your boats? aquiver! William: We arrived in Pevensey Bay. We constructed fortifications there until we moved near Hastings and could build a more secure base. BatTl e Why do you want to keep the English crown so much? Harold: This Norman invader wants to change the way we live and change the way our church is run. William, why do you think you’re going to win? William: We have the most modern army.