Norman conquest Flashcards
when did Normans begin to arrive in Italy?
early 1000s
when was the Norman conquest of Sicily, how long did it take?
from 1060-90, it took 30 years to take control
what was the make-up of Sicilian society in the mid 1050s?
made up of 9 political divisions, with each using mercenaries in their armies and the normans often fought on either side, sometimes against each other
how did the normans get to Sicily in the first place?
they were mostly exiles from normandy who never returned
what was the difference in coinage in Sicily?
fragmentation of coinage, with massive variation, the Lombard provinces used gold and silver whilst byzantine used bronze and silver. muslim coinage used was small gold coins and glass coins
what was the difference economically between South Italy and England?
south Italy was a good place to raise funds as it was flushed with cash, whereas in England it didn’t have the same strength in market
what was a Norman method control in administration in Sicily
in Sicily the normans kept the local administrators in their positions to maintain peace and reduce chance of rebellion, they also knew better than the normans what they were doing
what was the Norman method of control in administration in England?
William the conquer replaced local head with his own loyal men
how did the normans in England change social status?
as well as the introduction of there feudal system, the elites would speak French whilst the common folk spoke old English which was a key identifier of social class
