Anglo-Norman history refers to the period following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, when the Normans, led by William the Conqueror, established control over England. This era saw significant changes in governance, land ownership, and culture, as the Normans introduced their language and customs, blending them with the existing Anglo-Saxon traditions. During this time, the Anglo-Norman elite emerged, speaking a dialect of Old French that influenced the English language. The period also marked the development of feudalism in England, with the establishment of castles and the redistribution of land to Norman nobles, shaping the social and political landscape for centuries to come.