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History Paper 2 > Anglo-Saxon England and The Norman Conquest 1060-66 > Flashcards

Anglo-Saxon England and The Norman Conquest 1060-66 Flashcards

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1
Q

What power did the King have over law-making?

Why did this make him powerful?

A

King created new laws and made sure they were enforced throughout the country

This meant that he could control what people do through the law, can dish out punishments in the name of the law.

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2
Q

What power did the King have over money?

Why did this make him powerful?

A

The king controlled the production of silver pennies used as money.

He has a lot of money himself, he can control how rich/poor someone is through taxes.

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3
Q

What power did the King have over land-ownership?

Why did this make him powerful?

A

The King owned large estates and could grant land out to his followers. He could also take land away from those who had acted against him.

He could punish/reward people by taking their land. People were scared to defy the King as he could take their land.

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4
Q

What power did the King have over the military?

Why did this make him powerful?

A

The King had the ability to raise a national army and fleet.

He is feared as he has an army at his disposal. He can threaten other countries or earls who oppose him

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5
Q

What power did the King have over taxation?

Why did this make him powerful?

A

The King decided when taxes should be paid and a national taxation system delivered this tax to him

King can control taxes therefore affect money of the public. He can increase his own income.

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6
Q

What were the duties of the people in Anglo-Saxon England?
Think about:

  • Law
  • Money
  • Landownership
A

Law - To obey the law as it was passed down through the King’s representatives

Money - to use the king’s coins. Forging coins was a very serious crime

Landownership - Land carried with it obligations to the King. The main two obligations were payment of tax and military service.

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7
Q

Describe a strength of Edward the Confessor

A

He was a respected law maker and was very religious. He is called Edward the Confessor as he ‘confessed’ his sins. These were important for Anglo-Saxon kings.

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8
Q

Describe a weakness of Edward the Confessor

A

He was not a warrior King but his earls and thegns were a powerful military force. This meant Edward relied on his earls, especially Earl Godwin to protect England from attack

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9
Q

Describe a strength of an Anglo-Saxon monarch

A

They claimed a special link to God; they were anointed as a representative of Christ on Earth. It was believed that a good King could bring God’s blessing to his country and God would guide his actions.

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10
Q

What was the Danelaw?

A

The North of the country and many people were descended from the Vikings. They accepted the kings rules but were ruled by local men and followed their own laws and customs

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11
Q

What was the Witan?

A

A council of aristocrats who would advise the King on issues of government and approved a new King.

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12
Q

What was a tithing?

A

A group of ten households that were responsible for each other’s behaviour

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13
Q

What was a hundred?

A

A unit of land. In most parts of England, it referred to 100 hides of land.

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14
Q

What were the strengths of the Anglo-Saxon economy?

A
  • Trade of wool + cloth
  • East of England good for growing crops, allowed them to be self sufficient
  • Farming was well oragnised; 6000 mills were in place
  • Trade links between York and Denmark
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15
Q

What was the influence of the church?

A

People were worried what would happen when they died, so followed the church.
The King was seen as an agent of God.

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16
Q

What was the Anglo-Saxon interpretation of Harold’s embassy?

A

Harold went over to Normandy to recover two hostages from William - Harold’s brother and nephew, Wulfnoth + Hakon

17
Q

What was the Norman interpretation of Harold’s embassy?

A

Edward commissioned Harold to go talk to William about his succession and that visit involved Harold swearing allegiance to him as future King

18
Q

Why were the Godwin family so powerful?

A

The Godwins were advisors to the King

The Godwins had huge wealth; the brothers were all Earls.

The Godwins helped Edward the Confessor become King of England

Harold was a great military leader

Edward the Confessor had married Edith, godwin’s daughter

Harold led the King’s army

Edward the Confessor was an Old and Weak king

19
Q

How did Tostig’s friendship with Malcolm (King of Scotland) lead to an uprising against him?

A

Due to this friendship, Tostig wouldn’t defend Northumbria from Scottish attacks. An example of this is when Tostig was away in 1061, Malcolm invaded and caused destruction. Rather than retaliating, Tostig agreed on peace terms which angered the Northumbrians.

20
Q

How was Tostig unjust in Northumbria?

A

He would impose new laws and abuse his powers to get rid of those who rivalled him, his enemies claimed he would even falsely accuse people of crimes in order to claim their money and land

21
Q

Why did Tostig being a southerner lead to an uprising?

A

Northumbria had always been governed by a northerner who would’ve understood the Danelaw. Usually, Anglo-Saxon Kings would leave the North to govern itself. The Northumbrians didn’t approve of this foreign person coming and telling them what to do.

22
Q

How did taxes lead to the resentment of Tostig in Northumbria?

A

Tostig taxed Northumbria heavily, which they weren’t used to. Northumbrians usually would’ve paid a lower tax so were angry at the sudden increase which made them resent Tostig.

23
Q

What triggered the uprising against Tostig?

A

The assassination of Gospatric ( a leading Northumbrian aristocrat)

24
Q

Who was crowned King on the 6th January 1066?

A

Harold Godwinson

25
Q

Why were the Witan willing to elect King Harold II so quickly?

A

To make preparations for the defence of England in suspicion that William I would act on his claim

26
Q

Why was there a succession crisis after the death of Edward the Confessor?

A
  • Biased Witan
    Witan were made up of Godwinson’s family so were going to pick him as King regardless of whether he deserved it, which left his right to throne to be questioned
  • No Heir
    Edward the Confessor had no direct heir, he had no heir. This meant people had the chance to make claims to throne.
  • Multiple Promises to the Throne
    Some sources say Edward promised William the throne. Others say Edward promised Harold it on his death band. Two powerful men both believe they should be King, which causes crisis!
27
Q

Why did Harald Hardrada win at Gate Fulford?

A

Edwin and Morcar were young and inexperienced
They faced hardened warriors well used to fighting and an excellent leader
Geography of the battle meant that any Viking attack would push them back into Marshland

28
Q

How did the battle of Fulford Gate affect the English Defense?

A

1000 lives were taken including many experienced housecarls

Edwin and Morcar are now unable to support Harold in Hastings

29
Q

What former Viking Capital did Hardrada and Tostig target?

A

York

30
Q

How many ships did Hardrada have?

A

200-300 Warships

31
Q

What was Hardrada’s trick in the Battle of Fulford Gate?

A

He sent Tostig’s less experienced fighters in first and concealed his best troops. He then sent them around for a surprise attack.

32
Q

How did Luck help the Anglo-Saxons win the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

A

Hardrada was shot in the throat by an arrow during the Battle
Hardradas army had left all their armour on board their ships that morning
Hardrada’s army was celebrating and drinking the night before the battle

33
Q

How did Viking Weaknesses help the Anglo-Saxon’s win the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

A
  • The Viking army was split in two

- Hardrada overestimated how long it would take Godwinson to march his army up north.

34
Q

How did Saxon Strength allow the Anglo-Saxon’s to win the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

A

Their army broke through the Viking shield wall
Godwinson’s housecarls were well trained professional soldiers
The English were determined to defend their country

35
Q

How many knights did William have?

A

800

36
Q

Why did the earls submit to William?

A
  • William had full control of the royal treasury
  • William destroyed everything in his path
  • William was an extremely effective leader
  • William’s route threatened to cut off London from its reinforcements from the North
  • Best warriors in England had been killed
37
Q

What was the hue and cry?

A

System of catching criminals that meant everyone had a duty to raise the alarm if they saw a crime taking place.

38
Q

What was wergild?

A

wergild?

Compensation paid to avoid blood feud

History Paper 2 (3 decks)

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