Norman England 1066-88 Flashcards
What was the Domesday Book?
a survey of every town in England for tax purposes
What was the financial significance of Domesday book?
- Many of William’s tenants in chief had special deals that meant they didn’t have to pay geld tax on some of their land.
- It’s likely that William had a plan to reverse these privileges as a way of extracting more revenue from his tentants.
- The way that the Doemsday book is laid out, it allowed the King to see oppurtunities to increase revenue whenever a tenant died or forfeited land.
What was the military significance of the Domesday book?
The council that William held about the Domesday book was primarily called to discuss ways to counter a new Viking threat in 1085
It didn’t record knight service but it could be used to monitor how many soldiers each tenant could provide.
What was the legal significance of the Domesday book?
The Domesday book included many legal cases of land. They had a role in sorting out legal disputes over land, this was very important for William’s claim to be a just and fair king.
Who wrote the Domesday book?
The information was written up by monks called scribes.
Who collected information for the Domesday book?
Appointed men called commissioners would go around and find who owned what and would return back to the king.
Why did the Church provide all clerks and record-keepers?
Because most people were illiterate
Why did William replace Church Hierarchy with Normans?
The Church was extremely powerful both in Anglo-Saxon and Norman culture, William believed it needed to be kept under control.
Who replaced Archbishop Stigand?
Lanfranc
Why was Archbishop Stigand corrupt?
- He was accused of simony, giving out jobs in exchange for personal gain.
What were Archdeacons?
New administrators brought into the Church to oversee and control parish priests.
What were some of Lanfranc’s reforms?
Harsher enforcement of Church rules on clergy, making celibacy (no marriage) compulsory.
- Replaced all English churches with Norman churches within 50 years after 1066
What did Normans think of slaves?
They thought slavery was wrong and sometimes freed slaves.
What % of Anglo-Saxon England were peasants?
80%
What affect did feudalism have on peasants
It reduced the number of free peasants and tied them closer to complete dependancy on their lord
What happened to thegns?
The thegns were destroyed as a class, and replaced by the vassals of the tenants-in-chief.
What was paid to the king in return for land?
Homage
Who was William’s regent in Normandy?
His wife, Matilda
What was the Feudal System?
This was where everyone that had land ultimately depended on the Kingv
What was Royal Demesne?
Land held by the crown
What were the Forest Laws?
This was a law put in place by William that reserved land for hunting.
How did the Forest Laws help William establish control?
- These restricted areas acted as a symbol of dominance to locals, this may have even restricted their main access to food which showed the power of the King. This led to resent.
- The King could distribute paid licenses to hunt in these royal forests, which brought in extra revenue from his people. He could this money to build extra castles and fund his armies so he could defend against rebellion.
Describe the role of a Norman sheriff
The Sheriff now only answered to the King, so they were undisputed leader of their shire. The King required them to keep close control over their shires and those who failed him would forfeit the role.
As the King’s representatives, they were a symbol of the Crown’s power.
What did Norman aristocracy think of Anglo-Saxons?
They considered themselves as far superior, for instance Norman clergy threw out Anglo-Saxon relics.
Describe key aspects of Norman culture
Chivalry - this idolised the knight and created a set of moral guidelines for battle, for example William wouldn’t kill captured enemies
Buildings - Within 50 years of 1066, every Anglo-Saxon church and Cathedral and Abbey had been rebuilt in Norman Fashion
Penance - This was a way of forgiving yourself, Normans would give money to Church to avoid eternal dalmatian in hell
What language would Norman aristocrats speak?
French
Who was Odo of Bayeux?
William’s Half Brother.
Why was Odo finally imprisoned?
He took knights without permission
Explain why William Rufus was able to defeat the rebellion in 1088
People were against the rebellion - they didn’t like Bishop Odo, so opposed him
William had God’s support - Lanfranc was on William’s side
Robert was weak - he stopped supporting Odo, not showing up to the battle. His own father said he wasn’t King material
Why was there tension between William and Robert?
Robert had been trying to attack William. In 1079, When they met on the battlefield, William was wounded by Robert, was shown mercy and humiliated.
