FIND OUT MORE. Islamic Civilization 386–387 • Medieval Europe 390–391
Normans
The Normans were descended from Viking warriors who
settled in Normandy, northwest France, in 911 CE. They
conquered large areas of Europe, from England to
southern Italy. Norman kings were strong rulers.
WHAT HAPPENED IN 1066?
The Normans invaded England in 1066. They were led
by the Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror,
who became king of England. He removed English
nobles, and gave their land to Normans. Norman
nobles ran the government, and Norman priests led
the Church. Norman rulers spoke French, and built
castles. They imposed heavy taxes and harsh laws.
CATHEDRAL AT MONREALE 3
This cathedral in Sicily was built
in 1174–1189, in a mixture of
Byzantine, Arabic, North African,
and Norman styles. The Normans
built castles and cathedrals in all
the lands they conquered.WHY WAS NORMAN SICILY SO REMARKABLE?
In 1060–1091, Sicily was conquered by Normans.
The island’s new rulers were tolerant of its Muslim
inhabitants and after the conquest it flourished as a
multicultural centre of art and learning. Norman
Sicilian kings encouraged the work of Arab
geographers and scientists, and sponsored the
translation of Greek classic texts into Latin.4 BATTLE OF HASTINGS, 1066
The Bayeux tapestry is a record of
William’s conquest from a
Norman point of view. In this
scene, English foot-soldiers are
being trampled by Norman horses
at the Battle of Hastings.FIND OUT MORE. Islamic Civilization 386–387 • Medieval Europe 390–391 • Vikings 388
Crusades
In 1095, Pope Urban II called for a war against the
Muslim rulers of Jerusalem. This was the First Crusade.
Over the next two centuries, Christian armies from
Europe fought more crusades, but none was successful.
WHY WAS THE FIRST CRUSADE CALLED?
For centuries, Christian pilgrims had been visiting the
Holy Land, where Jesus had lived and which had
been ruled by Muslims since 637. The First
Crusade happened because, by the 11th
century, the region’s rulers were less
sympathetic to Christian pilgrims.WHAT DID THE CRUSADERS BRING
BACK TO EUROPE?
Crusaders returned with apricots,
lemons, rice, dyes, spices, perfume,
soap, and glass mirrors. They also
brought back a musical instrument,
the ancestor of the modern guitar.SOLDIER IN PRAYER 3
This Crusader, featured on an English
manuscript of around 1200, is kneeling in
prayer before a battle.1 CRUSADERS ATTACK CONSTANTINOPLE
In 1204, crusaders from western Europe sailed to Constantinople. Having
captured and looted the city, they then ruled it for nearly 60 years. This
Fourth Crusade never reached the Holy Land.
Normans
Crusades