The 
invasion  of England by William was triggered by an event that took place  in the  year 1051. During this year, William met his cousin the English king, Edward   the Confessor in England. The Norman history illustrates that during  this  meeting, Edward being childless gave William his word to make him  his legal  heir. However, while breathing  his last the king ended up granting permission  of kingship to Harold  Godwine who belonged to an extremely powerful noble  family. The death  of King Edward in January 1066 and the subsequent  announcement of  Harold Godwine as the king set off a conflict between King  Harold II  and William, who desired his rightful claim to the English throne.   However, even before King Harold could defend his throne from William,  he was  defeated by his own brother Tostig and was forced to leave the  English Channel.  The King finally managed to take control of the  situation on 25th September  1066 by killing both King Harold III and  Tostig at Stamford Bridge. 
   However, King Harold could barely  breathe a sigh of relief when after 3  days; England was invaded by  William at Pevensey. Along with a military  strength of about 7,000  troops and cavalry, William captured Pevensey and  headed for Hastings.  13th October witnessed an intense battle between Harold and  William at  Hastings resulting in the death of King Harold II and the ensuing   defeat of his forces. Finally, on the auspicious day of the 25th December 1066, William the Conqueror  came to be known as the first  Norman king of England. This event marked an end  of the Anglo Saxon era  in the history of England.