The Normans Flashcards
Upon the death of king Harthacnut in 1042, who inherited the throne?
Edward the confessor.
How was William related to Edward?
Through Emma, who was the sister of williams great grandfather. Making William a distant cousin of Edwards.
What are the main ways used to pass the throne on?
- )A son of the king could inherit it.( if king didn’t have sons, then a male relative of previous kings could inherit.)
- Post Obitum.
- )Novissima verba.
- )The use of force ( claimants challenge each other for the throne, successful one gets it.)
What doe the term Post Obitum mean?
Meant ‘after death’. Meant the king could nominate or bequest someone to inherit the throne.
What does the term ‘Novissima Verba’ mean?
That the king could nominate a heir of his choice; if this decision was made on his deathbed.
Who were the 4 claimants to the throne?
William of Normandy, Harold Godwinson, Harold Hardrada and Edgar the Aethling.
Why did Edgar believe he had the right to the throne?
- ) He was the great nephew of Edward the Confessor.
- )Had the closest blood tie to Edward.
- )Edgar was treated as Edwards adopted son, any many saw him as such.
What were some weaknesses of Edgars claim?
1.) Edward never named Edgar as his heir.
Why did Harold Hardrada believe he had a right to the throne?
- )Harold was related to King Cnut. (Edward had no sons, hence, a relative of the previous king should be chosen, himself.)
- )Hardrada’s father Magnus had been promised the throne by Cnut’s son, Harthacnut. Therefore, Hardrada believed he had a claim to the throne through his father. Edward claimed the throne instead of stepping aside for Hardrada.
What was a weakness in Harold Hardrada’s claim to the throne?
1.) Had no direct blood ties to english royal families.
Why did Harold Godwinson believe he had a right to the throne?
- ) As he was a ‘sub-regulus’, a deputy king who ran England for Edward and represented him in battle from 1066 onwards.
- )Harold said Edward promised him the throne on his deathbed.
What were some failures of Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne
1.) No blood connection with Edward. Edwards brother-in-law.
Why did William of Normandy believe he had the right to the throne?
- ) Was a distant cousin to Edward through Edward’s mother,Emma
- )Claimed Edward promised him the throne, earlier in his reign.
What were some failures of William of Normandy’s claim to the throne?
- ) There is no proof or evidence, that Edward said this.
2. ) According to his doctor he used ‘Cunning force’ to make Edward make him king. Not naturally said by Edward.
Who was automatically crowned king the day after Edward died?
Harold Godwinson.
William started to………his forces in preparation for an invasion of England as soon as he found out about Harold’s……………
- ) mobilize
2. ) Coronation.
What were 5 ways William prepared to invade England?
- ) Support from the French.
- )Support from God
- )Military Preparations - The Fleet.
- )Military Preparations - The Army.
- )Getting Across the channel.
What boats did William build to transport horses?
Flat-bottomed boats.
What were ‘Flat-Pack castles’?
temporary castles, used so that when the normans landed they could put castles up quickly.
Who did the Pope give the papal banner to?
William
Why did the pope give the papal banner to William?
As William sent Lanfranc, a leading member of the Norman church, to Rome, to persuade the pope that the English church needed reforming and that William was the man to do it.
What did the papal banner signify?
That the pope supported William and that the war was now a ‘Holy war’.
Why did so many people want to join William?
As it was a now a ‘Holy War’ and they were promised land and riches.
How many people were ready to cross the english channel with William?
8000
Where did William relocate the journey to Britain from?
Moved the starting point from the river dives to saint-valery-sur-somme. Halving the journey by 33km (20 miles.)
Why could William not invade as soon as Edward died?
As he wanted to opt for a long term strategy and amass his military forces. Also prepare political and religious support for his campaign.
And the winds were facing the wrong direction pushing them back.
Why was Harold no there to fight Edward as soon as he landed in pevensey?
As Harold had waited in the south with an army, however William didn’t come so he travelled north with his elite soldiers to fight off an invasion from Hardrada, at fulford gate and stamford bridge.
What did William order his troops immediately after they landed?
Built castles using the flat pack structures they brought with them. defending there landing spot.
Who did Harold Hardrada ally with against Godwinson?
Harold Godwinson’s brother - Tostig Godwinson.
Where did Hardrada sail from?
Norway
How many men did Hardrada have during bring for his invasion.
7,000 Viking soldiers
How many ships did Hardrada bring?
300
When did the battle of Fulford Gate happen
20th September 1066
Who won the battle of Fulford Gate?
Hardrada
What were some outcomes of the Battle of Fulford Gate?
- )Northern army became disorganised and scattered
2. )Edwin and Morcar were forced to flee.
Who won the battle of Stamford bridge?
Harold Godwinson
Who was killed during the battle of Stamford Bridge?
Hardrada and Tostig.
How many miles and days did Godwinson travel to get to Stamford Bridge?
200 miles in 4 days
How many english men did on viking on the bridge with an ace kill, protecting the english from crossing the bridge.
40
Why were Hardrada and Tostig celebrating?
The victory at the battle of Fulford Gate
Why were the vikings at a disadvantage?
Godwinson took them by surprise and they had left their armor on their ships miles away, only had weapons and shields.
How did the Anglo - Saxons kill the viking on the bridge?
By going underneath the bridge and pushing a spear up from beneath him.
Harold Godwinson’s army was bigger/smaller than Hardrada’s army and by how much?
2 times bigger
What kills Hardrada?
an arrow
Hardrada’s reinforcements arrive to late to save their king. Does Harold Godwinson let them go or not?
Let’s them go back to Norway. Vikings don’t attack after this.
How many out of the 300 ships Hardrada brought where sailed back?
24
How many contenders left after the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
3
One Advantage Hardrada had at the battle of Fulford Gate.
Had more soldiers, then Edwin and Morcar.
Why did Tostig join Hardrada?
As he saw it as an opportunity to become the earl of Northumbria again.
Why were Godwinson’s men weak and tired
travelled 200 miles in 4 days.
Who had more men on their side Godwinson or Hardrada
Godwinson
Who was fighting in the Battle of Hastings
Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy
What 2 choices was Harold faced with after Stamford Bridge
- )to let his men rest.
2. ) or plan a surprise attack on william
What choice did Harold choose and why?
Chose to plan a Surprise attack on William. As he heard William and his Norman forces were attacking villages on the south coast and making their way to London.
How many Fyrd members did Godwinson have?
Around 7000
How many members did William have as part of his army?
Around 7000
WHo were Harolds specialist soldiers?
Housecarls and the thegns
Who were Williams specialist soldiers?
Knights, trained from age of 3. Riding horses who were trained to bite and kick in battles.
What weapons did the Normans have|?
Bows, pikes, large shields covering from chins to knees and armour.
What weapons did the Anglo-Saxons use?
Double-handed axes, pikes and large circular shields.
Housecarls had armour and peasants used pitchforks and farming equipment. collected equipment of dead soldiers.
What was the main battle strategy created by the Anglo Saxons.
Shield wall.
Did the Anglo -Saxons use horses?
no
What were 2 of the battle styles William used?
Archers wore down enemy, organised troops into divisions allowing division commanders to use a series of flags to communicate on changing tactics etc.
William also had Calvary.
Were was Harold positioned at the battle of Hastings?
Top of Senlac hill
Were was William positioned at the battle?
The base of Senlac hill
What previous battle experience did William have?
Was an experienced General and had successfully fought against the Welsh and The Vikings.
What was Williams Previous Battle experience?
Conquered many areas around Normandy as far afield as Sicily.
What was the state of Harold’s army?
Army was exhausted due to fighting Hardrada and travelling south, then to London and then to William.
What was the state of Williams army?
When they arrived at Hastings and had several days to rest. William brought many supplies and horses so they could constantly refuel before battle.
What extra support did King Harold have?
Was a poplar king amongst most Anglo-Saxons and had the support of the Witan and some of his Brothers.
What extra support did William have?
Had support from the young king of France, King Philip I. Had the papal banner meaning God and the Pope were on his side.
What tactic did William use to outsmart the Anglo-Saxons?
The feigned retreat. The Norman army ran away from the Norman line. Fyrd chanced them, got stuck in the marshy land at the bottom. The Normans then turned around and slaughtered them.
What was a problem William faced with the positioning of his archers?
They were too close to the hill so arrows flew over Anglo-Saxons head.
What were 3 strengths Harold had in the battle of Hastings?
- )Positioned at top of the hill.
- ) Harold was an experienced general fought against the Welsh and the Vikings.
- )Strong Shield Wall formation. (Prepared for battle.)
What were 3 Weaknesses Harold had in the battle of Hastings?
- )Anglo-Saxons did not use Horses / Calvary.
- )Army exhausted after having fought Hardrada and walk for an extremely long time - 200 miles.
- )Lost many of his housecarls and Fyrd.
What were 4 strengths William had in the battle of Hastings?
- )Had Horses and Calvary whilst Harold didn’t.
- )Had a chance to refuel army and properly prepare for fight.
- )Had the Papal banner from the pope meaning god and the pope was on his side.
- ) Had support from king Phillip of France.
What were 2 Weaknesses William had in the battle of Hastings?
- ) Positioned at bottom of hill. - Men had to run up hill, more work.
- )Less weapons then the Anglo-Saxons.
What was the general Fyrd?
Freemen of an area that were obligated to turnout for the defence of their locality only. No military training.
What was the select Fyrd?
Part time Militia that would serve the king outside of the region where they were originally raised from.
Give one way luck helped William win?
- ) Harold’s troops were extremally exhausted.
2. )Harold got shut in the eye - Most likely luck.
Who won the battle of Hastings?
William
Name 3 things that helped William win?
- ) Luck
- )Leadership
- ) Tactics
What were the 4 things William used to control England?
- )Consolidate
- )Control
- )Supress
- )Regents.
What does Consolidate mean
establish power
what does control mean
To have Authority
What does Supress mean
To put down
who were Regents
People who helped William ruled.
Who in 1068 fled to the North to gather support
Edwin, Morcar and Edgar the Aethling
William paid the Viking’s to leave, did they accept
yes
In 1069 what did William do
Laid waste to vast areas of land around York. Burning and Salting the fields.
Why did he Harry the North
To show that he was in control.
