⌛️Normandy 1066 - 1106

Question 1

Why did William decided to invade England in 1066?

Answer 1

He regarded himself as the the rightful heir to the throne. According to Norman writers, William was first promised the throne by Edward in 1051

Question 2

What was the Normans claim for Harold’s visit to Normandy in 1064?

Answer 2

According to the Normans, Edward sent Harold on his behalf to reconfirm his earlier promise in 1051

Question 3

What are the English account of this event?

Answer 3

Some English sources mention no visit, while others give different versions. For example, one argues that Harold travelled to Normandy in order to secure the release of family members, arguing further that he was forced into swearing an oath to William

Question 4

Why does William of Normandy’s power to the throne seem unlikely?

Answer 4

While the offer for the throne in 1051 seems plausible - considering Edward had strong links to Normandy from his exile - it seems unlikely that Edward held it valid for later years considering his relationship with Harold

Question 5

What was the military position of Normandy?

Answer 5

In 1066, they were ready for war. William had an aggressive tightly knit group of powerful nobles, each maintaining highly skilled knights. He was able to financially fund for the war as taxes were being collect efficiently

Question 6

How did William gain Papal support?

Answer 6

William appealed to Pope Alexander II. In early 1066 Gilbert (archdeacon of Lisieux) was sent to explain the Norman case - he focused on Harold’s broken oath and the poor state of the English Church. As a result Alexander publicly proclaimed his support for the invasion, strengthening his legitimacy

Question 7

❗️When did conflict in Maine rise?

Answer 7

1069

Question 8

Explain the conflict in Maine

Answer 8

In 1069 the country revolted, falling under one of its own leaders Geoffrey of Mayenne. William’s wife - in his absent while campaigning in England - lacked the forces or commander ability to deal with the crisis herself

Question 9

Why in 1072, did events become worrying?

Answer 9

Maine had now been seized by Fulk le Rechin, Count of Anjou. By 1073, England was secure - allowing William to act against Maine. When he arrived he employed surprise attacks and violence and then moved on to devastating the countryside (they surrendered). After just a few weeks after setting out, William was back in Normandy, showing that the reoccupation of Maine shows it was a distraction rather than a major crisis for William

Question 10

Explain William’s defeat at Dol

Answer 10

King Philip I of France, was determined to oppose Norman dominance. In 1075 - the revolt of the three earls - allowed Philip to engage William. When Ralph de Gael fled back to Brittany and established himself in the Castle of Dol, William in September 1076 harried the land and lay siege to Dol as an act of revenge. However, In November, Philip and his army arrived, surprising William into a retreat

Question 11

What did the defeat at Dol mean for Wiliam?

Answer 11

The defeat was significant, it was his first military setback and according to the Anglo - Saxon Chronicle, he lost ‘both men and horses, and many of his treasures’. He also failed to remove Ralph de Gael. Additionally it allowed his opponents to attack. For example, in late 1076, Fulk Le Rechin attacked one of William’s strongest supporters in Maine to undermine Norman control

Question 12

Who was Robert Curthose?

Answer 12

William of Normandy’s eldest son

Question 13

Why was Robert Curthose demanding more power?

Answer 13

He, along with the sons of some of William’s closely knit warriors, felt they were shut out from their fathers increasing power. It was a generational divide

Question 14

Why was Robert a serious crisis to William?

Answer 14

He had built up a large and powerful group of knights. Additionally when Robert toured France, Philip I took the opportunity to supply Robert with knights as well as the castle

Question 15

Explain the battle of Gerbeory in 1078

Answer 15

After being supplied a castle there, this allowed Robert to begin riding in the east of Normandy. William laid siege in the depths of winter and after three weeks the rebels sailed out to battle and unexpectedly won

Question 16

What added to Williams humiliation?

Answer 16

He had found that his wife betrayed him, through supplying Robert with funds

Question 17

What happened in 1080?

Answer 17

William welcomed Robert back to Normandy and confirmed his inheritance, from here Robert began to act as a dutiful son

Question 18

How did King William I die?

Answer 18

In 1085, Willian’s empire was surrounded by enemies. The King of Denmark was threatening to invade England while others waited for opportunities to bring about William’s downfall. In 1087, Philip’s army began raiding in Mantes. William assembled his army and went on the defence touching the place, however as he rode the burning streets, his horse took fright and flung him. William later died from his injuries

Question 19

What happened to Williams territories?

Answer 19

William was a pious man. To please God he ordered the release of all his prisoners, and also formally committed the Duchy of Normandy to Robert. He left England to God but hoped he would grant it to William II, lastly he left £5,000 to his youngest Henry

Question 20

When was William II crowned king of England?

Answer 20

26 September 1087

Question 21

Why did Robert and William create a conflict of loyalty?

Answer 21

For the serving Lords, a wrong decision over who they obey/serve would result in lost of estates

Question 22

What was the rebellion of 1088?

Answer 22

It was a rebellion from the minority of Anglo-Saxon Lords who supported Robert. They fought through castles

Question 23

How did William win the rebellion?

Answer 23

With the help of the local English commanders who he left for the smaller problems. William was able to focus on the main rebellion, he was able to destroy Roberts sea relief forces. The royal army set up to siege engines which allowed the castles conditions to deteriorate quickly. Additionally the failure of Robert to support his troops added to the outcome

Question 24

What happened between Robert and William after the rebellion?

Answer 24

William had his sights on revenge and conquering Normandy and from 1090, began using England’s treasury to win over the nobles of Upper Normandy. However when he arrived in Normandy in 1091, him and Robert made peace - even promising to become each other’s heirs

Question 25

What did Roberts decision to go on a crusade mean for Normandy?

Answer 25

It financially drained Normandy

Question 26

When did King William II die?

Answer 26

2 August 1100

Question 27

What happened to England after the death of William?

Answer 27

His younger brother Henry I, set out to seize English throne. Henry persuaded the Bishop of London on 5 August 1100 to crown him king of England

Question 28

After becoming king, what was Henry’s first challenge?

Answer 28

In 1101, Robert who had returned from the Crusade, decided to take the English throne. Some of the most powerful magnates supported him - Robert of Belleme being one of them

Question 29

However what happened in 1101 instead?

Answer 29

Robert Curthose and Henry signed the Treaty of Alton. This was Robert agreeing to recognise Henry as the king of England in exchange for £2,000 a year and agreeing not to punish each other’s supporters

Question 30

How did Henry not abide by the treaty?

Answer 30

In 1102, he moved against Robert of Belleme - having had him watched for a year - he forced the earl to answer to 45 charges. In response Robert began a revolt. Henry retaliated by laying siege to Arundel, Tickhill and Bridgnorth

Question 31

As a result of getting caught, what happened to Robert Belleme?

Answer 31

His lands were confiscated and he was exiled to Normandy, his brothers also followed

Question 32

What did Henry’s labelling of Robert of Belleme as a traitor mean for Duke Robert?

Answer 32

He was forced to move against him under the terms of the Treaty of Alton. However Robert of Belleme was prepared to fight bitterly to regain his Norman lordship. The region descended into violence and in 1102, Duke Robert sieged Robert of Belleme’s supporters at a castle but was unable to keep his own forces united - many of his men fled, forcing the Duke to retreat

Question 33

What did Robert of Belleme decide to do in 1103?

Answer 33

He burnt the nunnery to the ground, killing or mutilating many of the captured soldiers. Duke Robert attempted to deal with the issue but resulted in a defeat when Robert of Belleme launched a surprise attack. Further castles fell into rebel hands and the Duke was forced to make peace be 1104 by confirming Robert of Belleme’s Norman inheritance

Question 34

What did making peace with his brothers enemy mean for Duke Robert?

Answer 34

He had broken the terms of the treaty. In response Henry sent his men into Normandy who set about raiding and burning the place

Question 35

What happened in 1105?

Answer 35

Henry crossed the channel with his troops and money and began to consolidate his control over the west of Normandy by securing places. Duke Robert was left in a critical situation, his own support was dwindling, little money was left and he was increasingly powerless to maintain order. Robert attempted to negotiate in 1106 and was rejected resulting in Henry deciding to invade for the second time

Question 36

Explain the Battle of Tinchebrai

Answer 36

Henry’s forces had certainly outnumbered Roberts. The battle began with the Duke using his small army to attack and push back Henry’s line. Robert of Belleme had decided to flee which effectively bought the battle to an end -the battle lasted just over an hour. The Duke suffered and was taken prisoner

Question 37

What was the significance of Henry’s victory at Tinchebrai?

Answer 37

Henry was now the leader of an empire. However, this did mean that Henry now faced the same challenges that had repeatedly tested his father, William the Conqueror. Many of Williams opposition offspring were filling in their fathers shoes