Conquest And Control/Life under Normans Flashcards
Why was England an attractive target for invaders in the 10th–11th centuries?
- Rich mineral resources and fertile land.
- Thriving wool trade and valuable cloth exports.
- Efficient administration and Christian identity.
- Wealthy towns providing tax revenue.
Why was Edward the Confessor’s reign (1042–1066) unstable?
- Weak ruler, focused on religion (built Westminster Abbey).
- Relied on Godwin family but tensions led to rebellions (e.g., 1051).
- Norman influence at court angered English earls.
- Died childless, triggering a succession crisis.
Who were the four claimants to the English throne in 1066?
- Harold Godwinson: Powerful Earl of Wessex, crowned hastily after Edward’s death.
- William of Normandy: Claimed Edward promised him the throne; Harold swore oath to him.
- Harald Hardrada: Viking king, asserted claim via Cnut’s agreement with Magnus of Norway.
- Edgar Aetheling: Young blood relative (grandson of Edmund Ironside), lacked support.
Why did William of Normandy believe his claim was valid?
- Distant cousin of Edward (through Emma of Normandy).
- Claimed Edward promised him the throne in 1051.
- Alleged Harold swore oath in 1064 to support his claim (Sources 4–5).
- Pope supported his invasion.
How did Harold prepare for invasion in 1066?
- Built a large navy to block Norman forces.
- Raised an army using housecarls (elite troops) and fyrd (levied soldiers).
- Weaknesses: Fyrd was inexperienced, and navy couldn’t stay mobilized indefinitely.
What happened at the Battle of Stamford Bridge (September 1066)?
- Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson invaded Northumbria.
- Harold marched north, surprised, and defeated them.
- Hardrada and Tostig killed, but Harold’s army was weakened.
Key reasons William won the Battle of Hastings (October 1066)?
- Harold’s exhaustion: Army marched south after Stamford Bridge.
- Norman tactics: Feigned retreats broke Saxon shield wall.
- Luck: Harold killed by arrow/melee (Bayeux Tapestry).
- Leadership: William rallied troops; Harold’s death caused collapse.
Keywords to remember
- Housecarls: Elite professional soldiers.
- Fyrd: Levied peasant army.
- Sub-regulus: Deputy ruler (Harold’s role under Edward).
What was the “Tostig interlude,” and how did it impact Harold?
- Tostig (Harold’s exiled brother) allied with Harald Hardrada, raiding England in May 1066.
- Harold’s forces repelled Tostig, but it diverted attention from Normandy.
- Tostig later joined Hardrada’s invasion in September.
How did William prepare for invasion (May–September 1066)?
- Assembled 7,000 troops (including cavalry/archers), 3,000 horses, and 700 ships.
- Trained troops extensively; used prefabricated materials for quick castle-building.
- Waited for favorable winds at Saint-Valery.
How did Harold react to William’s landing?
- Rushed 200 miles from York to London in 4–5 days.
- Gathered a new fyrd army but lacked experienced troops.
- Ignored advice to wait, marched to Hastings (overconfident after Stamford Bridge).
What was the feigned retreat tactic, and why was it effective?
- Normans pretended to flee, luring English to break shield wall.
- English fyrd (inexperienced) chased, were cut down by Norman cavalry.
- Crumbled Harold’s defenses.
Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?
- Tactics: Feigned retreats, cavalry charges.
- Leadership: William rallied troops; Harold died.
- Luck: Harold’s army exhausted from Stamford Bridge.
- Preparation: Norman troops better trained/equipped.
Key sources for Hastings and their biases?
- William of Poitiers (Norman): Praises William’s leadership.
- Bayeux Tapestry (Norman-made): Ambiguous about Harold’s death.
- Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (English): Brief, less detailed.
What were William’s five methods to establish control after Hastings?
- Terror (e.g., Harrying of the North).
- Military presence (castles, garrisons).
- Patronage (land grants to loyal Normans).
- Concessions (e.g., allowing some English earls to keep titles).
- Legality (coronation, continuity with Edward’s reign).
How did William secure his coronation (December 1066)?
Marched to London, terrorizing Kent (burned Romney).
- English nobles (e.g., Edwin, Morcar) submitted after fearing violence.
- Crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, despite chaos during the ceremony.
Who was Earl Waltheof, and why was he significant?
- Last major Anglo-Saxon earl (Northumbria).
- Joined rebellions (1069, 1075) but later swore loyalty.
- Executed in 1076—only English earl William killed.
What was the Harrying of the North (1069–70)?
- Brutal suppression of rebellions: burned crops, homes, and killed civilians.
- Aim: Make the north uninhabitable to prevent future revolts.
- Orderic Vitalis claimed 100,000 died (disputed by historians).
Why did William build castles?
- Strategic: House troops, suppress rebellions (e.g., York, Pevensey).
- Symbolic: Remind English of Norman dominance.
- Built motte-and-bailey castles (quick, wooden, later stone).
Who was Hereward the Wake?
- English rebel leader in East Anglia (1070–71).
- Allied with Danes, based at Ely.
- Eventually pardoned; seen as a nuisance, not a threat.
What caused the Revolt of the Earls (1075)?
- Norman earls (Roger of Hereford, Ralph de Gaël) + Waltheof plotted.
- Motives: Power grievances, Danish support.
- Failed: Waltheof betrayed them; rebels exiled/executed.
How did William use patronage to control England?
- Gave land to loyal Normans (e.g., Fitz Osbern, Odo).
- Allowed some English (e.g., Edwin) to keep titles temporarily.
- Married niece to Waltheof to secure loyalty.
What was the Peace of Abernethy (1072)?
- Treaty with Scotland’s King Malcolm III.
- Malcolm recognized William as overlord; expelled Edgar.
How did William centralize power?
- Replaced Anglo-Saxon earls with Norman barons.
- Used sheriffs to enforce laws.
- Domesday Book (1086) to track wealth/taxes
Who were William’s key deputies?
- Bishop Odo: Half-brother, ruled Kent, built Bayeux Tapestry.
- William Fitz Osbern: Cousin, Earl of Hereford, crushed rebellions.
What was the significance of Pickering Castle?
- Built during Harrying of the North.
- Showed dual role of castles: military base + intimidation.
Who succeeded William?
- William Rufus (William II): Given England (disliked Robert).
- Robert Curthose: Given Normandy.
- Henry I: Later seized both (1106).
How did Henry I consolidate power?
- Defeated Robert at Tinchebrai (1106).
- Ruled England + Normandy.
- Issued Charter of Liberties to appease barons.
What was the role of sheriffs?
- Enforced laws, collected taxes.
- Replaced Anglo-Saxon thegns with Normans.
How did William control the Church?
- Replaced English bishops with Normans (e.g., Lanfranc).
- Used Church to legitimize rule (coronation).
Why did Norman barons rebel?
- Land disputes (England vs. Normandy).
- Loyalty split between Rufus/Robert.
Legacy of Norman control?
- Feudal system strengthened.
- English nobility replaced.
- Castles/churches rebuilt in Norman style.
Golden rules William might give successors?
- Use terror to crush rebels.
- Build castles to dominate.
- Reward loyalty (land/titles).
- Control Church for legitimacy.
What was the Act of Homage in the feudal system?
- Vassal knelt, clasped hands, and swore the Oath of Fealty.
- Lord accepted the oath, symbolizing loyalty and service.
- Religious act—breaking it risked divine punishment.
How did primogeniture change inheritance under the Normans?
- Anglo-Saxon: Land divided among sons.
- Norman: Eldest son inherited all land to maintain large estates.
- Strengthened baronial power and royal control.
How did Royal Forests enforce Norman control?
- Created hunting reserves (e.g., New Forest).
- Forest Law: Banned hunting; punished offenders (blinding).
- Hated by English—deprived of food/sport.
What was the role of Marcher Lords?
- Controlled Welsh borders (e.g., Chester, Shrewsbury).
- Extra powers:
- Built castles without permission.
- Made local laws.
- Raised private armies.
How did William use sheriffs to centralize power?
- Replaced Anglo-Saxon sheriffs with Normans.
- Duties:
- Collected taxes.
- Presided over shire courts.
- Raised armies.
What were the courts in Norman England?
- King’s Court: Serious crimes (murder, treason).
- Shire/Hundred Courts: Land disputes, theft.
- Lord’s Court: Tenant issues.
- Manor Courts: Village disputes.
How did trial by ordeal work?
- Hot iron: Carry iron; if wound healed = innocent.
- Cold water: Sink = innocent (holy water rejected sinners).
- Administered by priests (divine judgment).
What was trial by battle?
- Introduced by Normans for serious crimes.
- Accuser vs. accused (or champions).
- Victory = divine favor.
- Could end in death or mutilation.
How was law enforced without police?
- Hue and cry: Community chased criminals.
- Tithing: 10–12 men responsible for each other’s crimes.
- Murdrum fine: Hundred fined if Norman killed.
What was the Domesday Survey (1085–86)?
- Recorded land ownership/value post-Conquest.
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Aims:
- Resolve disputes.
- Maximize tax revenue.
- Track military obligations.
- Excluded northern areas/London.
Why did the Church support Norman rule?
- Legitimized kings (coronations, divine right).
- Landowners: Provided knights/soldiers.
- Administered oaths/trials (ordeals).
How did Henry I reform inheritance abuses?
- Issued Charter of Liberties (1100).
- Promised fairer treatment of barons/heirs.
- Reacted to Rufus’ exploitative wardships.
What was government by writ?
- Short written orders sent nationwide.
- Replaced earls’ regional autonomy.
- Increased royal standardization.
How did knights differ from Anglo-Saxon thegns?
- Swore oaths of fealty.
- Required military service (40+ days).
- Part of formal feudal hierarchy.
What were constables/watchmen?
- Constables: Enforced laws, managed stocks.
- Watchmen: Enforced curfew (often ineffective).
- Unpaid/part-time roles.
What was the murdrum fine?
- Hundred fined if a Norman was killed and murderer not found.
- Deterred violence against Normans.
- Funded royal treasury.
Why keep Anglo-Saxon shires/hundreds?
- Efficient tax collection/local governance.
- Symbolized continuity (legitimized Norman rule).
- Eased transition for English populace.
How did the Harrying of the North (1069–70) impact the economy?
- Burned crops/homes; made land uninhabitable (“waste” in Domesday).
- York sacked; trade disrupted.
- Reduced taxable wealth in the region.
What evidence shows the decline of freemen post-Conquest?
- Domesday Book: Records fewer freemen; many reverted to villeinage.
- Villeins owed labor to lords, losing freedom to farm independently.
How did castle/cathedral building affect the economy?
- Short-term: Used forced English labor (no wages).
- Long-term: Employed craftsmen/soldiers, but wealth flowed to Normans.
What were the long-term economic benefits of Norman rule?
- Security: Reduced invasions → trade growth.
- European ties: Wool/cloth trade with Flanders expanded.
- Jewish moneylenders: Boosted commerce via loans.
Why did Jewish moneylenders matter economically?
- William invited them to manage royal finances.
- Provided loans to merchants/traders, stimulating business.
How did population growth reflect economic recovery?
Back:
- By late 1090s, villages/towns expanded.
- Trade/wealth increased as Norman control stabilized.
How did land ownership change in villages after the Norman Conquest?
- Anglo-Saxon lords replaced by Norman lords (e.g., Hoddesdon held by King William, Count Sussex).
- Domesday Book shows nearly all English landowners lost property.
What were the social classes of peasants in Norman villages?
- Freemen: Paid rent; declined post-Conquest.
- Villeins: Worked lord’s land; bound to village.
- Bordars/Cottars: Poorer, less land.
- Slaves: 10% in 1066; declined under Normans.
How did the Harrying of the North affect villages like Pickering?
- Value dropped from £881 (1066) to £11 (1086).
- Land described as “waste” due to destruction.
What does Wharram Percy reveal about Norman changes?
- Anglo-Saxon village taken by Percy family.
- Wooden → stone buildings; higher rents.
- Social shift: Norman lords, French language imposed.
What were peasant diets like?
- Staple foods: Rough rye bread, pottage (bean/pea stew).
- Meat: Rare (smoked/salted).
- Drinks: Weak beer (water unsafe).
How did rich diets differ from peasants’?
- White bread (wheat), roast meats (pheasant, swan).
- Spices masked spoiled meat.
- Few vegetables; fruit preserved in honey.
What were burgesses?
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Town citizens with rights:
- Freedom of movement.
- Trial in town courts.
- Could become freemen after 1 year.
How did Nottingham change under the Normans?
- New castle (1067–68) → growth.
- French Borough: Normans lived here.
- Saturday market: Split Norman/English sections.
What were guilds?
Norman-introduced merchant/craft societies.
- Controlled trade quality, prices, wages.
- Apprenticeships: 7-year training to master crafts.
Name 5 common town jobs in Norman England.
- Blacksmiths: Tools/weapons.
- Bakers: Strict bread laws.
- Armourers: Custom armor.
- Moneylenders: Often Jewish.
- Barbers: Haircuts + surgeries!
How did apprenticeships work?
- 7-year training under a master.
- Journeyman: Paid daily wages post-training.
- Masterpiece: Proof of skill to become master
What was a ploughland?
- Land ploughed by 8 oxen (Domesday measure).
- Hoddesdon had 40 ploughlands (wealthy village).
How did Nottingham’s markets reflect tensions?
- Weekday market: Anglo-Saxon (original).
- Saturday market: Norman-added (avoided fights).
What were burgess responsibilities?
- Pay taxes.
- Serve as watchmen.
- Join town militia.
