1.3.2 Consolidating Control of England

Question 1

Why did William need to win the support of the English earls?

Answer 1

William said that all land in England belonged to him. However, William needed to win the support of some of the English nobility, or he thought they would raise a rebel army and attack him from the north.

Question 2

How did William win the support of some of the Anglo-Saxons thegns? (2)

Answer 2

• He let the Earl of Mercia (Edwin) and the Earl of Northumbria (Morcar) keep power in their earldoms.
• One earl (Gospatric) bought an earldom in the North of England from William, however, his time was short lived and he was exiled by 1072, with his earldom given to a more loyal supporter of William

Question 3

How did William establish control by building a professional army?

Answer 3

Harold’s army had been largely made up of untrained fyrds. William established a professional army in England and paid these soldiers well with money raised from something called a ‘geld tax’

Question 4

Alan the Red (3)

Answer 4

• Alan the Red was called Alan Rufus. He was William the Conqueror’s cousin
• He is the 5th richest person in history, The land that he was given by William made him worth over $200bn.
• Alan the Red built Richmond Castle

Question 5

The pope

Answer 5

William sent gifts to the pope to thank him for his support from Rome during the invasion. In those times, having God’s support was very influential

Question 6

The Marcher Earldoms (3)

Answer 6

• The Marcher Earldoms were created to reward William’s supporters and secure the border with Wales
• Hugh d’Avranches was the Earl of Chester. He was born in Normandy. His family had given William 60 ships to use in the invasion of England in 1066
• Roger de Montgomery was the first Earl of Shrewsbury. He ran Normandy whilst William invaded England in 1066