William the Conqueror

Anglo-Norman Relations

In the 10thc, Vikings hit both England and Normandy very hard, devastating and dominating the area. When the Danes took England in 1013, the West Saxon royal family fled to Normandy.

The kings in exile did not forget or relinquish their claim to be the true kings of England. Edward the Confessor was the claimant, and he lived in Normandy until he became king in 1042. William was 14 at that time. The Danes and Norwegians continued to try to re-claim England over the next two decades, but without success.

There were, therefore, close ties and intertwining interests between the Danes (and the Norwegians, who inherited the Danish claims), the Saxons, and the Normans. William grew up well- acquainted with the situation.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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