Conquest ‘n’ control, booklet 1

Question 1

Strengths of anglo-Saxon England.

Answer 1

• wealth and economy
• minting system
• lots of arable land which made people rich.
• Good trade contacts, E.G. Scandinavia and France.

Question 2

Weaknesses of Anglo-Saxon England.

Answer 2

• poor Military (2,500 - 3,000 trained soldiers)
• Earls were too powerful, made the Kings job harder.
• constant Viking attacks.

Question 3

Edward the confessor, weak or strong?

Answer 3

He was very weak his earls had the better of him and when he did use military force over them it went wrong. Population had no faith in him.

Question 4

The godwinsons

Answer 4

Earls who together owned half of England. Richest and most powerful family. There aim was to rule England.

Question 5

December 1065?

Answer 5

Edward the Confessor was dying. This meant there was no heir to the throne. Open for the taking, this lead to conflict.

Question 6

Norman and Anglo-Saxon traditions of throne inheritance:

Answer 6

• Normans believed that promises to the throne were final and you couldn’t go back. Once named there heir - there is no change.
• Anglo-Saxons believed that the kings dying word was final and discarded everything said or promised before that.

Question 7

Edgar Aethling throne claimant 1066

Answer 7

• Closest blood relative.
• 14 in age, no Military experience, little money.
• supported due to being English and the closest relative.

Question 8

Harold hardrada claimant to throne (1066):

Answer 8

• promised English throne ages ago.
• never spent time in England
• Viking, king of Norway(very violent), supported by tostig godwinson.

Question 9

William duke of Normandy claimant to throne (1066):

Answer 9

• intelligent, distance link to Edward.
• unpopular in England.
• Harold godwinson promised to support his claim of the throne.
• Great Military experience.
• Great relations with the pope.

Question 10

Harold Godwinson claimant to the throne (1066):

Answer 10

• richest man in England, supported by his family, half of England and the witan.
• he was a ‘in law’ to the king and was deputy king for 6 years previously.
• Experienced Military leader.
• Harold claimed Edward gave the throne to him on his death bed.

Question 11

Death of Edward of the confessor the new king was:

Answer 11

Harold Godwinson. This triggered William as he was meant to of supported his claim to the throne. This also goes against Roman beliefs. As a result of this conflict between them would grow.

Question 12

May 1066 Harold was ?

Answer 12

In the south with a gathered army waiting for the Normans to invade.(they didn’t arrive as they couldn’t get across the English Channel due to weather)

Question 13

The battle of fulford gate:

Answer 13

On September 20th 1066 the English fought the Vikings. Anglos used Sheila wall which was reasonably effective however they lost the battle to well trained Vikings.

Question 14

Stamford bridge:

Answer 14

On September 25th 1066 the anglo Saxons surprise attacked the vikings which lead to there heavy victory. Harold hardrader and tostig both died, moral was high. However housecarls needed to be replaced quickly.

Question 15

The battle of haystings overview:

Answer 15

• 6-7000 men on both sides,
• some housecarls but mainly untrained soldiers.
• normans had archers, infantry, nights n horses.
• 14th October.
• Saxons had the high ground.

Question 16

Battle of haystings anglo Saxon tactics:

Answer 16

• shield wall. HC at the from the fryd at the back.
• highground
• simple for untrained soldiers.
• if shield wall broke they are very vulnerable.

Question 17

Battle of haystings norman tactics:

Answer 17

• use archers to weaken shield wall.
• infantry fight shield wall on the front line.
• use of cavalry for quick communication.

Question 18

Battle of haystings result:

Answer 18

• after a long stalemate Harold was killed and the army massacred.
• England was being conquered by normans. They then went to London to claim the capital.
• William became king.
• despite there being lots of riots.

Question 19

Saxons after the battle of haystings:

Answer 19

• army was very weak
• only claimant to throne was Edgar aethling.
• little to no housecarls

Question 20

Williams after the battle of haystings:

Answer 20

• he scared and angered the Saxons by harrying and killing people.
• He then conquered London.
• With little amount men he couldn’t fight a battle however he still captured London.

Question 21

Rebellions 1066-1069

Answer 21

• lack of unity meant William could defeat them easily.
• no trained soldiers they were just the fyrd.
• Normans did the harrying of the north to scare anglo-Saxons so they didn’t rebel again.
• William overrides these little insignificant attacks.

Question 22

Normans introduction of castles.

Answer 22

• Motte and Bailey, on a hill, village underneath.
• used for attack and defence, soldiers lived in there.
• helped control England as they could stop rebellions and they were quick and easy to put up. They were wooden. So weak but effective enough. They also looked intimidating.