Q & A - The Battle of 1066: Who Conquered England?
This Parent Q&A sheet for The Battle of 1066: Who Conquered England? is designed to support families using Elective Home Education. It offers a simple but thorough way to help parents understand the events of 1066 and guide their children through this important moment in British history.
The resource covers the main characters, the key battles, and what happened after the Normans won. All answers are written in plain English with helpful explanations for any trickier terms. Whether you’re teaching a younger learner or supporting an older child, this sheet will give you the confidence to answer questions and steer meaningful conversations.
You’ll find over 15 detailed questions and answers, followed by extra conversation ideas and creative prompts. These can be used to spark deeper thinking or encourage your learner to explore the topic in more imaginative ways. Use the printable sheet flexibly – whether as a discussion guide, a review tool, or to support a bigger history project.
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You’ll also find a full Lesson Plan and a handy Parent Q & A sheet, for this topic, ready to use..
| The Battle of 1066: Who Conquered England? | |
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| Tip for Parents | Use these Q&As to support conversations about the Battle of 1066. Let your child explain what they understand, and feel free to explore related topics such as castles, kings, or famous battles. |
| 1. What was the Battle of 1066? | It refers to the Battle of Hastings, fought on 14 October 1066, where William of Normandy defeated King Harold II of England and took the crown. |
| 2. Why was 1066 such an important year in English history? | Because three different men claimed the English throne, and their rivalries led to three major battles. The result changed who ruled the country and how it was governed. |
| 3. Who were the three claimants to the English throne? | Harold Godwinson (an English noble), William of Normandy (a French duke), and Harald Hardrada (a Viking king from Norway). |
| 4. Why did King Edward's death cause such a problem? | He died without leaving a child (heir), so no one had a clear right to become king. That led to arguments and invasions. |
| 5. What happened at the Battle of Fulford? | Harald Hardrada and Tostig (Harold’s brother) defeated an English army near York on 20 September 1066. |
| 6. What was the Battle of Stamford Bridge? | Just five days after Fulford, King Harold marched north and defeated the Viking army at Stamford Bridge, killing both Harald Hardrada and Tostig. |
| 7. Why was Harold’s army so tired before Hastings? | They had just fought a huge battle at Stamford Bridge and had to march all the way back to the south coast to face William’s army. |
| 8. What is a shield wall? | A military formation where soldiers stood close together with overlapping shields, making it hard for enemies to break through. |
| 9. How did William win the Battle of Hastings? | He used clever tactics, including pretending to retreat so the English soldiers would break formation. Once the shield wall was weakened, he attacked again and won. |
| 10. What happened to King Harold? | He was killed during the battle. Many believe he was shot in the eye with an arrow, although we can't be completely sure. |
| 11. When was William crowned king? | He was crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066, at Westminster Abbey. |
| 12. What changed after William became king? | He replaced many Anglo-Saxon lords with Normans, introduced new laws, built castles to keep control, and changed the way land was managed. |
| 13. What is the Domesday Book? | A detailed survey of land and property ordered by William in 1086 to help with tax collection and managing the kingdom. |
| 14. Why is this battle still remembered today? | Because it marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule and began a new chapter in English history. It also shaped our language, laws, and class system. |
| 15. What is the Bayeux Tapestry? | A long embroidered cloth that tells the story of the Norman Conquest in pictures. It’s one of the most famous historical records from the time. |
| 16. What language did the Normans speak? | They spoke a version of French, and many French words entered the English language after the conquest, especially in law and government. |
| 17. Did people accept William as king straight away? | No — there were rebellions across the country, and William had to use force and fear (like burning villages) to keep control. |
| 18. Why didn’t Harald Hardrada succeed? | Although he won one battle, he was defeated at Stamford Bridge and killed in the fight. His claim ended there. |
| 19. What made William’s army strong? | It had skilled archers, cavalry (soldiers on horses), and experienced warriors. They also used strategies that the English army wasn’t expecting. |
| 20. Why is learning about 1066 useful today? | It helps children understand how power changes, how battles shape countries, and how the past still affects the way we live now. |
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