The impact of the Norman conquest on the English people 1066-87

Question 1

How did William reward the men who fought for him?

Answer 1

He gave them English land from people who had died at Hastings

Question 2

This had a shattering effect on English Nobility. In 1086 how many of Williams 180 tenants in chief were English?

Answer 2

4
These English land owners owned 5% of land in 1086

Question 3

Some English nobles migrated but what did those who stayed have to do?

Answer 3

They had to rent land they had previously owned

Question 4

How did the way William give out land changed?

Answer 4

He spread out nobles land so they they couldn’t build up a power base

Question 5

How did Norman lords treat the people who lived on their lands?

Answer 5

Harshly and charged them high rents

Question 6

In the areas that rebelled the consequences were severe. After the Harrying of the North how did York’s population change in 1086 compared to 1066?

Answer 6

the population in 1086 was 25% of the 1066 population

Question 7

What happened to the number of free peasants?

Answer 7

It fell radically because many people struggle to pay the high rents that the Normans charged

Question 8

What did the new lords introduced that limited the peasants freedom?

Answer 8

• Forcing them to build the unpopular castles as part of their duties
• stopping them from fishing in the river
• banning the collection of firewood from the forests
• charging high fees for using the mills to grind corn

Question 9

Name one group that benefited from the Norman conquest

Answer 9

The slaves - slavery died out in Normandy, and after 1066, the number of slaves fell in England

Question 10

What was the impact of the Normans taking control of the market towns?

Answer 10

• Made it harder for traders to make a living
• They charged higher rents and toll for the markets