normans oct assessment Flashcards
when was domesday book written
1085
legal significance of domesday book
solved disputes over land to see who really owned what place
military significance in domesday book
in 1085 there were threats of Vikings invading. william took normans and gave them households with landholders in england. domesday book helped keep this organised to know where to call soldiers from if he was in trouble
financial significance of domesday book
william’s tenants in chief did not have to pay geld tax, introduced before his reign. he could have tried to reverse these privileges and see which baron could benefit him most financially. he did this in 1084 and 1086
forest laws
forest laws - forbade people from hunting in kings land. they were extremely unpopular. if they were to hunt, they would have their two fingers cut off so they couldn’t use a bow. repeat offenders were blinded. as many thought it was unfair, most didn’t report these crimes.
murdrum law
introduced in 1070, a whole village would be held responsible for the death of a norman, if they didn’t catch the killer in 5 days. william probs did this so anglo saxons didn’t get upset at norman’s. fines were now paid to king instead of the victims family
changes to feudal system
introduced knights which replaced thegns. knights swore loyalty to a baron and granted some lands to peasants below them.
in 1066, there were 6 earls.
barons and bishops replaced earls in the feudal system. they swore loyalty to william and paid homage to him, promising money and service to his army.
lanfrancs reform - synods
in 1070, lanfranc was appointed archbishop of canterbury.
he created synods (church councils) that helped spread the message of reform.
bishops held their own councils twice a year. he did this to promote authority over their diocese and give the church more power.
it also helped centralise the church as cathedrals were built in larger towns and cities.
a new church hierarchy
a more centralised system. introduced archdeacons and deans to manage priests.
prior to this, archbishops had a lot of power which made the system corrupt. the new system allowed bishops to have more control as they could control deans, archdeacons and priests
church and law courts (lanfrancs reforms)
in 1076, council of winchester established church courts
clergy now tried in bishop courts and not lay courts
wanted spiritual offences like blasphemy, not attending church, adultery and incest to be tried by church courts.
less severe than secular courts
punishments included: pilgrimage or public confessing of sin, leading to shame.
