Normans Unit 4 Flashcards
What was Wales like before 1066?
Politically unstable
Isolated
What was the population of Wales in 1050?
Population in 1050 was 150,000
Why was wales politically unstable?
Governed by many people - leading to political instability
There was a complex inheritance system
5 kingdoms
Why was wales isolated?
It was remote and inaccessible
This meant that the locals were proud of their customs
When was there no leader in wales (what time period)?
1063 to 1066 (last leader was killed)
Who was Gruffyd ap Llewelyn?
The Welsh leader until 1063
What was a characteristic of Llywelyn?
Strong leader
Why was Llewelyn a strong leader?
Defeated his southern Welsh rival in 1055
When did Llywelyn swore loyalty to Edward the Confessor?
1056
When did Llywelyn lead raids on the English border? What happened as a result?
From after 1055
So English gave him control over south and north wales to make him stop
This allowed Llywelyn to unite wales and decrease some of the political instability
What happened in 1063 in wales? What happened as a result?
There was a raid led by Harold Godwinson on wales
Welsh army was destructed
Llywelyn was killed by his own men
What was a marcher earl?
Someone who helped William the Conqueror keep control of wales
Who were the 3 marcher earls?
William FitzOsbern
Roger of Montgomery
Hugh d’Avranches
What were the powers of the Marcher Earls?
Paid no tax
Could build towns to hold markets
Built churches and castles
Made their own laws and given control of law
What were the limitations of the Marcher Earls?
Owed allegiance to the king
If they died with no heir, their title would be reverted back to the king
Had to provide military service
Were disliked by other earls - they had more power
What were the successes of the marcher earls?
Built priories, churches and castles which helped spread reform, show who’s in control and intimidate
They used terror - enforced and scared the Welsh so they wouldn’t rebel
Established markets - allowed for trade and migration
Which marcher earl was accepted by the Welsh?
William FitzOsbern - they accepted him in return for recognising the Welsh lords
What were failures of the marcher earls?
There was no overall, coordinated plan
Rebellion of Norman Earls 1075 - they weren’t fully focused on keeping control of wales and were uncontrolled
Which marcher earl terrorised the Welsh?
Hugh d’Avranches - may have led to him being disliked
Who built Chepstow castle? Where does it state this?
William FitzOsbern - stated in the Domesday book
What do some historians believe in terms of who built Chepstow castle?
Some say it was built by William I under patronage as it doesn’t clearly state who built it ,it just says the first name
What river was Chepstow castle built by?
The river Wye
Why was Chepstow being built by the river beneficial?
Stopped people from getting into the castle grounds
Accessed ports
Connected to the sea
Useful for trade and communication
How tall was Chepstow castle, why was this useful?
3 stories high - very intimidating and threatening
Who lived in Chepstow castle, why was this useful?
The military - could protect against invaders
Where is Chepstow? How is a castle being built there beneficial?
On the border of wales and England - meant that it was the first thing to be seen upon arrival which was intimidating and showed who was in control, military lived there so could protect against rebellions on the border
What were castles built on, why was this beneficial?
Built on a hill - intimidating and high up and also made invaders unsuccessful
How did military help keep control of wales and England? (Use examples) (compare to Saxons)
Dealt with rebellions e.g. 1081 rebellion & rebellion of Welsh border (met Eric in battle)
Used terror - harrying of the north done in England and terror used on the Welsh too to scare them - made unpopular
Had archers and cavalry - more trained, compared to thegns and fyrds that Saxons used
5000 knights in feudal system
Rebellion of York (harrying of the north) - the Norman forces were defeated - not really that strong
WELSH EXAMPLE:
1081 - William invaded south wales and asked the king (Rhys) to pay him £40 a year until 1093
SAXONS:
Had untrained soldiers - thegns and fyrds
How did colonisation help keep control of wales and England? (Use examples) (compare to Saxons)
Towns were built - allowed everyone to be in one area so they were easier to control
Monasteries built - showed god was on Norman’s side and were intimidating
Castles built e.g. Chepstow - intimidated and helped take control of wales as they were prominent
Forest laws - unpopular amongst ordinary people
Welsh proud of local customs - weren’t happy when people who weren’t Welsh settled
WESLH EXAMPLES:
Normans brought in settlers from English estates
William FitzOsbern founded Chepstow - payed French merchants to settle there
Tintern abbey
SAXONS:
Didn’t have forest laws
Burrhs were used
Both however used churches to administer power
How did earls help keep control of wales and England? (Use examples) (compare to Saxons)
Allowed for the expansion of power in more areas
Built castles, priories, towns e.g. Chepstow castle built by William FitzOsbern
Dealt with rebellions and helped prevent there being a lot of them - there was lots before
Terror e.g. Hugh d’Avranches
WELSH EXAMPLES:
3 earls in wales but 6 in England - they were easier to control
REST ON SEPARATE FLASCHARDS
SAXONS:
Didn’t have marcher earls but had earls
Norman’s reduced power of normal earls - led to rebellion of 1075
What is an example of an invasion that was dealt by a marcher earl?
Roger of Montgomery - dealt with Viking invasion of Wales
What rebellion did the military deal with?
Rebellion of 1081
How did castles help keep control of wales and England? (Use examples) (compare to Saxons)
They fortified the town and allowed peace to be maintained
Built by rivers - allowed for trade and defence
They were tall, built on hills, on the border - intimidating and showed who had control
They had many methods to stop invaders, all were successful e.g. hill, river, military lived there
Some castles were overwhelmed with attacks or were abandoned
WELSH EXAMPLES:
Many castles built along the north Welsh coast
Chepstow castle
SAXONS:
They had burrhs
They had forts - also used for defence
What is the structure of the 16 marker?
- Intro - brief the main arguments
- Agree
- Disagree
- Disagree
- Conclusion - say if you agree or disagree, why that is and why you rejected other argument
TALK ABOUT:
-NORMANS & ANGLO SAXONS
-CHEPSTOW CASTLE
-ENGLISH AND WELSH CONTROL OF CONTROL
SPELL WELL!!! - SPaG = 4 MARKS
How many castles were there in wales pre 1215?
300 castles
How many castleries were recorded in the domesday book?
5
When did England fully gain control over wales? What does this show?
1284 - showed that Williams efforts to control wales weren’t completely effective
Specific examples of what William FitzOsbern did?
Established towns and castles along river wye
Made agreements with Welsh lords
Specific examples of what Hugh d’Avranches did?
Terrorised the Welsh - made him feared but also unpopular
Built castles along the river Conwy
Specific examples of what Roger of Montgomery did?
Established the castle and town of Montgomery
Dealt with Viking invasion
When was Chepstow castle built?
1067
