Normans Flashcards
1
Q
What happened in 1016?
A
Aethelred the unready dies, Canute (Viking) becomes king
2
Q
What happened in 1017?
A
Aethelred’s widow, Emma, marries Canute
3
Q
What happens in 1035?
A
Canute dies
4
Q
What happens in 1035-40?
A
Harold Harefoot’s reign
5
Q
What happened in 1040-1042?
A
Hartha canute’s reign
6
Q
What happens in 1042?
A
Edward the confessor becomes king
7
Q
What happens in 1051?
A
Godwin family is exiled
8
Q
What happens in 1052?
A
The return of the Godwin’s
9
Q
What happens in the late 1050s?
A
Harold proclaimed sub-regulus
10
Q
What happens in 1066?
A
January: Edward the confessor dies
11
Q
What is the Viking connection?
A
10th century England faced threat of Viking raids / England laid Viking’s Danegeld to leave the alone but they kept coming / 1013 vikings launched full scale invasion- killing Aethelred in 1016 / Canute becomes king, killing most of aethelred’s family but ruled for 20 years
12
Q
What is the English connection?
A
Only small part ruled by Canute / had to ensurely control country so divided it into 4 earldoms / earls became most powerful in the country, after Canute and earl of Wessex (Godwin) was most powerful earl
13
Q
What were the 4 earldoms that Canute created to control the country?
A
Wessex, Northumbria, Mercia and east anglia
14
Q
What was the Norman connection?
A
Aethelred’s widow, Emma and her two surviving sons-Alfred and escaped to Normandy where there uncle Richard, duke of Normandy raised them in a Norman court/ Richard forced Emma to move to England to marry Canute- ensured English kept some Norman influence (suited Canute as marrying old king’s widow appeased English
15
Q
What was Edwards path to the throne?
A
Canute died in 1035- wasn’t clear who’d rule next / canute had sons but didn’t always reign (Harefoot and harthcanute) / they invited Edward (Emma’s son) to England (Edward respected Norman ways of life) / Edward appointed as harthacanute’s successor and he won support of English earls / June 1042 he got to the throne when harthacanute died- took throne quick as vikings were distracted / rowed April 1043 / married earl Godwin’s daughter, Edith in 1045 (secured support of biggest earl) /
16
Q
Who were the 4 rivals in competition for the throne in 1066?
A
Harold godwinson / harald hardrada / William of Normandy / Edgar
17
Q
What advantages to the throne did Harold godwinson have?
A
Claimed king Edward earl of Wessex gave him the crown / he’s king edward’s brother in law / married Edith Harold’s sister / Anglo-Saxon / king’s chancellor
18
Q
What advantages did harald Hardrada have to the crown?
A
Claimed he was promised the crown / king of Norway
19
Q
What advantages did William of Normandy have to become king?
A
Edward promised him the crown / distant cousin to king Edward / support of roman pope = god’s support / his crowning is on a tapestry / Edward knew him well
20
Q
What advantages did Edgar have to becoming king?
A
Named father was heir to the throne but he died before / Saxon prince / great nephew to king Edward
21
Q
Who was crowned king?
A
Harald hardrada
22
Q
What does having family ties mean?
A
Son of king could inherit but didn’t have to be the oldest son, if had no sons, male relatives or a precious king could be chosen instead
23
Q
What does post obitum mean?
A
The king might nominate or bequeath his throne to someone in the event of his death
24
Q
What does novissima verba mean?
A
The king might nominate his upsuccessor on his death bed
25
What is the witan?
A group of leading nobles and churchmen could either suggest an heir or support the king’s own choice
26
What is use of force?
Claimants could challenge each other for the throne, and the successful man was then crowned
27
Who experienced post obitum?
Edgar the outlawed / harald hardrada / William of Normandy
28
Who was promised novissima verba?
Harold godwinson
29
What happened on 12th September 1066?
William moved fleet along Normandy coast to await wind to cross the channel / tostig and Harakd Hardrada were sailing down north east coast from Scotland
30
How many ships and soldiers did Tostig and Hardrada bring to invade the north of England?
300 ships 8000 soldiers
31
When did Hardrada and tostig meet at river Tyne, near York?
20th September
32
Who was defeated but not slain in the battle of fulford?
Earls Edwin and mortar - York soon surrendered to hardrada
33
What happened when Harold heard of hardrada’s arrival?
Re-gathered his army and marched swiftly north, covering 200 miles in under a week- so quick they caught harald and tostig by surprise
34
Where did Harold and Hardrada and tostig meet and when?
Stamford bridge on 25th September
35
What happened at Stamford bridge?
Harold won a stunning victory, Hardrada and tostig died and many Norwegian soldiers were slaughtered
36
When did William from Normandy set sail as the wind had changed? And where did he land?
September 27th / Pevensey (Harold godwin’ army is still in the north)
37
What did William do at Pevensey?
Get protection from fort there so safe to land army and supplies / erected their first castle / troops terrorised local population
38
How many miles did Harold’s army cover in 4-5 days whilst travelling to London?
2000 so we’re really tired and weakened
39
What happened on October 11th?
Harold’s army straggled into London and Harold ordered them to march south to meet William - plan was to surprise William as he did with Hardrada. Harold set off on 11th
40
When did Harold arrive in Hastings?
13th October
41
How many men did Harold have when they arrived at Hastings?
6000 exhausted men
42
Name positive effects from the battle of Stamford bridge on Harold’s army
More respect, increase morale and confidence / blood thirsty / victory for Harold / spoils of war
43
Name negative effects of the battle of stamford bridge on Harold’s army
Tired, some dead and some injured / expensive for Harold / need replacement weapons
44
What advantages did Harold have at the beginning of the battle of Hastings?
They were on top of Senlac hill so had a height advantage
45
What happened to the normans at the beginning that badly effected their chances of winning?
Arrow miscalculation - archers too close, flew over head of anglo-Saxons /
46
What was the Anglo-saxon’s main form of defence?
Shield wall
47
What was the feigned retreat and what effect did it have on the battle?
Section of Norman army ran away from the line and members of ford ran after them but got stuck in the marshy land at the bottom of the hill, normans turned and stayed the Anglo-saxon’s who has chased them (slowly drained anglo-Saxon shield wall
48
What change did William make to his archers that helped the battle?
He moved them behind the infantry so that they hit the Anglo-Saxon army squarely and took them by surprise
49
What caused both sides to experience heavy casualties?
William ordered cavalry to charge / William then ordered his knights to dismount and attack on foot as their archers fired their arrows and knights and infantry charged at the Anglo-Saxons
50
How did the normans win?
Anglo-Saxon wall began to deteriorate so normans broke through, King Harold was slain and so the fyrd broke ranks and fled
51
What are the 3 main causes of the Norman win?
Harold’s mistakes, William’s superior tactics and luck
52
What were 3 of Harold’s pre battle preparation mistakes?
He hurried to face William instead of waiting for 20-30,000 troops to join him from the southwest / Harold split army in spring of 1066 so northern army was defeated by Hardrada and had to march south to fight the normans / Harold fought alongside normans in 1064 so was aware of their tactics but still used the shield technique
53
Give examples of Williams superior pre battle preparations
Gained papel’s banner so soldiers believed they had gods blessing, if they died in fighting they’d go to heaven / william chose battleground site / William rested his army and trained the, on actual battle ground / William delayed invasion, demoralising Harold’s soldiers
54
Give examples of how luck for pre battle preparations helped William to win
Both William and hardrada launched battle at the same time / weather delayed william’s invasion; gave Harold time to defeat Viking’s before William arrived
55
Give examples of Harold’s mistakes during battle
He was killed so his fyrd broke and fled / Harold fought on foot over horseback so it was hard to communicate with troops
56
Give examples of william’s superior tactics during battle
On horseback so was more in control of his troops / highly organised into divisions with systems of communication
57
Give examples of how luck during the battle helped William to win
Double invasion occurred during harvest season which led to desert action of Harold’s fyrd
58
What 4 things did William prepare to invade England?
French support / support from god / military preps / getting across the channel
59
How did William have French support to help him invade England?
Good French relations after conquered in a Maine 1063, he had support and a secure base around Normandy as he extended his area of authority
60
How did William have the support of god to help him invade England?
Sent lanfranc who persuaded the pope that English church needed reforming and William needed to do it so pope gave him the papal banner so we was supported by holy war (helped recruit from france)
61
How did William prepare to invade England by getting across the channel?
Ensured large men were welll fed and didn’t struggle, moved from river mouth to some at Valery, halving his journey
62
How did wiliam prepare his military to invade England?
Built flat bottomed boats to transport horses, flat packed castles so they could set up fast
63
What 5 ways did William establish control in England?
Terror, military presence, patronage, concessions, legality
64
What is patronage?
For examples, giving land and positions of power to People to ensure their loyalty
65
What are concessions?
For example compromising or giving enemies what they want to make u support u
66
What is legality?
How William tried to show that he was the rightful king of England
67
Give an example of how William used terror to establish England control
Harrying of the north, burned land and salted fields, 100,000 died and people turned to cannibalism
68
Who was Hereward the wake?
Rebelled against William because he had confiscated his fathers land and killed his brother
69
Summarise the events of hereward’s rebellion
Hereward set up base in an Abbey on isle of Ely - William built ramp over marshlands but was destroyed as too many normans tried to cross - William built siege tower and brought in a witch to curse and torment the rebels / Hereward set fire to siege / monks told William about Hereward’s secret route - rebels surrender, Hereward disappears
70
Why did they build castles?
Strategic and symbolism
71
Give examples of castles being strategic
Bases for offensive patrols into surrounding area - normans could attack angry anglo-Saxons / could protect war horses more effectively / no significant town was more than a days march away / William didn’t have great number of troops so could be moved to anywhere
72
Give examples of castles being symbolic
Cleared Anglo-Saxon homes and made English build castles and charged English taxes - showed Norman power / symbolised Norman suppression of anglo-Saxons - were visible in every direction / used to dominate territory newly brought under Norman control
73
List the importance of types of people in England going from most to least (like the hierarchy triangle thing)
King - barons, earl and lords - knights - peasants
74
Because William spent 3/4 of his reign outside England what did he need?
Strong gov. system / sustainable amount of money to control both territories / reliable source of good soldiers to defend and control
75
Give 3 similarities in Anglo Saxon and Norman land ownership
King and church shared land / had to work and pay to live on the land / earls and barons provided land
76
Give differences between Norman and Anglo-Saxon land ownership
Norman church disapproved of slaves and AS gave them food in return for work / peasants weren’t free, they couldn’t leave the land -Norman / peasants had to pay to live on the land -AS / barons swore fealty to the king -Norman
77
When did William start the doomsday book?
1085 and completed in 1086
78
What did the doomsday book allow?
For William to gain knowledge about people who lived in England so he could tax them properly and raise himself more money
79
How many castles had William changed throughout the landscape in his reign?
500
80
How had William changed the structure of society?
The feudal system
81
What did William do with his kingdoms between his sins after his death?
1 became kind g of England, 1 became king of Normandy
82
What did William’s third son get?
£5,000
83
What problems did the splitting of the brothers cause?
Henry wanted to be king
84
Who were William’s 3 sons?
William Rufus, Henry and Robert
85
What happened to William Rufus?
He was shot
86
What did Henry do when his brother was shot?
Tried to be king
87
How did !pHenry take advantage of Rufus’ death to seize England?
1101- reached on agreement with Robert that they’d each stay in their own kingdom
88
What did Henry do in 1105?
Attack Normandy and defeated Roberta battle of Timchebrai, from 1107 Henry ruled England and Normandy
89
Give similarities of Norman and AS law and order
England was split into 134 shares where justice and taxes were organised - local gov — normans kept shire system /
90
Give differences between Norman and Anglo-Saxon law and order
Normans created new roles such as castellans who looked after royal castles and Forrest - local gov / all Anglo-Saxon sherries were replaced by normans - local gov
91
What is a sheriff?
Kings chief legal official in an area
92
How was law and order enforced under the normans?
Oaths / trial and ordeal / trial by battle / constables / watchmen / hue and cry / tithing
93
How did oaths keep law and order?
People who knew the accused had to give an account, had to lay an oath on the holy book to ensure they’d tell the truth —oaths were continuity
94
How was trial by ordeal used to keep law and order?
Trial by cold water - water was blessed and repelled sinner so guilty would sink
Trial by hot iron - carry iron, if the wound got infected they were guilty
Continuity
95
How was trial by battle used to keep law and order?
Introduced by normans for serious offences / battle took place between accused and accused, used pointy wooded sticks, battle to the death / castrate and blind criminals / would whip criminal down to the stocks
96
How did constables used to keep law and order?
Could arrest people, could break up fights, had key to stocks
97
How did watchmen used to keep law and order?
Made sure people kept curfew, prevented crime and caught criminals, volenteers, wasn’t taken seriously
98
How was hue and cry used to keep law and order?
Catching criminals after offence had occurred, had duty to raise an alarm if crime took place and everyone had to catch the criminal, if ignored the hue you’d be fined
99
How was tithing used to keep law and order?
Group of 10-12 freemen, promised to prevent each other from committing crime, while group would be punished if one did, Norman introduction, Murdrum fine - if Norman was found dead within 5 days the local community would be fined
100
How were fines useful to keep law and order?
Reduced crime and gave king money when committed
101
What was the mai purpose of Pickering castle?
Maintain control of area after harrying of the north
102
What did Pickering castle include?
Large central mound - motte and Bailey / outer palisades / internal buildings / ditches to make assault on walls difficult
103
How was Pickering castle in a strategic location?
On very steep cliff which was a great defence attribute
104
What was Pickering castle made from?
Timber and earth, developed into stone which had a shell keep
105
When was Pevensey castle built?
290 AD
106
What did Pevensey castle include?
Stone keep within the walls / ramparts / projecting towers / 2 gates / inner and outer bailey / a moat / mainlands to strengthen and protect walls
107
How was Pevensey castle in a strategic location?
Offered a natural anchorage, had a ditch / political connotation: implied normans were on a level with the Romans
108
How were town houses built in Norman England?
Town houses with wooden frames, wattle and daub. Built close together and often larger above ground floor because land in towns was expensive
109
What was generally in a town?
A wall surrounding town with guards patrolling it / churches and religious houses / some had a castle,
110
What was a town market day?
Once or twice a week, lord taxed everyone who traded in the market, people came from the countryside to sell, butter, eggs, cheese, fruit, vegetables
111
What were town guilds?
Group of trades and craftsmen that made rules for its members to follow, set prices and made sure goods were well made
112
What would happen is a well established town applied for a charter from the local lord or the king to become independent?
Could govern itself by electing council and a mayor, could set their own taxes but still had to pay taxes to the lord and king
113
Give examples of why there was bad hygiene in streets.
Narrow, no drains just an open ditch in middle of street, overflowing waste and increased risk of disease
114
What was the job hierarchy in towns?
Top: doctors, layers, merchants and property owners / middle: craftsmen / bottom: unskilled workers and servants
115
How had England stayed the same?
Retained financial system and introduced minting to Normandy / language was still Latin
116
How was Normans changed life in England?
Divided land to church and William / smaller earldoms and greater number of earls made it harder for significant group to set themselves up to oppose the king / introduction of social class / new trials / built lots of castles / Anglo-Norman language merged / language of new English aristocracy, became French rather than English / forest law
117
What was the forest law?
Hunting couldn’t take place in 1/3 of English forests as it was royal Forrest
118
What was the act of homage?
Vassal would kneel before lord with bare head and demonstrate total submission to swear the oath of fealty
