GCSE Norman booklet 1

Question 1

When was William the Conqueror crowned king of England?

Answer 1

Christmas Day, 1066

Question 2

How many housecarls were there in the Saxon army?

Answer 2

2500-3000

Question 3

What was the population of Britain in 1066?

Answer 3

2 million

Question 4

Who did Edward the Confessor marry and how was the related to the Godwins?

Answer 4

Edith, daughter of Earl Godwin

Question 5

How many Earldoms were there in Anglo-Saxon Britain?

Answer 5

4: Wessex, Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia

Question 6

Which group of nobles advised Anglo-Saxon kings?

Answer 6

The Witan

Question 7

Who was the youngest claimant to the throne of England in 1066

Answer 7

Edgar Aetheling, 14 years old

Question 8

What was the name of the Viking claimant to the English throne?

Answer 8

Harald Hardraada

Question 9

How long had Harald Hardraada ruled over Norway?

Answer 9

20 years

Question 10

Which member of the Godwin family supported Harald Hardraada?

Answer 10

Tostig Godwinson (Harold Godwinson’s brother)

Question 11

What was Duke William of Normandy’s claim to the throne of England?

Answer 11

Edward the Confessor was raised in Normandy and Harold Godwinson swore an oath to help William become king in 1064

Question 12

What was Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne of England?

Answer 12

Head of the most powerful family in England and had been Edward the Confessor’s sub-regulus

Question 13

What types of soldiers made up the Anglo-Saxon army?

Answer 13

Housecarls (professional soldiers), thegns (lords) and fyrds (peasants)

Question 14

Who raided the south coast of England before the Norman invasion

Answer 14

Tostig, who failed and fled north to wait for Harald Hardraada

Question 15

Who did William gain the support of before the Norman invasion?

Answer 15

The Pope - William was given his banner

Question 16

How big was William’s army before the Norman invasion

Answer 16

7000 soldiers, 3000 horses and 700 ships

Question 17

What mistake did Harold Godwinson make on 8th September, 1066?

Answer 17

He sent many of his soldiers home to bring in the harvest (many were farmers!)

Question 18

How big was Harald Hardraada’s invasion fleet and army?

Answer 18

300 ships and 8000 soldiers

Question 19

What was the first battle that took place between Saxons and the Viking in 1066?

Answer 19

Battle of Fulford Gate, 20th September 1066

Question 20

Who won the Battle of Fulford Gate?

Answer 20

Harald Hardraada; Earls Edwin and Morcar were defeated and fled

Question 21

When was the Battle of Stamford Bridge and what was the outcome?

Answer 21

25th September, 1066; Harald Hardraada and Tostig were killed

Question 22

How far did Harold Godwinson have to march to meet William at Hastings?

Answer 22

200 miles in just 4-5 days from York

Question 23

When was the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 23

14th October 1066

Question 24

How big were both the Saxon and Norman armies

Answer 24

6000-7000 troops each

Question 25

What types of soldiers made up the Norman army at Hastings?

Answer 25

Soldiers, archers and cavalry

Question 26

What defensive technique did the Saxons use at Hastings?

Answer 26

The shield wall

Question 27

What did William do when there were rumours he was dead at the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 27

He took off his helmet and spoke inspirational words to his army

Question 28

What tactic did William's soldiers use to make the Saxon soldiers move off Senlac Hill?

Answer 28

The feigned retreat (pretending to run away)

Question 29

Following Hastings, which town did William attack to punish the Saxons?

Answer 29

Romney

Question 30

Which leading Saxon nobles were given land to make them loyal to William?

Answer 30

Edwin, Morcar, Waltheof and Edgar Aetheling

Question 31

Which city in Devon did William beseige and how long did they last?

Answer 31

Exeter lasted for 18 days!

Question 32

What was William's attack on the north of England called and when was this?

Answer 32

The Harrying of the North and 1069

Question 33

How many died during the Harrying of the North?

Answer 33

100,000

Question 34

What was the name of the Saxon freedom fighter who rebelled against William in East Anglia?

Answer 34

Hereward the Wake

Question 35

What type of castle did the Normans built on arriving in England?

Answer 35

Motte and bailey castles

Question 36

How long did it take to build a motte and bailey castle?

Answer 36

2 weeks

Question 37

Where did the Normans build their castles?

Answer 37

In strategic places (e.g. river crossing) and in pro-Saxon areas

Question 38

When did William I die?

Answer 38

9th September 1087

Question 39

What was William II's nickname and why?

Answer 39

William Rufus because he had red hair or a red beard

Question 40

Which Norman rebelled against William II?

Answer 40

Bishop Odo in 1088

Question 41

When did William II die and how?

Answer 41

2nd August 1100, he was shot with an arrow whilst hunting

Question 42

Who became king after William II?

Answer 42

His brother, Henry I