Normandy In 1065 Flashcards
What was the basis of Norman society in 1065?
Norman society was based on the feudal system: powerful men held land for providing service.
Was there a country called ‘France’ in the thirteenth century?
No, there was no country called ‘France’ until the thirteenth century.
Who ruled much of what is now France before the thirteenth century?
The ‘King of the Franks’ ruled much of what is now France.
How much control did the ‘King of the Franks’ have over his kingdom?
He had much less control over his kingdom than the English kings.
Who ruled most of the land on the French king’s behalf?
Most of the land was ruled by dukes or counts.
What did dukes and counts promise to the king?
They swore loyalty to the king and promised to lend him their armies if necessary.
What is a ‘vassal’ in the feudal system?
A vassal is someone who is given land (a fief) in return for loyalty and service to the king.
What is the arrangement of ‘land for loyalty’ called?
This arrangement is called the feudal system.
How did the French dukes and counts differ from English earls and thegns?
French dukes and counts had their own armies, giving them a lot of independence.
How did French dukes and counts rule their lands?
They ruled their lands like small kingdoms.
What is a fief?
Land given in exchange for loyalty by the king
What did Normandy begin as in the early 10th century?
A Viking colony
What type of warfare did the Vikings (before settling in Normandy) rely on?
Fast ships and warriors armed with battleaxes
What happened to Viking forms of warfare when they settles in Normandy?
They adopted the French form of warfare
When did the Viking leader,Rollo, become a vassal of the Frankish king?
911
How did the Norman’s double their territory in the next 100 years after 911?
Through conquests and marriage alliances
How did dukes and counts begin building private armies?
By giving their supporters weapons and armour
What did the Norman’s invent that made cavalry possible?
Stirrups
What did knights have to do when they became part of the feudal system?
Swear loyalty to their duke or count and received land in return
What did knights take from the people who lives on the land they controlled?
As much tax and rent as they could
What did knights build and what were they made of?
Castles made of earth and timber but some were replaced by stone later
What church did the Normans support?
Roman Catholic Church and were at the forefront of the reform
What were Norman monks and nuns praised for?
Their quality of teaching and their religious art and music
What were Norman churches built from?
Stone even in small villages
What style were Norman churches built in?
Romanesque
How old was William when he became duke and when?
8 years old and 1035
What did the knights do leaving Normandy unstable?
Grabbed what land and power they could under young William
When did a full scale revolt break out in Normandy?
1047
How did William react to the 1047 revolt?
He took charge and was merciless
Who did William marry and why?
Matilda of Flanders because Flanders was a powerful neighbouring country
