A Norman Kingdom and ‘Angevin Empire’ Flashcards
Why was there a rush for the throne in 1066 when Edward died?
He did not have children - there was a rush for the throne with strong contenders willing to fight for England’s land and wealth
Who wanted to be king in England 1066? (3)
- William Duke of Normandy
- Harold Godwinson
- Harald Hardrada
What was strong about William Duke of Normandy’s claim to the throne?
He claimed that both Edward and Harold Godwinson had agreed he should take the throne
What was strong about Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne?
He was the most powerful man in England and the Witan supported his claim to the throne
What was strong about Harald Hardrada’s claim to the throne?
He was the Viking ruler of Denmark; stated that as Vikings had conquered England for many years he should be king
Describe the series of events that led to William Duke of Normandy becoming King (3)
The day after Edward’s death the Witan elected Harold Godwinson as king. They crowned him immediately but that did not stop Harald and William planning invasions to take the throne:
- September 1066: Harald Hardrada was defeated by King Harold at the Battle of Stamford Bridge
- 14 October 1066: King Harold was defeated by William Duke of Normandy
- Christmas Day 1066: William Duke of Normandy was crowned king
How did King William control the English? (4)
William faced rebellions which he put down fiercely. He kept control by:
- Giving Normans land in return for loyalty and support
- Each Norman baron and lord had his own knights and soldiers to keep the peace
- Giving supporters top jobs in the Church
- Encouraging Norman barons to build castles to control the whole of England
Where did William spend half his time and why?
William spent half of his time in France to secure his control and power in Normandy.
Who was in charge of controlling England when William was in France?
Barons and lords
How did England change under the Normans? (3)
- French customs were introduced
- French became the language of those in power
- The Normans built hundreds of new churches, cathedrals and monasteries
What happened when William the Conqueror died in 1087?
The Norman Kingdom was divided up between his two eldest sons. His youngest son Henry got nothing, until one of his brothers died and he became King of England. Henry then went on to defeat his other brother, and so the Norman Kingdom was again united under one man: Henry I of England and Duke of Normandy
Who did Henry marry Matilda off to?
A powerful French lord, Geoffrey of Anjou
Who seized the throne when Henry died?
A powerful noble named Stephen - many people felt he had a claim to the throne
What took place for the next 19 years after Stephen seized the throne?
There was a series of battles as Matilda fought back
In 1153, what agreement was made?
An agreement was reached that Matilda’s son, Henry, would become king when Stephen died
When did Matilda’s son, Henry, become King of England?
October 1154
Henry and his brothers are referred to as the ‘Angevins’ after their father Geoffrey of Anjou. What did the family later become known as?
the Plantagenets
Through land inherited from both his mother and father, which 4 places did Henry II have power over and what were his titles?
- King of England
- Duke of Normandy
- Count of Anjou
- Count of Maine
Which territories did Henry II gain when he married Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152?
Territories of Aquitaine which spread all the way to spain
Who was the ‘King’’s name who asked Henry II for help against another Irish ‘king’?
‘King’ Dermot of Leinster in Ireland
What happened when Henry II sent an army over to assist ‘King’ Dermot of Leinster in Ireland?
The knights and barons who went used it as an opportunity to seize land for themselves. By the mid-1170s the English controlled more land than the Irish.
What did Henry II use his control in Ireland to do?
To strengthen and build new fortifications and to develop Dublin as a centre of trade and commerce.
What benefits did the new fortifications and developing Dublin give Henry II?
This would give Henry money and extra defence against invading forces
Who became king after Henry II died in 1189?
Richard I
Which 2 places did Richard I spent a lot of his reign in?
- In France
- On crusades
Why did Richard I lose land in France?
Down to John’s scheming
Who became King after Richard I died in 1199?
John
King John lost the remaining French land and only held on to which region of France?
Gascony
Which nickname was King John given due to his poor military reputation?
‘softsword’
Who did King John face attacks from? (2)
- Those who wanted his brother, Arthur, to be king
- King Phillip II of France
Which 4 territories of the Angevin Empire did John lose?
- Brittany
- Anjou
- Normandy
- Maine
What happens in 1189 to do with the Angevin Empire?
Henry II dies and his son becomes King Richard I
What happens from 1193-94 to do with the Angevin Empire?
Phillip II of France invades Normandy and Anjou
What happens in 1199 to do with the Angevin Empire?
Richard is killed; his brother becomes King John. John and Arthur of Brittany are in conflict over land in France; Arthur is murdered.
What happens in 1199 to do with the Angevin Empire?
The Angevin Empire starts to crumble under John through bad decisions and because he runs out of money at a crucial time
What happens from 1202-05 to do with the Angevin Empire?
Philip II conquers Normandy, Anjou, Maine and Brittany
What happens in 1216 to do with the Angevin Empire?
John dies, and with the loss of Anjou and many other important French lands, this marks the end of the Angevin Empire
Why were there angry barons during King John’s reign? (4)
- John’s poor battle record meant that the Angevin Empire was reduced to control of Gascony only
- People in England had to pay high taxes to pay for attempted invasions to get French land back
- John did not listen to the barons
- The barons raised an army against John and occupied London. John needed their support to stay in power so he had to agree to their demands
What did King John sign in 1215?
Magna Carta
What did the Magna Carta do?
Promised to respect the rights of the barons and to stop unfair taxes
What are the 5 main summarised points of the Angevin Empire?
- King Edward died in 1066 and that opened up the throne to three claimants
- After the Battle of Hastings, William Duke of Normandy was crowned King of England
- England remained a territory of the Norman Empire
- Henry II expanded the empire, partly helped by his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Henry’s second son then became King John and lost all the French territories except Gascony; this marked the end of the Angevin Empire
