Considered one of the most important events in English history, the Norman Conquest in 1066 CE produced many different outcomes that changed the course of English history. During the reign of William the Conqueror, many elements of the English government and political system changed with the introduction of feudalism. Additionally, Norman French caused the English language to change. While many people believe that these changes constitute the most significant Norman impact on England, the influence of the Norman Conquest on the role of women in England is no less remarkable. As history has shown time and time again, the death of a leader brings drastic changes to that leader's nation. This was indeed the case when the English King Edward the Confessor died in January 1066. To complicate matters, King Edward left no living heirs. In his life, Edward had sympathized with the Normans of northern France, and William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that the English king had promised him the throne. However, rumors also circulated that, on his deathbed, Edward had named Harold Godwinson, the leader of the army, heir to the English crown. Although none of these claims were ever ratified, Harold eventually took control of England. This event, however, infuriated Duke William. In October 1066, William invaded England and King Harold was killed at the decisive Battle of Hastings. With this glorious victory, the new King William gained his well-known title of William the Conqueror. As the Conqueror settled into his new position as King of England, many other Normans followed their leader across the English Channel to settle the island nation. These Normans brought with them their own customs and cultures which differed quite significantly from those of English culture. Since the Normans, as conquerors, became the new ruling class, they had a tremendous impact on