maintaining royal power Flashcards
williams military strength
Castles as military bases: William built castles like the Tower of London to secure strategic locations and suppress rebellion. These fortifications also projected Norman power.
Standing army: William maintained a strong military presence, including his household knights and feudal levies. This deterred rebellion and ensured he could respond swiftly to threats.
Crushing rebellions: William used force ruthlessly, as seen in the Harrying of the North (1069–1070), where he destroyed villages to quash resistance. This sent a clear message about the consequences of defiance.
williams royal ceremonies
Crown-wearing ceremonies: William held crown-wearing ceremonies three times a year, at key locations like Winchester, Westminster, and Gloucester. These events were highly publicized and reinforced his image as a divinely ordained king.Took place over important Christian celebrations like Easter and Christmas. This demonstrated that he was as pious as Edward was as king
Symbolism of the coronation: His coronation on Christmas Day 1066 highlighted his legitimacy as king, blending Anglo-Saxon and Norman traditions. This reassured the population of continuity while asserting Norman dominance.
Public rituals: Ceremonies emphasized William’s power and reminded the nobility and the public of their duty to obey the king. meeting with lords even did this during times of unrest.
williams coinage and writs
Standardized coinage: William issued new coins with his image , ensuring control over the economy and spreading his authority across the realm. The coins were a constant reminder of his rule.
Royal writs: Written orders were a critical tool for governing. Writs were used to communicate royal decisions, enforce laws, and manage taxation efficiently. This centralized governance and reduced the power of local lords.
williams journeys around england
Royal progresses: William traveled extensively across England to assert his presence, particularly in regions prone to rebellion like the north and the Welsh borders. These journeys demonstrated his authority and allowed him to address local issues personally.
Strategic visits: By appearing in different regions, William reinforced his rule and reminded local populations of his power. His presence helped quell dissent and ensured loyalty from regional leaders.
owning all the land
Landholding gave William important power over his subjects- William owned all the land in England
-William chose who to give or take away land from
-William made decisions on land disputes
The creation of the Domesday Book helped William to determine who could claim certain areas of land
-William took land away from:
Rebels
Landholders who had no heirs
People who refused to pay William for the use of the land
William gave land to:
Loyal supporters
those who paid inheritance tax or money to redeem the land
William created a chain of command on landholding
this increased his royal power
He could ensure loyalty from his tenants-in-chief
He could reward or punish subjects who acted against his will with land tenure
oath taking
Salisbury Oath (1086): William summoned all landholders, including sub-tenants, to swear direct loyalty to him. This bypassed the feudal hierarchy and ensured that even those who owed service to Norman lords were ultimately loyal to the king.
Fealty from nobles and the Church: William required oaths from his barons and clergy, ensuring their allegiance. Breaking an oath was seen as a grave offense, securing his control. biggest on was when a viking invasion in 1068.V
legitimate succesor
Claim to the throne: William’s claim was based on an alleged promise from Edward the Confessor and Harold Godwinson’s oath of loyalty to him in 1064. This narrative was reinforced by propaganda like the Bayeux Tapestry, portraying him as the rightful heir.
Coronation: William’s coronation solidified his legitimacy, combining Anglo-Saxon and Norman traditions to appeal to both groups. The Church’s involvement further strengthened his claim by presenting his rule as divinely sanctioned.( because harold broke holy oaths between edward and william and falsely claimed the throne god had chosen wiliam to put things right and defeat him.
