<P> The Norman invasion of England in 1066 led to the defeat and replacement of the Anglo - Saxon elite with Norman and French nobles and their supporters . William the Conqueror and his successors took over the existing state system , repressing local revolts and controlling the population through a network of castles . The new rulers introduced a feudal approach to governing England , eradicating the practice of slavery but creating a much wider body of unfree labourers called serfs . The position of women in society changed as laws regarding land and lordship shifted . England 's population more than doubled during the 12th and 13th centuries , fuelling an expansion of the towns , cities and trade , helped by warmer temperatures across Northern Europe . A new wave of monasteries and friaries were established , while ecclesiastical reforms led to tensions between successive kings and archbishops . Despite developments in England 's governance and legal system , infighting between the Anglo - Norman elite resulted in multiple civil wars and the loss of Normandy . </P>
<P> The Norman invasion of England in 1066 led to the defeat and replacement of the Anglo - Saxon elite with Norman and French nobles and their supporters . William the Conqueror and his successors took over the existing state system , repressing local revolts and controlling the population through a network of castles . The new rulers introduced a feudal approach to governing England , eradicating the practice of slavery but creating a much wider body of unfree labourers called serfs . The position of women in society changed as laws regarding land and lordship shifted . England 's population more than doubled during the 12th and 13th centuries , fuelling an expansion of the towns , cities and trade , helped by warmer temperatures across Northern Europe . A new wave of monasteries and friaries were established , while ecclesiastical reforms led to tensions between successive kings and archbishops . Despite developments in England 's governance and legal system , infighting between the Anglo - Norman elite resulted in multiple civil wars and the loss of Normandy . </P>
who came to britain in the middle ages
who came to britain in the middle ages
William the Conqueror
William the Conqueror