Norman Conquest

Question 1

How was sovereignty gained?

Answer 1

The Norman Conquest is a case where sovereignty was acquired through a clear conquest.

Question 2

Origins of the Norman Conquest

Answer 2

Having taken a vow of chastity, Edward the Confessor had no successors to his throne at the time of his death. Thus, three bachelors stepped up to contend for the role. Harold Godwinson, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, Harald Sigurdsson of Norway, and William of Normandy, a Viking and Edward’s nephew. Harold Godwinson was chosen by the Witenagemot at the time due to his locality as an Anglo-Saxon. They believed it would be in their best interests to appoint a King that would cause as little change to their existing systems as possible.

Question 3

Event

Answer 3

Following Harold being crowned King, Harald Sigurdsson unsuccessfully invaded England from the North. Following this shortly after, William of Normandy invaded England from the South. Having just fought Harald on the other side of the country, Harold and his army had little resources and energy to fight the Normans. On the 14th of October 1066 at what came to be known as the Battle of Hastings William of Normandy killed Harold, and the Norman’s thus conquered England. On Christmas Day of 1072 William was the undisputed ruler of England, having continued their invasions across the country.

Question 4

Key legal changes after Norman Conquest

Answer 4

1. Stronger Central Government (Courts of the King were established and gradually began to assume functions that were traditionally carried out by the moots. Legal methods gradually became more formalised, and the govt became more conscious about keeping written legal records (eg. Domesday book))
2. Establishing the Feudal system (!)
3. Legal language (latin became the language of the written law + norman-french the language of the courts -> over centuries English returned)
4. Trial by battle -> introduced as a way of settling disputes, relying on divine intervention - didn’t last long

Question 5

What was the Feudal system

Answer 5

• By conquest the King became the ultimate owner of all land in England: he held “radical title”, “imperium” or “sovereignty” over the land
• Anyone who “owned” land actually owned a lesser title to the land (“dominium”) that the king permitted the person to have
• The crown still owns radical title over all the land in England