3.11 William Becoming King Flashcards
1
Q
What were the events that happened between William winning Battle of Hastings on 14th October, and being crowned King on 25th December? (9)
A
- Garrison of Norman soldiers left at Hastings and William went to Bonney to punish them for fighting him.
- W moved to Dover - surrendered quickly. Fortified town + left garrison of soldiers.
- W moved to Canterbury - citizens promised loyalty.
- W advanced to London but fought off so went to Southwark .
- N troops sent to Winchester to take control of Royal Treasury and surrender of Edith (queen). Harolds sons fled.
- November - Edgar crowned with support of Witan and Archbishop Stigand.
- W set out to London again.
- December - at Berkhamstead, Earls, Edgar, Bishops + other leading men swore loyalty to W.
- 25th December - W crowned King.
2
Q
Who crowned William? Why?
A
William refused to be crowned by Archbishop of Canterbury and so was crowned by Archbishop of York.
3
Q
What were the strengths of William and the Normans when he became King? (4)
A
- Experienced castle builders => could build Motte and Bailey castles quickly to provide protection
- Had land on both sides of English channel (but can’t be 2 places at once)
- Often laid waste to lands of rebels - killed livestock + destroyed farmland => strong tactic
- W had promised to give English land to N who fought for him at Hastings
4
Q
What were the weaknesses of William and the Normans when he became King? (2)
A
- Didn’t have many soldiers in England - 7000, compared to English population of 2 million
- W had promised to give English land to N who fought for him at Hastings
5
Q
What were opportunities for William when he became King - things in England that could help him? (5)
A
- Well-organised and efficient local government with land divided into Hundreds and Shire-reeves to carry out King’s orders
- Pope disapproved of Stigand being archbishop of Canterbury who was loyal to AS royals => threat in meantime
- Strong navy (but no ready-made army)
- Christian country with many newly-built parish churches
- Normans = opposed to owning slaves on religious ground but it was still very common in England
6
Q
What were threats for William when he became King - things in England that could challenge him? (11)
A
- Many noblemen killed at BoH but many landowners still alive
- King of Scotland = known to provide help + shelter to rebels
- Welsh = frequently carried out border raids on E town => Harold recently crushed some raids
- In North - many people of danish descent => likely to support Danish invasions
- Some of Harold’s sons still alive
- Earls Edwin And Morcar => lots of land in North - far from London
- The Witan = a threat if don’t support William
- Alternative and maybe more popular claimants to throne
- Lack of knowledge of English land + language
- Potential problems in Normandy in his absence
- Needed to keep his men happy
7
Q
What actions did William need to take in order to secure the throne? (3)
A
- Reduce threats posed by other claimants
- Prevent English attacks against him
- Get backing of English Church + Witan to be crowned
