Conquest And Control Flashcards
Who was the strongest claimant to the throne? Why?
Godwinson:
•novissima verba
•witan
•strong/rich
•subregulus
Harald Hardrada’s claim to the throne?
•descendant of king Cnut
•dad was promised throne
•powerful king of Norway
Weakest claimant to the throne? Why?
Aethling:
•no money
•no army
•only great nephew of Edward
William of Normandy’s claim to the throne
•post obitum
•strong and rich
•Godwinson oath of support
•distant cousin of Edward
•papal banner
What is post obitum
Inherit a written bequest after the death of a king
What is novissima verba
Choice of new king by dying king (death bed)
How was Hardrada prepared in the battle of Fulford gate
• 300 ships and 8000 men
• good tactics
Why did Godwinson discharge his army after 3 months of waiting
He sent his army (made up of fyrds aswell) home to collect the harvest
How did William prepare to fight Gowdwinson
•got people on his side (promised pay)
• papal banner
Why did the vikings loose the battle at Stamford Bridge
They were unprepared, waiting for hostages.
How many troops did Godwinson miss after the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
He missed 20-30,000 extra troops
What was Godwinson’s army composed of?
Housecarls: trained soldiers
Fyrds: untrained farmers
What earls fought in the battle of Fulford gate
Edwin and Morcar
What was a tactic done by the English in the battle of Hastings?
Shield wall
What broke the shield wall in the battle of Hastings
Feigned retreat
What was the Norman army composed of?
Archers, cavalry, footmen (infantry)
Why was Godwinson’s army tired during the battle of Hastings?
They had marched 300 miles south after the battle of Stamford Bridge
Why did Godwinson stay on foot during the Battle of Hastlings
He wanted the army to feel more united, but this was bad as he could not communicate tactics
What did the Normans use to communicate in the battle of Hastings?
Flags called ‘gonfanon’ to signal to each other
Where had William of Normandy rested when arriving to England
Roman Fort at Pevensey (safe and secure)/ time to rest and prepare
Why was the papal banner important
It showed that William of Normandy was getting God’s support to win and conquer England.
Why did the Norman earls revolt?
They were losing power due to the marcher earldoms, Roger the Gael was mad that William did not support his marriage, unfair inheritance laws
How did William respond to the Edwin and Morcar revolt?
William captured town in Mercia and laid siege in London. After their submission William gave them back their titles and lands
Why did the Harrying of the North occur?
•prevent it being used as a base for invasion
•cumin was killed
•deter guerilla warfare from the Anglo Saxons
How did William handle the East Anglia revolt?
•Morcar’s title and taken, imprisoned
•Edwin killed
•peace with Hereward, keep his land
•Swein took loot, made peace and went home
How did William deter the revolt in the southwest by Gytha and her sons?
William laid siege to Exeter and forced them to surrender
Why were castles built?
•show control (dominance)
• base for soldiers/ keep watch
•put down rebellions
•legal matters: courts
•start an attack e.g Harrying of the North
•In Welsh border: deter attacks and conquer wales
