Early English History

• 1066- William the Conquerer defeats King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. England was changed forever afterwards. 
• The Domesday Book was the first survey of everything that was in England at the time William took charge. 
• The House of Plantagenet- The places from where people of such caliber as William the Lion-hearted originated. 
• Feudalism- The king is the main ruling figure, the barons own the land and the serfs who work the land. The serfs have to work, but they do get a small bit of land. 
• The Crusades- Early Middle Ages, the Islamic forces had gone through Arabia had taken Constantinople, the center of the old Roman world. England wants to take the Holy Land back. England sends many forces over to Jerusalem, including children. Many new trade routes are developed, as are cities. 
• For many centuries, the Spanish Peninsula is under Islamic control. The English go to Spain to fight the Islamic Moors. 
• Islamic scholars set up libraries, especially in Spain, and these libraries become the center of the knowledge the Moors had captured. 
• The Normans brought the French language to England, which was a pivotal moment in spoken history. 
• After quite some time, people realized the Crusades were not the greatest of ideas. Millions of people had lost their lives on both sides. The Muslims recaptured Jerusalem in 1187, which was a heavy hit to westerners. King Richard failed to recapture the city and Crusading had to end. 
• The treaty of Paris- 200 years after the Norman invasion. King Henry had to sign the treaty which stated that he could not take Nordic land. 
• Henry changed marriage into a political tool. He emphasized marriage to French so as to be more connected to them. 
• Edward I becomes king when his father died.  
• Centralized finances becomes common practice. 
• "Rebellions in Wales are testament to some Welshmen's continuing struggle for independence."
• Westminster Abbey was constructed as a tomb for King Edward I. 
• In the 13th century, Wales was divided in three.