Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

history gcse > anglo saxons > Flashcards

anglo saxons Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® U.S. History flashcards GCSE Religious Studies - Edexcel Route A flashcards European History 101 flashcards GCSE Religious Studies - Eduqas Route A flashcards AP® European History flashcards GCSE Geography - AQA flashcards AP® World History flashcards World History 102 flashcards U.S. History 102 flashcards World History 101 flashcards
1
Q

Name the five main features of the Anglo-Saxon social system.

A

king, earls, thegns, peasants (ceorls + unfree peasants) , slaves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What % were slaves in Anglo-Saxon society?

A

10%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Who were the thegns?

A

They were minor landowners and were the warrior class (equivalent to knights).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How many thegns were there in in England 1060?

A

5,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is an earl?

A

They were major landowners.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What was an earls role in society?

A

They would advise the king on matters of state and govern large areas of England for the King.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What was the main role of the Anglo-Saxon king?

A

To protect his people from attack and to give the people laws to maintain safety.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What did every boy have to do at the age of 12 in Anglo-Saxon England?

A

Swear an oath of allegiance to the King.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What power did Anglo-Saxon kings have?

A

They could make laws. Control the production of silver pennies. Owned huge land estates that brought in money for him and provided him with land to give to his followers. He could raise armies and command them. He decided when and how much tax was to be paid, e.g. the geld tax.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What was Danelaw?

A

The North of England. It was called Danelaw because the North was settled by Danes (Vikings).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why did Danelaw limit the power of King Edward the Confessor?

A

Danelaw had a different culture to that of the South, they were prone to ignore the orders of King Edward.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What limited Edward the Confessors’ power?

A

Danelaw and the earls

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Who was the most powerful earl in the early part of Edward’s reign?

A

Earl Godwin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What was the Witan?

A

A council of nobles that advised the king.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

As well as advising the King, what was the Witan responsible for?

A

Advising the king and selecting a new one

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Who else were an important part of national/central government?

A

Earls

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What was the economic role the earls had in governance?

A

Responsible for collecting taxes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What was the justice role the earls had in governance?

A

They oversaw justice and legal punishments in their earldoms.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How did the earls have a strong military power?

A

They had hundreds of thegns who could fight for them.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What were the earldoms divided up into?

A

Shires

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

The shires had a social role. What was it?

A

It had a court to trying cases and giving out punishment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

The shires had a political role. What was it?

A

Each shire had a shire reeve, who was the King’s representative.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

The shires had a economic role. What was it?

A

Each shire had a burh (fortified town) which was the centre of trade.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

The shires had a military role. What was it?

A

Each shire provided troops for the fyrd (military).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What was the role of a shire reeve?

A

Collected taxes and administered justice within his shire

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What was the general fyrd?

A

The general fyrd gathered men to fight who didn’t travel outside their local area

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What was the select fyrd?

A

The select fyrd gathered men to fight anywhere in England for the king.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Who made the laws for the people’s protection?

A

The king and his representatives.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is a wergild?

A

This was a payment to the family of a murder victim from the criminal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

How much was the wergild to be paid for the death of a thegn?

A

1,200 shillings was paid to the family of a thegn.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

The wergild was introduced to prevent what?

A

Blood feuds (a domino effect of endless revenge).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Another part of the legal system was ‘collective responsibility’. What was collective responsibility?

A

Every man was responsible for each others actions within their tithing (small community).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What was the ‘Hue and the Cry’?

A

The members of the tithing (small community) would be responsible to hunt down a criminal within their community.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What would happen to the tithing (10 households) if they did not capture the criminal?

A

Everyone would be fined.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Name four features of the Anglo-Saxon economy?

A

Tax, towns, overseas trade, stable currency.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

Who controlled the minting of coins?

A

The King

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

How often were coins recalled for minting?

A

Every 5 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Why did minting empower the king?

A

He could control and regulate the economy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Taxes were raised by the geld tax. What was the geld tax?

A

Geld tax was a tax paid to defend against the Danes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

How much money was usually raised from the geld tax across the country?

A

£6,000 (3.4 million today).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

What % of the population lived in towns?

A

10%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
42
Q

What two cities had more than 10,000 people living in them?

A

London and York

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
43
Q

Anglo-Saxon England traded with lots of countries in Europe. what was the most common export?

A

Wool

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
44
Q

How were Anglo-Saxon Churches different to European churches?

A

there was a focus on Celtic Saints, priests could marry, monasteries took more of a community role.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
45
Q

How did the Godwins gain/maintain so much power?

A

They gained earldoms around the country.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
46
Q

What earldom did Harold Godwinson control?

A

Harold Godwinson controlled the Earldom of Wessex.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
47
Q

What earldom did Harold’s brother Tostig Godwinson control?

A

Tostig controlled the Earldom of Nothumbria.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
48
Q

What earldom did Harold’s brother older brother Gyrth Godwinson control?

A

Gyrth Godwinson controlled the Earldom of East Anglia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
49
Q

How did so many earldoms allow the Godwin family maintain so much power?

A

The rents for the lands they owned gave them lots of money.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
50
Q

The Godwins had a large army which helped them maintain power. Why did they have such a large army?

A

They had hundreds of thegns working for them.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
51
Q

Who did Harold Godwinson’s sister Edith marry?

A

Edith Godwinson married King Edward the confessor.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
52
Q

The Godwin family was also powerful due to military successes. Where were they successful in battle?

A

Wales

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
53
Q

Who did the Godwins defeat in Wales?

A

Gruffudd ap Llywelyn.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
54
Q

How did the military success give the Godwin family more power?

A

It massively increased their reputation and made potential rivals scared to challenge their power.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
55
Q

There was a massive rebellion against Tostig Godwinson in Northumbria. What was the economic causes?

A

Too much taxation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
56
Q

What was the political causes?

A

Tostig was friendly with the king of Scotland, an enemy of the North. Tostig’s was a southerner and Tostig assassinated high-ranking Northumbrian nobles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
57
Q

What were the social causes?

A

The north was ‘Danelaw’ and were no used Tostigs southern, Saxon ways.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
58
Q

How did Harold Godwinson, react to the rebellion against his brother Tostig in the North?

A

Harold and Edward the Confessor did not support Tostig. They blamed him for the rebellion and Tostig fled to Europe in exile.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
59
Q

How did Tostig react to his brother not supporting him?

A

He was furious and joined up with the King of Norway, Harald Hardrada.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
60
Q

Before Edward the Confessor died, Harold was shipwrecked in Normandy. who did he befriend?

A

William of Normandy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
61
Q

In Normandy Harold swore an oath. what was this oath?

A

Harold promised to support William as the next King of England when Edward dies.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
62
Q

What did Harold swear his oath on?

A

Holy relics.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
63
Q

Who were the four Claimants to the throne?

A

Harold Godwinson, Harald Hardrada, William of Normandy, Edgar the Aethling.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
64
Q

What was Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne?

A

He was ‘promised the throne’ by Edward the Confessor on his deathbed. The Witan also voted for him to be king.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
65
Q

What was William’s claim to the throne?

A

He was Edward the Confessors cousin and he was promised the throne by William years before.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
66
Q

What was Harald Hardrada’s claim to the throne?

A

Harald Hardrada claimed that his father was promised the throne.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
67
Q

Did anyone believe Harald Hardrada’s claim to the throne?

A

No one believes him.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
68
Q

What was Edgar the Aethlings claim?

A

He was Edward’s nephew.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
69
Q

Which one has been considered least significant?

A

Edgar the Aethling.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
70
Q

Who became king after Edward died?

A

Harold Godwinson

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
71
Q

Who elected Harold Godwinson King?

A

The Witan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
72
Q

After Harold became King, who tried (but was unsuccessful) to invade first?

A

William of Normandy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
73
Q

Why could he not invade at this point?

A

The winds were blowing in the wrong direction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
74
Q

Who actually invaded first?

A

Harald Hardrada

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
75
Q

What was the battle that took place in 1066?

A

Battle of Gate Fulford

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
76
Q

Who was Gate Fulford fought between?

A

EnglishEarls Edwin and Morcar vs Harald Hardrad and Tostig

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
77
Q

How many troops did Edwin and Morcar have?

A

6,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
78
Q

How many troops did Harald Hardrada and Tostig have?

A

9,000

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
79
Q

Who won the battle?

A

Harald Hardrada and Tostig

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
80
Q

How did Harald Hardrada win the battle?

A

Harald used his best troops to attack Edwin and Morcar’s troop from the side. The English were then forced onto a marsh and were cut down.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
81
Q

The next battle was at Stamford Bridge. Who was it fought between?

A

Harold Godwinson vs Harald Hardrada and Tostig.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
82
Q

How did the Battle of Gate Fulford contribute to Harald Hardrada losing the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

A

Harald Hardrada’s army was exhausted from the Battle of Gate Fulford.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
83
Q

Who won the battle?

A

Harold Godwinson

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
84
Q

What was Harald Hardrada’s army doing when they were attacked by Harold Godwinson?

A

Celebrating their victory at Gate Fulford.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
85
Q

What did Hardrada’s army not have with them when they were attacked?

A

Their Armour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
86
Q

How much of Hardrada’s army was left behind in the ships at the time of Stamford Bridge?

A

A third

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
87
Q

Which army was larger, Godwinson’s or Hardrada’s?

A

Godwinson’s

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
88
Q

How did Godwinson’s get so big?

A

Godwinson collected troops when travelling North from London.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
89
Q

Harold Godwinson had housecarl soldiers with him. Who were they?

A

England’s elite, best troops.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
90
Q

How did they help Harold Godwinson win the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

A

They were extremely skilful and experienced troops. They were able to break through Hardrada’s lines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
91
Q

After the Battle of Stamford ended, what happened in the South of England?

A

William of Normandy invaded the South of England.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
92
Q

What did William of Normandy do when he first arrived in southern England?

A

Plunder the South of England and built a motte and bailey castle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
93
Q

Why were the battles of Gate of Fulford and Stamford Bridge significant? (think effect on the Battle of Hastings)

A

The battle exhausted the Saxons and reduced their numbers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
94
Q

What did Harold not have enough time to collect due to his speedy and exhausting march south to fight William?

A

Archers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
95
Q

What was the name of the battle were Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy met?

A

Battle of Hastings

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
96
Q

Who were William of Normandy’s elite? (best troops)

A

Heavy Calvary (knights)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
97
Q

Who were Harold Godwinson’s Elite? (best troops)

A

Housecarls (heavy infantry)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
98
Q

Who were William of Normandy’s basic troops?

A

Archers and foot soldiers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
99
Q

Who were Harold Godwinson’s basic troops?

A

Foot soldiers (fyrd)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
100
Q

How did the Battle of Stamford Bridge help William win the Battle of Hastings?

A

It exhausted the English troops before the battle and gave William time to prepare for the battle, raid the South of England and build a castle.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
101
Q

What battle strategy did Harold use and did it work?

A

Harold built a shield wall at the top of the hill. This was very successful as Williams calvary could not break through it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
102
Q

What was the rumour that was going around during the battle?

A

That William had died. He lifted his helmet to show he was alive.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
103
Q

What tactic did William deploy to win the battle?

A

He pretended to run away with his calvary. The shield wall broke to chase the calvary, but they simply turned around and cut them down.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
104
Q

How did Harold die?

A

Arrow through the eye.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
105
Q

After the Battle of Hastings was William in complete control of the country?

A

No

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
106
Q

Why did he not attempt to take London straight away?

A

It was heavily fortified.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
107
Q

What did William do instead of marching on London immediately after Hastings?

A

He raided and attacked towns and villages all around the south of England.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
108
Q

How did this help William’s chances of taking London and the rest of the country?

A

It was frightening and it intimidated the English.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
109
Q

Eventually the Anglo-Saxon Earls agreed to meet William. Where did they meet him?

A

Berkhamstead

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
110
Q

Which three importannt earls met William at Berkhamstead?

A

Edwin, Morcar, Edgar the Aethling

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
111
Q

What did the earls do at Berkhamstead?

A

They swore allegiance (loyalty) to William of Normandy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
112
Q

Why did the Earls submit to William? (LEARN ALL)

A

The Earls were frightened of the consequences if they didn’t. William was also a very strong military leader and they had seen what had happened after the battle of Hastings with William raiding villages etc. Edgar the Aethling was the only other alternative and he was unsure how to go about becoming king.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
113
Q

Why was William generous to them allowing the Earls to keep their titles?

A

He only had 5,000 men left and the English could raise men at the fyrd. William might not win the next battel.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
114
Q

In return to the oath of allegiance, what did William promise in return?

A

William allowed them to keep their titles and promised to be a gracious Lord to them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
115
Q

When was William crowned King of England?

A

Christmas day 1066

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
116
Q

What were the Marcher Earldoms?

A

The Marcher Earldoms were Earldoms set up along the borderlands with Wales. “March” means border in Welsh

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
117
Q

What were the defensive reasons behind the establishment of the Marcher Earldoms?

A

Defence against Welsh invasions into England.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
118
Q

The Marcher earldoms were established for colonisation. Who did William want to colonise these areas?

A

Normans in France

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
119
Q

Why did William want colonisation of Normans?

A

To ensure the areas remain loyal to him as King.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
120
Q

What were the Marcher Earls allowed to build freely in their Earldoms?

A

Castles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
121
Q

Why did William want castles built there?

A

To help control the people there.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
122
Q

What was another important reason why William established the Marcher Earldoms?

A

To reward his powerful supporters who fought with him at Hastings.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
123
Q

What was the name of the type of castle that William and the Normans constructed after the conquest?

A

Motte and Bailey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
124
Q

Why was it important William did this?

A

To make sure they stay loyal to him and do not go home to Normandy and leave William in England without support.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
125
Q

What were they made of?

A

Wood

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
126
Q

Which castle was the exception and was made out of stone?

A

The Tower of London

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
127
Q

What was the motte?

A

A man-made hill

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
128
Q

What was on top of the motte?

A

The keep, where the Lord live. It was the best protected part of the castle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
129
Q

What was the bailey?

A

The courtyard where soldiers, horses and servants lived.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
130
Q

What wooded structure surrounded the bailey to protect it?

A

A palisade (a wooden wall)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
131
Q

What further surrounded the entire castle for additional protection?

A

A ditch which was sometimes filled the water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
132
Q

Why did William order the castles’ construction?

A

To provide a defence against the Saxon rebels, to intimidate Saxons to ensure they are controlled.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
133
Q

What did the Anglo-Saxon English think of the castles and why?

A

They hated them as they were seen as a symbol of their opression.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
134
Q

What did Edwin and Morcar do in 1068?

A

Started a rebellion against William’s rule

135
Q

Who were Edwin and Morcar?

A

Edwin and Morcar were brothers and Anglo-Saxon Earls

136
Q

What were the political causes of the Edwin and Morcar rebellion?

A

William promised Edwin his daughter’s hand in marriage. He did not follow through with this and Edwin was furious. Morcar’s earldom was reduced in size and given to Copsi an ally of William who had swore loyalty to him at Berkhamstead.

137
Q

Who was Odo of Bayeux?

A

William’s half brother

138
Q

How did Odo of Bayeux help cause the Edwin and Morcar rebellion?

A

Odo seized Anglo-Saxon land unlawfully and allowed soldiers to rape Anglo -Saxon women.

139
Q

What were the economic causes of the Edwin and Morcar rebellion?

A

William issued a heavy geld tax in 1066. The English were angry that this money was being spent in Normandy and not England.

140
Q

What were the military causes of the Edwin and Morcar rebellion?

A

The castles were very intimidating to the Anglo-Saxonsand seen as a symbol of their repression. The castles were resented and help cause the Edwin and Morcar Rebellion.

141
Q

Did the rebellion last a long time?

A

No it was a very brief rebellion

142
Q

What happened to Edwin and Morcar?

A

They surrendered to William when they realised they couldn’t win.

143
Q

What does this tell us about the leadership in the rebellion?

A

Weak

144
Q

What was Edwin and Morcar unable to do which caused the rebellion to fail?

A

Edwin and Morcar were not able to unite the North against William who all had different grievances with the King.

145
Q

What had William done which helped the rebellion fail quickly?

A

He had built castles and had a strong army which intimidated the Anglo-Saxons into ending the rebellion early and for some to not join in the first place.

146
Q

Who was Edgar the Aethling?

A

The nephew of Edward the confessor and a 1066 claimant to the throne.

147
Q

What did Edgar do after William won at Hastings?

A

Sworn an oath of loyalty to William of Normandy

148
Q

How did Robert Cumin help cause the ‘Edgar the Aethling’ rebellion?

A

Cumin attacked saxon towns and villages on his way to take over his Earldom which angered the locals.

149
Q

Who was Robert Cumin?

A

A Norman Earl

150
Q

Edgar the Aethling became the figurehead of the rebellion. Who else joined the rebellion?

A

King Sweyn of Denmark sent and army led by his brother

151
Q

Why did Sweyn send an army?

A

To get rich from raiding and perhaps take some land.

152
Q

Why was it particularly dangerous to William that a Danish army was in the North of England?

A

The North is Danelaw and would have welcomed the Danes.

153
Q

Who else backed Edgar from a foreign country?

A

King Malcolm of Scotland

154
Q

Why did Malcolm back Edgar?

A

Malcom was married to Edgars sister

155
Q

What other causes were there to the Edgar the Aethling Rebellion?

A

Heavy taxes, castles and Norman cruelty

156
Q

How did William deal with the Danish threat in the Edgar the Aethling Rebellion?

A

He paid alot of money to pay them to leave England. They accepted but it was very expensive.

157
Q

How did William deal with the Anglo-Saxon English rebels?

A

He laid waste to York and built a castle

158
Q

How many soldiers did William loose in the Edgar the Aethling Rebellion?

A

3000

159
Q

Was the Edgar the Aethling Rebellion a major threat to William?

A

Yes

160
Q

Why?

A

The invasion of the Danes was a huge threat and the cost of removing them was very high. Also it showed that the Anglo-Saxon Earls were very difficult to control.

161
Q

What caused the Hereward the Wake Rebellion?

A

An Anglo-Saxon thegn called Hereward the Wake returned to England from abroad to find his land had been taken from him.

162
Q

Which foreigners joinedHereward against William?

A

The Danes joined Hereward

163
Q

Which Anglo-Saxon Earl joined Hereward?

A

Morcar

164
Q

What was the difference between the Hereward the Wake Rebellion and the Edgar the Aethling Rebellion in terms of the Danish participation?

A

King Sweyn led the Danish personally in the Hereward the Wake Rebellion.

165
Q

The Edwin and Morcar and Edgar the Aethling rebellions took place in the North. Where did the Hereward the Wake Rebellion take place?

A

In the South at a place called Ely.

166
Q

What type of warfare did Hereward the Wake deploy in his rebellion?

A

Guerrilla War (ambushes)

167
Q

How did William deal with the Danes in this rebellion?

A

The Danes were paid to leave (again).

168
Q

Hereward was hiding in the town of Ely. How did the Normans break into Ely to defeat Hereward?

A

The Normans bribed local monk to show them the way in.

169
Q

What happened to Hereward?

A

Escaped and never seen again.

170
Q

Who did William manage to capture?

A

Morcar

171
Q

After the Hereward the Wake rebellion what did William realise that he must change in terms of landownership?

A

He could not have Anglo-Saxons owning large areas of land. They had to be owned by Normans loyal to him.

172
Q

In order to make himself appear like the King to everyone in England to prevent rebellion. What did William begin to do?

A

He carried out more royal ceremonies to show him as the ‘real’ king.

173
Q

After the northern rebellions of Edwin and Morcar and Edgar the Aethling, what was the name of what William did in revenge?

A

The Harrying in the North

174
Q

What was the ‘Harrying of the North’?

A

William sent his troops North and devastated the land. They lay waste into the area between the River Humber and the River Tees

175
Q

How many people were killed?

A

100,000 people were killed

176
Q

What happened to the crops in the North?

A

They were confiscated

177
Q

What did William’s soldiers then poor into the soil?

A

Salt

178
Q

What did both of these things result in?

A

Mass starvation

179
Q

What happened to people’s homes?

A

They were burned down.

180
Q

What did this result in Winter?

A

People froze to death

181
Q

What % of Yorkshire could be described as a wasteland as a long-term consequence of Harrying of the North?

A

60% of Yorkshire as classed as wasteland.

182
Q

Why would this have affected William in a negative way as well?

A

There is less money to take as taxes.

183
Q

How long did it take for the North to recover from this?

A

20 years

184
Q

Did the Harrying of the North work as a method of stopping rebellion in the North?

A

Yes it did

185
Q

How did the Harrying of the North help prevent another Danish attack in the North?

A

People there hardly anyone there for the Danish to ally with

186
Q

How do we know that this worked?

A

In the Hereward the Wake Rebellion a few years later, King Sweyn had to invade the south because there was no one in the North

187
Q

After the Anglo-Saxon rebellions, what did William decide about who should own the land?

A

It should be Normans not Anglo-Saxons because they coudn’t be trusted

188
Q

How did William take land away from Anglo-Saxons to give to his men?

A

If they had acted against the king (in anyway) he confiscated their land. Sometimes the Anglo-Saxon had done very little wrong, but William still said they forfeited their land.

189
Q

Who would often illegally steal land from the Anglo-Saxons?

A

Sheriffs

190
Q

Did William do anything to punish the sheriffs?

A

Very little

191
Q

What percentage % of land was owned by Anglo-Saxons by 1087?

A

5%

192
Q

The land was taken from the Anglo -Saxons and given to Normans called?

A

They were high ranking nobles, usually barons, that were given large regions of England to control, these areas of land were called fiefs. In exchange for this land the tenants-in-chiefs would pay taxes and provide soldiers (knights) for the king.

193
Q

Who were the tenants-in chiefs and what role did they have in landholding?

A

The free peasants (ceorls) largely became unfree peasants (serfs)

194
Q

Did the Normans landowners (tenants-in-chiefs) have to pay tax?

A

No

195
Q

Sometimes they did. When was this?

A

When inheriting land from their fathers

196
Q

Did the remaining Anglo-Saxons have to pay tax on their land?

A

Yes, high taxes

197
Q

What did many Anglo-Saxons have to do if they couldn’t pay?

A

They often had to sell

198
Q

What could a Norman tenant-in-chief now do if a thegn died in his territory?

A

Prevent the land going to Anglo-Saxon’s heir and give it to whoever the tenant-in-chief wants, usually a friend or ally.

199
Q

Was this legal?

A

Yes, completely legal.

200
Q

What did this result in relation to the thegn class?

A

The thegns were destroyed as a class.

201
Q

What happened to the ceorls after the Normans took over?

A

Coerls (free peasants) became very rare.

202
Q

William had lots of things to maintain his power. How did military strength and castles help to maintain William’s power in England?

A

The castles and troops were used to defeat rebels and intimidate the Anglo-Saxons

203
Q

How did journeys around England help to maintain William’s power in England?

A

With William’s frequent presence around the country showed the people he was in charge and that he is taking an interest in all parts England.

204
Q

How did oath-taking help to maintain William’s power in England?

A

Religion was a vitally important part of Anglo-Saxon Culture. Swearing under oath with bible was a significant promise that cannot be broken without betraying God.

205
Q

How did coinage help to maintain William’s power in England?

A

The Kings head was on the back of the coin which reminded the people who was in charge and that the coins belong to the crown, thus increasing his control.

206
Q

What did William stress in relation to his right as a king to help maintain his power?

A

He made sure people knew he was the rightful successor to the Edward the Confessor as he was a blood relation and Harold Godwinson was not.

207
Q

How did landownership help maintain William’s power in England?

A

William owned all the land and could give it to people and take it away. This ensured people to stay loyal because they either wanted to have or keep their land.

208
Q

What was different about this revolt in comparison to the previous rebellions in terms of participation?

A

It was primarily led by Normans rather than Saxons. Although one of the three was Anglo-Saxon.

209
Q

Who were the three leaders of the Revolt of the Earls?

A

Ralph de Gael, Roger de Breteuil and Waltheof.

210
Q

Which of the three were Anglo-Saxon?

A

Waltheof

211
Q

Who was the leader of the rebellion?

A

Ralph de Gael

212
Q

Why did Ralph de Gael rebel?

A

The decrease in power and wealth of his earldom since he inherited it from his father.

213
Q

Why did Roger de Breteuil rebel?

A

Roger also resented the fact that much less land was handed down to him than what was given to his father

214
Q

Why did Waltheof rebel?

A

Waltheof was power hungry and rebellious. He was willing to rebel in order to gain more power, wealth and influence.

215
Q

William was absent in Normandy at the time of the rebellion starting. How did this help also cause the rebellion?

A

It encouraged the rebels to challenge for more power.

216
Q

Which foreigners joined the rebellion?

A

The Danes

217
Q

There was also military causes of the rebellion. what were they?

A

The earls lost some rights to control their armed forces.

218
Q

What did the Danes do when they arrived?

A

They raided the East coast

219
Q

Did the Danes actually join up with Ralph, Roger and Waltheof

A

No

220
Q

Why?

A

They came too late to join with the Rebels

221
Q

When did the Danes leave?

A

They fled back to Denmark when William came back from Normandy

222
Q

What was the outcome of the Revolt of the Earls, 1075?

A

The rebellion failed to take off and it collapsed.

223
Q

Why did the rebellion fail? (LEARN ALL)

A
  1. There was far less Anglo-Saxon support than the rebels expected.
  2. The Danes arrived too late to join up with the Norman rebels.
  3. Roger de Breteuil was excommunicated by Archbishop Lanfranc which forced him to retreat.
  4. Loyal Norman lords mobilised their armies to prevent the rebels from attacking William’s troops.
224
Q

What was the Feudal System that was introduced by William in England?

A

The Norman social system of land distribution and service for that land.

225
Q

What was at the top of the Feudal system?

A

The King

226
Q

The king would give land to the tenants-in-chief (barons) to hold. what would the tenants -in-chief provide in return for that land?

A

They would provide knights for the king when he needed them. They would also pay him money when they inherited land from their father.

227
Q

What was the tax paid to the king called when the tenant-in -chief inherited his land from his father?

A

A relief

228
Q

How would William use reliefs to gain control over his tenants-in-chief?

A

He would charge small amounts to loyal Barons and higher for disloyal.

229
Q

The tenants-in-chief (barons) would then divide up their land and give to knights. What would the knights provide in return for this land?

A

They would provide ‘knights service’ i.e. fight for the Baron/King when it was needed.

230
Q

The knights would then divide and give up their land to peasants. What would the peasants do for the knights?

A

They would provide ‘labour service’ i.e. work on the land for their lord.

231
Q

What was homage and why was it used?

A

Promising/providing service to a lord. e.g. barons pay homage to the king, knights pay homage to the barons.

232
Q

What was forfeiture and why was it used?

A

Forfeiture was punishment for breaking the relationship between the landowner his/her tenant. e.g. if a baron did not pay his tax to the king. Punishments were usually confiscation

233
Q

How was landholding important to feudalism?

A

The king owned all the land and it was ‘rented’ to the barons/tenants-in-chief. This meant all the power was given by the king, thus increasing loyalty.

234
Q

what was labour service and who was expected to do it?

A

The peasants had to work the lords lands in exchange for protection and land for themselves to farm.

235
Q

Who was Lanfranc?

A

The Norman Archbishop of Canterbury

236
Q

What was the political role of the Archbishop of Canterbury

A

Major political advisor to the king.

237
Q

What did he do in England?

A

He made lots of changes to the Church in England.

238
Q

What did the Lanfranc do to all the Anglo-Saxon bishops and archbishops?

A

Replaced them with Normans

239
Q

What rank did Lanfranc introduce, below a bishop but above a priest to help control Anglo-Saxon priests?

A

Archdeacon

240
Q

What new messages were the Norman bishops and archdeacons ordering the priests to tell the people?

A

That the Normans were good for England

241
Q

What did Lanfranc make all the new bishops do who sat in Church councils?

A

Swear homage to William. William now had the right to approve any decisions of Church councils.

242
Q

After Lanfranc’s changes/reforms who had the right to choose new bishops?

A

The King

243
Q

What rules did Lanfranc make for regular priests?

A

They were not allowed to marry

244
Q

How did Lanfranc change the church building?

A

He replaced the wooden churches and instead made them with stone in the Norman style.

245
Q

Lanfranc changed the location of Cathedrals. Where did they get moved to?

A

To important urban centres. They used to be in remote places.

246
Q

What changes did Lanfranc make to the trial of priests?

A

Priests were now only tried in Church courts by bishops as judges, not regular ‘hundred’ courts for normal people.

247
Q

William did lots of things to centralise his power. What does centralising power mean?

A

The King having the most power.

248
Q

William centralised his power by using the Royal demesne. What was this?

A

The land land directly owned by the King

249
Q

How did Williams Royal demesne compare to Edwards the Confessors?

A

It had increased in size under William compared to Edward’s.

250
Q

How did the Royal demesne centralise William’s power?

A

It raised lots of money for William to pay for solders.

251
Q

How did the Feudal System centralise William’s power?

A

The tenants-in-chiefs owed homage to the king. This meant the king could take their land away which kept them loyal.

252
Q

What did the tenants-in-chief also provide for the king to help maintain power?

A

Knights

253
Q

What tax could the King demand from Anglo-Saxon people to raise money to help him centralise his power?

A

Geld tax

254
Q

Norman tenants-in-chiefs did not have to pay the geld tax. But what did they pay and when?

A

A relief tax and it was paid when a tenant-in-chief inherited land from his father.

255
Q

What happened to the power of the earls in Norman England?

A

They had their land reduce to weaken their power. William did this to ensure they did not pose a problem for the king.

256
Q

How did this help William centralise his power?

A

There were less people with a large amount power who could challenge him.

257
Q

Explain the role of regents in the running of the government.

A

The regents were people who ran the country when the king was abroad, most notably Normandy.

258
Q

Who did William use as his regents?

A

William FitzOsburn and Bishop Odo, were his first regents. Their brutality helped cause the Edwin and Morcar rebellion. Afterwards William used his wife Matilda as regent.

259
Q

What was the role of Norman Sheriffs?

A

Sheriffs now had more power than under Anglo-Saxon rule. They organised defence, collected taxes and administered justice.

260
Q

Why were Norman sheriffs unpopular?

A

They were given a share of the Kings taxes that they collected. Therefore, they were motivated to collect more than expected. They were also responsible to the land changes, taking land from Anglo-Saxons.

261
Q

What were the Forest Laws?

A

Forest laws were introduced, protecting the animals were best to hunt and also prohibiting damage to the vegetation that the animals needed.

262
Q

What did the forest laws prevent Anglo-Saxon people from doing?

A

The Anglo-Saxon peasants were not allowed to take wood or hunt animals in the woods. This made their lives very difficult.

263
Q

Why were Forest Laws so unpopular?

A

The peasants depended on the forests for food and fuel. The harsh punishments implemented made the Anglo-Saxons feel further threatened.

264
Q

What were the punishments for people ‘poaching’ (killing the animals)?

A

Fines, Mutilation or death.

265
Q

How did the king gain more power from the forest laws?

A

He gained power from the money from fines of people breaking the forest laws. Also, it showed he can just take land and say its ‘his’ whenever he wanted.

266
Q

What is the Domesday Book?

A

This was a recording of all the people, property and wealth of the entire kingdom.

267
Q

In 1085, why did William order its construction?

A

to investigate the landholdings of each shire: who held what land, what taxes they owed the king and whether they could pay anymore.

268
Q

What was the economic significance of the Domesday Book?

A

By working out how much money was available to tax, he was able to increase efficiency of taxation that resulted in more money.

269
Q

What evidence is there that the Domesday book was heavily used for taxation?

A

There was a heavy geld tax in 1086.

270
Q

What did the Domesday Book allow William to realise when issuing this geld tax?

A

The Domesday Book made William realise he could take more money this time

271
Q

Usually the Norman tenants-in-chiefs/barons didn’t have to pay the geld tax. Did they have to pay it this time in 1086?

A

Yes they had to pay.

272
Q

What was the name of the usual tax that the tenants-in-chiefs/barons had to pay and when did they have to pay it?

A

A relief. This is when they inherited land from their father

273
Q

What happened to the relief payments after the Domesday Book?

A

They went up.

274
Q

What is ‘wardship’ and how did the Domesday book increase the income for this?

A

Wardship was when the king looked after a young baron who inherited his land at a young age and the King would take the barons income from land as a payment.

275
Q

How did the Domesday Book help William financially with wardship?

A

The Domesday book allowed the king to get as much money as possible.

276
Q

What was the military significance of the Domesday Book?

A

William was able to identify how many soldiers were available to him if there is another Danish invasion.

277
Q

William wanted to bring more soldiers over from Normandy. How did the Domesday Book help with this?

A

It allowed William to pay for them and to see who could house them when they were in England.

278
Q

What was the legal/courts significance of the Domesday Book?

A

The Domesday Book therefore had a role in sorting out legal disputes over land.

279
Q

Why was this so important to William?

A

It was very important for WIlliam’s claim to be just and air.

280
Q

What was the Norman cultural approach towards buildings?

A

Large and impressive.

281
Q

Within how many years had every church, cathedral and mostly abbeys been totally replaced and built in the Norman style?

A

50 years

282
Q

How could these Norman buildings be described in comparison to Anglo-Saxon buildings?

A

They were made of stone and much bigger.

283
Q

The Normans had built the longest cathedral in Europe, which one was it?

A

Winchester cathedral

284
Q

The Normans had built the biggest stone keep in Europe, which one was it?

A

Tower of London

285
Q

What was the attitude of the Normans towards the Anglo-Saxon religious culture?

A

Anglo-Saxon Culture was looked down on and seen as primitive.

286
Q

What did the Norman clergy (churchmen) do to the Anglo-Saxon relics in their churches/cathedrals? (relic is a religious object)

A

They threw them out saying they were useless

287
Q

What did the Norman bishops do to the tombs of famous deceased Anglo-Saxon bishops?

A

They destroyed them

288
Q

What did the Norman bishops refer to these deceased Anglo-Saxons bishops as?

A

They called them ‘idiots’!

289
Q

The Normans had a cultural of inheritance. Who would the Normans pass their inheritance to?

A

Their Eldest son

290
Q

What is the name of this inheritance policy?

A

Premogeniture

291
Q

How is this different to what the Anglo-Saxons did?

A

the Anglo-Saxons would split their land amongst their children

292
Q

What language did the new Norman aristocracy speak?

A

French

293
Q

How did the aristocracy view themselves compared to the native English?

A

They viewed themselves as superior.

294
Q

Who was Bishop Odo?

A

The half-brother of King William

295
Q

How much did he contribute towards the Battle of Hastings for his brother William?

A

100 hundred ships for the invasion

296
Q

How did William reward for his help?

A

He was given the Earldom of Kent

297
Q

When William was away from England (after becoming King) what position did William give Odo?

A

Regent of England

298
Q

What was this position?

A

Power of the ruler of the country whilst the king was away

299
Q

What did Odo do when he was regent?

A

He stole land off the English and built castles

300
Q

What was Odo’s reputation amongst the ANglo-Saxon English?

A

He was hated

301
Q

As well as stealing Anglo-Saxon land, who else’s land did Odo steal?

A

Church land in Cantebury

302
Q

Who complained to King William about his brother Odo?

A

Archbishop Lanfranc

303
Q

What did William decide?

A

William made Odo give the land back

304
Q

In 1079, where was Odo sent by William to protect from the Scottish attack?

A

Northumbria

305
Q

What did Odo do, thou, when he got there?

A

Odo laid waste to the land, this was land he was supposed to be protecting.

306
Q

What happened to Odo in 1082?

A

He was arrested by his brother William and sent to prison.

307
Q

Why was he arrested?

A

He apparently tried to take some knights out of England to go to Rome, but it is likely his reputation so William had to do something

308
Q

What did William do on his own deathbed?

A

William released Odo

309
Q

Who was William eldest son?

A

Robert Curthouse

310
Q

What did his eldest’s sons nickname ‘Curthouse’ mean’?

A

Short stockings

311
Q

How did Robert react to this nickname?

A

Badly as it was humiliating

312
Q

What was William’s eldest son’s personality like?

A

Robert was physically strong but arrogant and impulsive

313
Q

What did William I say Robert was not ready to do and why?

A

To take control of Normandy because of his immaturity

314
Q

In 1077, what happened with Robert and his younger brothers?

A

Roberts brothers poured water over his head as a prank. A genuine fight broke out which William had to break up and Robert was furious

315
Q

Why was Robert angry with his father after this incident?

A

Robert felt like his father did not punish his brothers properly for the offence

316
Q

What did Robert do as a consequence of his father not punishing the brothers?

A

Robert rebelled against his father.

317
Q

What did Philip II of France give Robert to help him fight his father?

A

A castle in Normandy

318
Q

When William I and Robert fought in battle, what happened when they met on the battlefield?

A

William was unhorsed by Robert

319
Q

In 1080, Robert and his father William I made up. Who organised the reconciliation?

A

His mother

320
Q

What effect did this have on William?

A

William was humiliated

321
Q

In 1087, William I died in a horse accident. Who did William decide should succeed him as King of England and Duke of Normandy?

A

His second son William Rufus was to become William II of England. His eldest son Robert Curthouse was to become Duke of Normandy.

322
Q

How did Robert react to his father’s decision on the succession of his territories?

A

He was furious. He thought he should be King of England and the Duke of Normandy

323
Q

Why did Robert argue that he should be in control of both territories?

A

Because of primogeniture. This means the eldest son takes everything

324
Q

Robert then decided to rebel against his younger brother William II to take the throne of England from him. Who did Robert ally with?

A

He allied with his uncle bishop Odo.

325
Q

Why did Bishop Odo join with Robert against William II of England?

A

He thought he could control Robert much more easily and empower himself

326
Q

What is primogeniture?

A

Rule when the eldest son inherits everything from the father

327
Q

William II (Rufus) defeated Robert and Odo. How did William II’s personal skills help defeat them?

A

William Rufus was a strong and inspiring military leader unlike Robert or Odo

328
Q

How did the Norman barons help William win?

A

they supported William not Robert

329
Q

Why did they support William II (Rufus)?

A

They didn’t want two different rulers of England and Normandy.

330
Q

What was significant on why the people supported William II?

A

This was significant because Robert and Odo had very little support in England where as William had lots of support

331
Q

Who did the Anglo-Saxon English support?

A

William II (Rufus)

332
Q

Odo also made lots of tactical mistakes. What were they?

A

Odo did not install enough men and provisions for his defence of Pevensey Castle. Odo’s defence only lasted 6 weeks.

333
Q

Which other castle did Odo make the same mistake?

A

At Rochester Castle

334
Q

Why was Odo so poor in his tactical approach to the rebellion?

A

He had been in prison for 5 years and was simply unprepared.

history gcse (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions