11th Century (1000s) Flashcards
Who was King Edward the Confessor? (r.1042-1066)
- Who He Was:
- Penultimate Anglo-Saxon king renowned for his piety.
- Built Westminster Abbey.
- Died without an heir in 1066, triggering the succession crisis.
Footnote: So religious he forgot to procreate with his wife, many such cases.
Who was Harold Godwinson and why is he significant? (r.1066-1066)
- Who He Was:
- Last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
- Elected by the Witan.
- Ruled briefly before the Norman Conquest.
Footnote: Harold’s death symbolizes the end of Anglo-Saxon rule in England and the transition toward Norman influence.
What was the Battle of Stamford Bridge, who were the key figures involved, and what was the outcome? (Sept. 25 1066).
- Fought between King Harold II and Harald Hardrada of Norway
- Decisive English victory.
Footnote: Harold’s army marched 190 miles in under 5 days.
Who was William the Conqueror and why is he significant? (r.1066-1087)
- Who He Was:
- First Norman king of England.
- Known for land redistribution, establishing feudalism.
- Responsible for the creation of the Domesday Book.
Footnote: His rule fused Norman and Anglo-Saxon systems, creating the medieval English state.
What was the Domesday Book and its purpose? (1086)
- Who It Was:
- A comprehensive survey of landholdings and resources in England.
- Purpose:
- Created for taxation purposes under William the Conqueror.
Footnote: Covered ~13,000 settlements; unparalleled in scope for its time.
When was the Revolt of the Earls and who led it? (1075)
- Who It Was:
- The Revolt of the Earls was led by Norman noble Roger de Breteuil against William’s rule.
- Ultimately failed, consolidating Norman control.
Footnote: Last serious domestic revolt of William’s reign; tightened his grip on power.
Which kingdoms did Cnut the Great reign over? (r.1016-1035)
- Who He Was:
- Danish king who ruled over England, Denmark, and Norway, creating the North Sea Empire.
Footnote: Only successful unification of Scandinavia with the British Isles.
What was the Battle of Hastings, and what is its significance in English history? (Oct. 14 1066)
- Who It Was:
- Decisive battle in which William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson.
- Significance:
- Cemented the Norman Conquest of England.
Footnote: William’s victory marked the beginning of Norman rule in England.
What event in 1066 triggered the Norman Conquest of England?
- Death of Edward the Confessor with no clear heir.
- Led to competing claims by Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy, and Harald Hardrada of Denmark
Footnote: Edward died childless, leaving no clear heir, destabilizing the Anglo-Saxon monarchy.
Who was Hereward the Wake, and what is his significance? (c. 1035-1072)
- Who He Was:
- Anglo-Saxon nobleman known for his rebellion against the Normans in the Fens of East Anglia.
- Hereward means army guard in Old English, (Here = “army”, Ward = “guard”).
- Significance:
- Symbol of Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule, although ultimately unsuccessful.
Footnote: Led to William’s “harrying of the north”.
Who was Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester and what is his significance? (c. 1008-1095)
- 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.
Footnote: His continuity showed that some English clergy were spared due to loyalty or competence.
What was the Oath of Salisbury and its significance? (1086)
- What Was It:
- An oath of loyalty sworn by all landholding men to William at Salisbury, directly swearing their allegiance to him.
- Significance:
- Undermined feudal intermediaries and reinforced royal supremacy.
Footnote: Interesting to note the existence of feudalism at this time
What were some major consequences of the Norman Conquest?
- Feudal system introduced.
- French became the language of court and law.
- Domesday Book compiled (1086).
Footnote: The conquest permanently reshaped England’s culture, language, and institutions.
Who was William II (Rufus)? (r. 1087–1100)
- Who He Was:
- Successor to and son of William the Conqueror.
- Suspiciously died while hunting.
- Died in the New Forest in 1100, his brother, Henry I, immediately seized the throne.
Footnote: His death in the New Forest (1100) paved the way for his brother, Henry I, to seize the throne.
What was the Harrying of the North? (c.1069–1070)
- What It Was:
- William I’s brutal campaign to crush northern rebellions
- Involved scorched earth tactics, mass killings, and destruction of farmland
Footnote: Tens of thousands died; the devastation was so severe parts of Yorkshire remained barren for years. It ensured no major uprisings would follow.
