Norman England - 3 Flashcards
what is a fief?
land held by a vassal in return for service to a lord, also called a feud.
The role and importance of tenants-in-chief: military
expected to fight and lead their own band of knights, had to defend own fiefs and put down any opposition to Norman rule.
The role and importance of tenants-in-chief: Social
provide knights for the king, main link when distributing land. organised the transfer of landholding from AS to Norman.
some had lots of fiefs (an honour/barony) each had its own court, judging tenants’ cases. Those with overdue knight service attended to sort out what land could be distributed.
The role and importance of tenants-in-chief: Economically important
owned the king a share of all money made from fiefs and kept some money too, some were very wealthy.
The role and importance of tenants-in-chief: Political
served on the royal council, advising the king when needed. Had to provide food/accommodation for king and courts when travelling
What is a relief?
when the heir to a landholder had to prove their loyalty to the king before getting their land back from the king. They also had to pay a tax before reclaiming their land. This encouraged loyalty to the king.
The king could increase/decrease the price of the relief based on the loyalty of the person before.
Homage
the baron (sometimes tenants-in-chief would do this with their tenants) would swear loyalty to the king on holy relics.
labour service
provide goods and farming hours each year.
forfeiture
when a land owner couldn’t provide service (land or military) their land was taken away/have to pay a fine. this was designed to protect the lord’s interests.
Differences between Stigand and Lanfranc’s role as archbishop: relationship with Earl Godwin
Stigand was close to Earl Godwin, he wanted Stigand to be archbishop. This was looked down upon (especially by Lanfranc) because it was to role of those appointed by God to decide on who should be archbishop.
Differences between Stigand and Lanfranc’s role as archbishop: the way they ruled the Church
Stigand had no control of other archbishops so different parts of the country was ruled differently, Lanfranc hated this and persuaded William to make him the archbishop of Canterbury. He enforced discipline and revived Church councils to reform the Church.
Differences between Stigand and Lanfranc’s role as archbishop: what bad thing did Stigand do?
Stigand was a pluralist, controlled two different areas. He and others did this because each new archbishop would bring more money and land.
Stigand was accused of simony: taking money in exchange for jobs. Lanfranc avoided these practices, he wanted the Church to stand above corruption and money-grabbing
What new laws towards priests did Lanfranc bring?
Stigand and AS Church leaders were having families and weren’t spiritual. Lanfranc banned marriages and made celibacy compusory.
Trial by ordeal
court cases involving priests/ministers should be done in Church courts instead of the hundred courts. Trial by ordeal meant judgement by God.
This was significant because it made the Church separate from society and gave it a special role in the legal system.
Geographical changes done by the Church
AS cathedrals destroyed to make market towns which gave the bishop a more secure location with an overview of the area.
