11th Century (1000s)

Question 1

Who was King Edward the Confessor, and what were his contributions to England? (r.1042-1066)

Answer 1

• Who He Was:
  
  • Penultimate Anglo-Saxon king renowned for his piety.
  • Built Westminster Abbey.
  • His death led to a succession crisis.

Question 2

Who was Harold Godwinson and why is he significant? (r.1066-1066)

Answer 2

• Who He Was:
  
  • Last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
  • Claimed the throne after Edward’s death.
  • Ruled briefly before the Norman Conquest.

Question 3

What was the Battle of Stamford Bridge, who were the key figures involved, and what was the outcome? (Sept. 25 1066).

Answer 3

Fought between King Harold II and Harald Hardrada of Norway, resulting in a decisive English victory

Question 4

Who was William the Conqueror and why is he significant? (r.1066-1087)

Answer 4

• Who He Was:
  
  • First Norman king of England.
  • Known for land redistribution, establishing feudalism.
  • Responsible for the creation of the Domesday Book.

Question 5

What was the Domesday Book and its purpose? (1086)

Answer 5

• Who It Was:
  
  • A comprehensive record of landholdings and resources in England.
• Purpose:
  
  • Created for taxation purposes under William the Conqueror.

Question 6

When was the Revolt of the Earls and who led it? (1075)

Answer 6

• Who It Was:
  
  • The Revolt of the Earls was led by Norman noble Roger de Breteuil and others against William’s rule.
  • Ultimately failed, consolidating Norman control.

Question 7

Which kingdoms did Cnut the Great reign over, and what was the significance of his rule? (r.1016-1035)

Answer 7

• Who He Was:
  
  • Cnut the Great was a Danish king who ruled over England, Denmark, and Norway, establishing the North Sea Empire.
• Significance
  
  • Integrated Norse and Anglo-Saxon cultures during his reign.

Question 8

What was the Battle of Hastings, and what is its significance in English history? (Oct. 14 1066)

Answer 8

• Who It Was:
  
  • Decisive battle in which William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson.
• Significance:
  
  • Cemented the Norman Conquest of England.

Question 9

Who was Hereward the Wake, and what is his significance? (c. 1035-1072)

Answer 9

• Who He Was:
  
  • An Anglo-Saxon nobleman and leader of resistance against the Norman conquest, known for his rebellion in the Fens of East Anglia.
  • Hereward means army guard in Old English, (Here = “army”, Ward = “guard”).
• Significance:
  
  • Became a symbol of Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule, although his rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful.

Question 10

Who was Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester and what is his significance? (c. 1008-1095)

Answer 10

• Who He Was:
  
  • The last Anglo-Saxon bishop to retain his diocese after the Norman Conquest, serving as Bishop of Worcester from 1062 until his death in 1095.
• Significance:
  
  • The only English-born bishop to keep his position under William the Conqueror.
  • Known for his piety and humility, he was later canonized as a saint.

Question 11

What was the Oath of Salisbury and its significance? (1086)

Answer 11

• What Was It:
  
  • An oath of loyalty sworn by all landholding men to William the Conqueror at Salisbury, ensuring their allegiance to him above all other lords.
• Significance:
  
  • Marked a significant step in the centralization of Norman rule.
  • Helped establish the feudal obligations and royal supremacy in medieval England.