2. Establishing control Flashcards
Who submitted to William in 1066? Where did they submit?
Edwin, Morcar, Archbishop Stigand and Edgar Æthling all submitted to William at Berkhamsted.
They swore oaths to obey him and gave him hostages to guarantee this
What was the March to London?
Where William took an indirect route to London, going slowly and laying waste to the land in his wake (indirect to avoid looking weak if he failed to quickly capture the city).
He also built castles at Wallingford and Berkhamsted
This was followed by the submission of the earls
What was the main issue that William had to deal with, in terms of the English? How did he deal with this?
William had to reward the loyal English who had followed him.
This was dealt with by continuing in many of Edward’s ways:
Allowing Edwin and Morcar to keep their lands
Allowing English thegns to buy back their land, provided they hadn’t fought at Hastings
He retained the English archbishops
This continuity stressed he was the rightful heir to Edward
What were the borderlands called? What was the issue with them?
The borderlands were called the Marches
There was unrest and disorder after Hastings. The Welsh lords also served as potential allies for English rebels
How did William deal with the issue of the borderlands?
He established three new Earldoms to defend the border and restore the peace. He placed the men he trusted as earls - including FitzOsbern as Earl of Hereford. These earls were rewarded for their loyalty by being exempted from tax, being able to build as many castles as they liked without the king’s permission and had complete control of law and order
In terms of a motte and bailey castle, what was the Palisade?
A fence that gave protection to the castle
In terms of a motte and bailey castle, what was the Keep?
A wooden tower which provided a lookout point, as well as an elevated point for archers against attack
In terms of a motte and bailey castle, what was the motte?
The mound of earth on which the tower was built
In terms of a motte and bailey castle, what was the bailey?
The large walled area where soldiers and animals lived
How many castles did William build during his reign? Why did he build so many?
500
They were easily to build yet difficult to attack
Why were the motte and bailey castles built?
Built in strategic locations to allow William to keep control
Used as a base for the lord - could be used as refuge in case of attack
Dominated territory brought under Norman control
Symbol of Norman power - biggest buildings in the area, and were a constant reminder of who ruled the English
What was the main issue that William had to deal with, in terms of the Normans? How did he deal with this?
He had to reward the people who’d fought for him, including the mercenaries from across Europe who he’d promised land and money to
He gave them the land of English men who’d died at Hastings, and collected a geld tax
The Godwinson’s earldoms were given mainly to William FitzOsbern and Odo, Bishop of Bayeux
