| the conquest of England by the Normans, under William the Conqueror, in 1066. |
| Norman Conquest n. The conquest of England by the Normans under William the Conqueror, especially the Battle of Hastings in 1066. |
The overthrow of the government of England in 1066 by forces of Normandy, a province of northern France, under the leadership of William the Conqueror. William proclaimed himself king of England after defeating the English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Norman rule strengthened the power of the king and the system of feudalism in England and brought a great number of French influences to the English language (see Middle English) and English institutions.