English royal ancestry virtually eradicated

It's all about the battle of Hastings when the Norman duke William defeated English army and thus provoked a turning point in the history of England since the death of king Harold II. Anglo-Saxon royal ancestry is soon to be eradicated completely while the English society as well as the English aristocracy will face certain omnipresent changes.

Truthfully, following the death of Edward III. the Confessor, William was one of the possible pretenders to the English throne. After Harold II. took over the English throne, William attempted a coup in order to usurp the English crown.

In the september 1066 William gathered a large fleet of 600 vessels and 7000 soldiers. He recruted sons from families, born as second or even third in the line, with no entitlement to inheritance promising them land property as well as titles in England. He had gathered soldiers from northern France, Germany as well from dutch teritories.

Harold II was afraid of William with a reason, so he concentrated his forces at the southern coast of England. But, only now the real plot thickens! William was abruplty trapped by the unsupportive winds. In order to stop the Viking invasion led by Harald Hardrad, who even assured a support from Harold's brother Tostig, the latter pointed his forces towards north.

He indeed won the battle, and defeated Vikings at Stamford Bridge on 25. september 1066. In addition, he killed Harald and Tostig. But, on the 28th of september William disembarked near Pevensey on the southern coastal area, while Harold II hastily rushed to the south to attack his adversary before Normans strenghen their positions. One way or another, Harold didn't make it.

English forces were enfeebled by the losses gathered at Stamford Bridge and worn out by tiring, long marches, while 5000 soldiers were greatly outnumbered by their adversaries who gathered 7000 soldiers. Having that in mind, Harold ordered basic defence stance to his troups on the outskirts of hill hoping to assure a protection from the Norman cavalry.

English positions were swept away. On 14th of october Harold II was killed, allegedly by an arrow striking him in the eye, while the English forces have been defeated in the battle of Hastings. By the Christmas 1066. William completely conquered England and declared himself a king.