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Bot GPT 3.5 1. Succession crisis: The Norman Conquest was sparked by a succession crisis following the death of Edward the Confessor, the King of England, in 1066. He had no direct heir, leading to a power struggle among various claimants to the throne.
2. Claim by William, Duke of Normandy: William, Duke of Normandy, claimed that Edward the Confessor had promised him the English throne. He believed he had a legitimate right to rule England and invaded the country to assert his claim.
3. Battle of Hastings: The decisive Battle of Hastings in 1066 between the forces of William, Duke of Normandy, and King Harold II of England sealed the Norman Conquest. William's victory at Hastings allowed him to consolidate his rule over England.
4. Papal support: William received papal support for his invasion of England, further legitimizing his claim to the throne. The backing of the Pope provided a religious justification for the conquest and helped secure the loyalty of the Norman nobility and clergy.