Life Under the Normans Flashcards
what system did the normans use
feudal system
in what order does the feudal system go
king
nobles
knights
peasants
what did the peasants have to give to the knights in return for land and protection
food and services
what did the knights have to give the nobles in return for land
protection and military service
what did the nobles have to give the king in return for land
money and knights
what was the act of homage
publicly showing honour respect and loyalty to person above you in feudal system
what was oath of fealty
swearing loyalty to your lord
what was different about kings control in the feudal system of anglo saxon and norman
king had more control and could take away land
king decides on who lands pass to
king takes money from land if heir not old enough
what was different about land ownership in the feudal system of anglo saxon and norman
in norman land is shared between 200 barrons and bishops compared to 6 earls.
this meant that they were not powerful enough to challenge king
what was similar and different about how lands were controlled in feudal system of anglo saxon and normans
4000 knights and anglo saxon thegns controlled land in both. both collect taxes and do military service each year
for norman william increased military service to 40 days and introduced oath of fealty
how were peasants different in anglo saxon and norman feudal system
in anglo saxon there were freemen who held land and paid rent and taxes.
freemen declined in norman.
both had villeins which were peasants who worked the land and obeyed lord and did not leave land.
were there slaves in norman england
no
why did william create the three marcher earls
the area on the welsh border as it was lawless so william installed 3 lords to hold a big piece of land. they had more power than other lords.
what inheritance system did the normans use
primogeniture
what was primogeniture
oldest son inherited land from father
why did they use primogeniture
otherwise lands would get split up amongst all sons making it hard to control
what would the kings court hear
murder treason and rape. appeals from lower courts
what did the shire courts hear
met twice a year to hear cases like criminals, land disputes, tax disputes and rebellion
what did the Norman’s divide the shires into
hundreds
what did the hundreds courts do
looked at cases usually to do with land.
what was the oath system
where a member of the jury swore to tell the truth about the accused person
what was trial by ordeal
using the “judgement of god” to prove a persons guilt or innocence.
what were examples of trial by ordeal
trial by fire
trial by water
what were feudal courts
where tenants would bring cases against their lord or each other about land disputes or taxes.
what were church courts used for
hearing cases involving the clergy and for spiritual offences
what was a murdrum fine
if a norman was killed then the local area had to pay a heavy fine unless the murder was handed over in 5 days
what did the normans use as a form of punishment far more than the anglo saxons did
capital punishment and mutilation
what was ordeal by combat
where if a noblemen was accused of a crime then he would fight his accuser
what were the forest laws
punished those hunting in the forest with fines, imprisonment or death
why was the domesday book made
he needed to enforce a geld to fund a defending army against the threat of invasion from Denmark
what was the domesday book used as
a register of all land ownership and wealth ownership
what questions were asked in the domesday survay
“who held land at end of edward confessors reign?”
“who holds the land in 1086”
“how many hides are there”
“how many ploughs are there”
“how many villagers are there”
“how many animals are there”
“how many mills, fishponds and meadows are there”
why was it called domesday book
domesday- day of judgement
what did the domesday book show
population was 1.5-2 million
shows who owns land
shows southern land had gained value
harrying of the north had a big impact
where did 95% of people live in norman england
in villages
what were the main crops in norman england
wheat, oats, barley and rye
what was the most important building in the village
church
what were living conditions like for peasants in villages
poor housing
high mortality rates in babies
unchanged diet
what kind of jobs had to be done in the village
ploughing
sowing
threshing and winnowing
harvesting and tying
what changed in villages under the normans
all viillages had a norman lord
more stone buildings
increased rents for freemen
higher taxes
how did towns change under normans
focused on trading with europe
new norman lords and castles
markets and fairs
guilds
cathedrals
increase in population
what were burgesses
citizens who had responsibilities including being watchmen, helping the town in times of trouble and paying taxes
what was a charter
something a town could get once it became established. This is where it could apply to become independent and govern itself
