Normandy In 1065 Flashcards
History of Normans
• Viking leader, Rollo, became a vassal of the Frankish king in 911. Over the next 100 years, the Normans had doubled their territory through conquest and marriage alliances.
• there was no country called France until the 13th century. The “king of franks” ruled much of what is now France.
• they crashed rebellions brutally, but adopted the local language and customs of the people they ruled. By the early 11th century, Normandy was one of the most stable parts of the Frankish kingdom.
• William, then made a very advantageous marriage to Matilda of Flanders, which was a neighbouring powerful country
• Normandy was stable and wealthy until an 11th century crisis that led to William becoming Duke at the age of eight, but was too young to rule
Church
• The Normans favoured, a style called Romanesque, with clean lines, and elegant, rounded arches in churches
• the Viking settlers in Normandy were pagan, but when Rollo became the vassal of the Frankish king, he converted to Christianity
• the Normans became devout supporters of the Roman Catholic Church, and were at the forefront of church reform. Monks and nuns were praised for their devotion and the quality of their teaching, as well as their religious art and music.
• Normandy led the way in church reforms, and was praised for its piety, and religious art and music
• Norman, churches were larger and finer than those in Anglo-Saxon England. Even in small towns, churches were usually built from stone.
Military
• the invention of the stirrup made cavalry possible. This meant that the rider could charge at their enemy, and swing the sword while still in the saddle.
• Norman knights protect the land with castles. They were not built with stone but with wood, the most common form was a motte and bailey. These could be built at great speed and with strong fortresses.
• Dukes and counts, began building private armies by giving their supporters weapons and armour. This was important because this meant that they had full-time soldiers, not just troops to call on in times of war.
• most of the land was ruled on the Kings behalf by Dukes or counts. This will loyalty to the King, and promised him to lend their armies necessary.
Social structure
• dukes and counts became the Kings “Vassal” and were given land in return, called a fief. This ‘land for loyalty’ arrangement is called the feudal system.
• Norman knights sensed a chance and grabbed what land and power they could, leaving Normandy unstable. William had to learn who to trust.
• in 1047, a full-scale revolt broke out. William took charge and persuaded the king of the Franks to help him crush the rebels. He was merciless and regained control of the Duchy.
• is Norman society was based on the feudal system: powerful men held land for providing a service.
• knights became part of the feudal system – they swore loyalty to the duke or count and received land in return. This helps the ruler to control the land.
