The Norman Conquest (1066)

In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror), invaded England after the death of King Edward the Confessor. He defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066. William introduced the feudal system, where all land belonged to the king and was distributed to his followers. He ordered the compilation of the Domesday Book in 1086 to survey all land and property.