Regents, The Power Of The Earla And The Role Of Sherifs Flashcards
Where did William spend most of his time and why+ give stats (important for looking at regents)
Most of his time was spent in Normandy
He was still Duke of Normandy and still wanted to defend it
- when the dangers of rebellion subsided in 1072 he spent most of his time in Normandy protecting it
- 80% of his time was spent there until his death in 1087
So who was in control of England whilst William was in Normandy and why ?
His most trusted supporters appointed as regent
- same powers that William had
- depending on the occasion either his half brother Odo Bishop of Bayeux or his friend William FitzOsbern the Earl of Chester and his trusted archbishop of Canitbury Lanfranc
What did the system of appointing a Regent show ?
- William chose Regents wisely
- he had managed to build up a strong and effective system of government
Who did WILLIAM give the title of earl to ?
His supporters especially the great Norman Lords
- gave them title of earl
- gave them large quantities of land
- around ten of them had 1/4 of English land
What was William careful to do when giving power to his earls ?
- he doesn’t give them too much power
- he didn’t want them to pose as potential threats or worse rivals for his power
- so the new earldoms were smaller and less wealthy than the previously massive Anglo Saxon earldoms
Give two features of a shire reeve?
- an appointed kings chief official in each county
- king sent him instruction in written document called ‘writs’
What did the term shire reeve develop into ?
Sherif
What where the sheriffs expected to do and why ?
Why: make sure the royal demesne were run effectively
What
- follow instruction received in writs
- collect taxes and fines due to the king
- carry out justice in the kings courts, punishing criminals
- raise soldiers for the royal army whenever they were needed
Who did William use as sheriffs and why ?
Englishmen
He didn’t want to alienate the English and possibly push them to rebellion
How did William oppoint as sheriffs post 1067-71 ?
Let’s just say bro wasn’t very happy with the English after the rebellions
He decided to appoint Normans as sheriffs instead
Who did William also appoint with more land and why ?
Gave more powerful individuals land
This increased power tied with the Norman’s replacing English sheriffs acted as anything show of Norman control over England
