England pre 1066

Question 1

Siege

Answer 1

Attempting to force people out of a castle over a long period of time

Question 2

Government

Answer 2

Ruled by King Edward the Confessor since 1042

-divides into areas ruled by earls called earldoms eg Godwins ruled Wessex

Question 3

Lay of land

Answer 3

Most of southern England was Forest — small villages formed where land was cleared

Question 4

Society

Answer 4

Clear hierarchy

-king at the top followed by Church earls and peasants

Question 5

Religion

Answer 5

Extremely religious Roman Catholics — Pope believed to be God’s representative in the Vatican Rome

Question 6

Church

Answer 6

Extremely powerful was a major landowner made rules heard legal cases and et rules on marriage and inheritance

Question 7

Population

Answer 7

2 million majority in South

Question 8

Defence

Answer 8

King and Earls 2500/3000 professional soldiers called housecarls — also had the right to ask peasants to fight in time of need

Question 9

Wealth

Answer 9

Wealthy and a target for invasion for. vikings

• King Cnut (1016-1035 had encouraged trade with Scandinavian countries
• most advances minting system in world and a treasury that coordinated taxation and spending by government

Question 10

Strengths

Answer 10

• best minting system in world
• good trade links with Scandinavian countries due to King Cnut
• Roman Catholic so had support of rich Vatican
• good tin supply/ natural resources

Question 11

Weaknesses

Answer 11

• no castles so not defended on coast despite being main target for invasion
• rich so many Vikings targeted
• lots of forests could catch fire or conceal enemy

Question 12

Godwins

Answer 12

• controlled largest and most important earldom in England - Wessex
• also very popular among people and Godwin was a skilled military leader

Question 13

How did the Godwin’s family power increase ?

Answer 13

-marriage of Godwins daughter Edith to King Edward ans appointment of sons Swein Harold and Tostig to important positions

Question 14

What happened to the Godwins

Answer 14

After a public failing out in 1052 ( as Godwin and many other earls were unhappy with Edwards favouritism if Norman earls) Edward exiles the family but after they returned with a large army they were forced to be accepted
-Godwins. Made peace and died in Kings bedchambers in 1053

Question 15

Normandy Strengths

Answer 15

• rich area in NW France
• William proved Normandy’s strength through successful campaigns in Maine and Sicily
• William proved himself to be a strong military leader and inherited trône at 7 so had experience
• good friends with King Edward the confessor (distant cousins ) and Edward was sent to grow up in Normandy by mum Emma
• Normandy could raise own armies and demand taxes

Question 16

Normandy Weaknesses

Answer 16

• site of many violent Viking invasions
• William labelled as ‘bastard’ as Duke Robert Who dies in 1035 was not married to Williams mom Heleva
• Norman dukes had to acknowledge French kings as superior
• people attempted to assassinate William after duke Roberts death