How did William establish control (land)?

Question 1

English vs Norman feudal system: Kings

Answer 1

(English )owned most of the land, but some was owned by the Church
(Norman) William owned most of the land in England (some controled by the Church)- gave land to barons for loyalty but he could take it away

Question 2

English vs Norman feudal system: Earls, Barons/Bishops

Answer 2

(English) Earls- 6 major earldoms in 1066. The king owned the land but the earls controlled it and in return they promised to support the king. They shared out this land amongst their supporters, the thegns
(Normans) Barons/Bishops- gave land to barons for loyalty/military help but he could take it away

Question 3

English vs Norman feudal system: Thegns, Knights

Answer 3

(English) Thegns- Over 4000. Granted land to the cerols. Provided military service in exchange for looking after land for earls
(Normans) Knights- loyal to baron/bishiop for land. Served in army and granted land to peasants

Question 4

English vs Norman feudal system: Ceorls, peasants

Answer 4

(English) Ceorls (peasant freemen)- worked the land
Peasants- property of ceorls and thegns
(Normans) Peasants (freemen)- obeyed, worked the land and provided food lord of manor in return for land

Question 5

Similarities between Norman and English feudal system (3)

Answer 5

• Hiercahy
• Expectation of loyalty to those above you
• Importance of Church (witan)

Question 6

Differences between Norman and English feudal system (2)

Answer 6

• More nobels/barons who helped William rule- around 250 barons (not just a few v powerful families=more power)
• William owned all the land in England- gave land to barons in exchange for loyalty- William could take it back=more control

Question 7

How did William reward people who fought for him in 1066?

Answer 7

gave them land

Question 8

Why was William unable to retain any Norman earls?

Answer 8

They were all disloyal meaning they were replaced by Normans who fought for William in 1066/trusted

Question 9

By 1069, who held all the senior positions of the Church?

Answer 9

Normans

Question 10

In what year was the last English earl beheaded and who was he? Why was this good for William?

Answer 10

1067
Waltheof
Good for William as there were now only 2 Englishmen who held land directly from the king

Question 11

Why did William change the feudal system? (6)

Answer 11

• Reward 1066 soliders
• Break powerful earldoms and authority
• Consolidate his power
• Introduce fiscal feudalism (military service/money given for land)
• Ensure the church owned land but were also loyal to William
• Spent 3/4 of his reign outside of England- needed good control, a strong system of government and a good source of soldiers

Question 12

In what ways did William achieve his desired changes to the feudal system? (6)

Answer 12

• Landownership stayed with William= greater authority
• 1086- Church had 1/4 of land
• 3/8 lands owned by 180 tenants-in-chief
• 10 men were most powerful tenants-in-chief
• 1067- last English earl killed (Waltheof)
• Landholding was concentrated- Anglo-Saxons had land in the hands of 4000 thegns, but by 1086 only 4 English thegns

Question 13

What was the ‘forest law’ William introduced?

Answer 13

Normans created reserves such as the New Forest where Anglo-Saxons were banned from hunting in these areas as if they did they risked severe punishments such as being blinded

Question 14

How didWilliam assert his power through Royal Froests?

Answer 14

William took on massive amounts of land as Royal Forests. The Anglo-Saxons had also done this, but the Normans created more reserves such as the New Forest where 500 families were drive from their land. These areas were subject to forest law