Norman England

Question 1

What does normanisation mean?

Answer 1

Norman change

Question 2

What was the feudal system?

Answer 2

A social system that kept control over everyone. (King–>Tenants-in-chief–>Under-tenants–>Peasants) Not flexible, unlike the anglo-saxon system.

Question 3

What did the king give to the people under him?

Answer 3

Land, protection, tax concession, law

Question 4

What did the king gain from the people under him?

Answer 4

Free military power, political power, land service, food, money from taxes

Question 5

What are some major points of the church?

Answer 5

A huge influence on society, controlled society by teaching people about their role. It was a major landholder, many worked for the church.

Question 6

How did normanisation change the church?

Answer 6

The archbishop of canterbury (Stigand) was replaced by Lanfranc. Anglo-Saxon priests were replaced by Normans, and Churches/cathedrals were rebuilt in the Norman style. All church leaders were loyal to William

Question 7

What did Lanfranc change?

Answer 7

New monasteries and nunneries, celibacy, church courts.

Question 8

Who did the king have communications with?

Answer 8

The pope

Question 9

What did the Sheriff do?

Answer 9

Controlled law and order, punished anti-Norman rebellion.

Question 10

What was the Royal Forest?

Answer 10

An area of land for the King to hunt, he took land from others to create it and made forest laws.

Question 11

What was the punishment if you broke the forest laws?

Answer 11

Harsh punishments

Question 12

What was the Domesday book?

Answer 12

A book that told William what land people had and what their obligations were.

Question 13

What did the Domesday book show William?

Answer 13

The population was 2 million, how many more knights could be provided, and what taxes William could collect

Question 14

Who was Bishop Odo?

Answer 14

Williams half brother, was a loyal supporter throughout the conquest. Later rebelled

Question 15

Who was Robert Curthose and what was his impact on Norman England?

Answer 15

Robert was William’s eldest son but they had a bad relationship. Robert rebelled against his father from 1077-80, trying to take the castle of Rouen. William sent troops and Robert fled. Robert continued to attack Normandy. Robert even fought his father in battle in 1079 and won, humiliating his father. In 1080, Matilda (Robert’s mother) organised a reconciliation and William restored Robert as his heir of Normandy.

Question 16

What happened in the 1088 Revolt?

Answer 16

William wanted his favourite son, William Rufus, to be king. Robert was unhappy as he was the eldest. Odo led a rebellion against Rufus. Odo waited at Rochester Castle for troops but they never came, forcing him to surrender.

Question 17

What was William the Conquerer’s personality like?

Answer 17

He was considered to be stern, determined and greedy for money. William was prepared to use
extreme violence to get his way (Harrying of the North) although he often worried about penance for his barbarous
behaviour. However, he had good points too: he was devoted to his wife (Matilda), he was very religious and founded
many abbeys, and he wanted to be respected as England’s king – not just to be its conqueror.

Question 18

How did William the Conquerer die?

Answer 18

In 1087 William was in battle
when he fell from his horse and suffered internal injuries. It took two months for him to die.