The death of the Saxon king Edward, known as Edward the confessor, on 5 January 1066 resulted in a vie for leadership. Edward had no heirs. He was succeded by King Harold, a relative, who died the same year in the battle of Hastings. His succesor, William, known as the conqueror, is documented as a Norman king, though his family did not originate from Normandy. William’s eldest son Richard was said to have been a contingent in the so called first crusade of 1096, as told; an attempt to recover the holy land from Islamic rule. Four states were established as a result of the crusades, and a crusader presence remained in the region until Jerusalem fell in 1291 when Islam defeated them. Though the eldest, Richard was ousted by his brothers, William and Henry. He died in captivity.
Henry succeded the throne when William died, reportedly in a hunting accident. Known as Henry I, he was said to have skilfully manipulated the barons in England and Normandy. He was reported to have introduced the royal exchequer, although taxation had already been introduced. He is believed to have constructed what was described as itinerent justices, which may mean local courts were established, connected to non payment of taxes.