William I and his family Flashcards
Give 13 characteristics of William
Harsh rough voice, physically dominating, generous, cheerful, energetic, strong but grew fat in later life, brave, inspiring, brutal, religious, loved hunting, politically intelligent, magnificent appearance
When did Queen Matilda marry William?
1050
When and where did Matilda act as regent?
1066 in Normandy
Who was Matilda’s father?
Count of Flounders
When did Matilda die?
1083, 4 years before William
Give 7 characteristics of Robert of Normandy
Cheerful, round faced, talkative, short, stout, great soldier when he was younger, became a brave and famous crusader
What 2 nicknames was Robert given?
Curthose (short boots), Fat Legs
What happened when Robert returned from Crusade?
Fought Henry for control of Normandy but lost, Henry kept Robert in a comfortable prison in Cardiff for the rest of his life
Why was William Rufus given the name Rufus?
Avoid mix up with his father, red complexion and red hair
Give 6 characteristics of William Rufus
Short, grew fat, intelligent, great soldier, energetic, knew it was important to look powerful
When did William Rufus become King of England and what did he do during this time?
1087, invaded Normandy twice to try to take it from Robert
How and when did William Rufus die?
Hunting accident in New Forest, 1100
When was Henry King of England?
1100-1135
Give 4 characteristics of Henry
short, grew fat in later life, successful king, ruthless
How was one of Williams sons Richard killed?
Hunting
What are the names of Williams five daughters?
Cecelia, Matilda, Adelida, Adela, Constance
Who became king of England after 1135?
Adela’s son, Stephen
Which four facts show Williams trust in Odo after 1066?
Gave him a huge amount of land worth £3000 a year, appointed him Earl of Kent, made him his regent in England on several occasions, in 1075 Odo led the kings army to defeat the Earl of Norfolk and end the revolt of the Earls
Why did the English hate Odo?
His harsh treatment. Branded a ‘ravening wolf’ by one chronicler
What caused Odo’s conflict with William?
Odos wish for more power
What did Odo plan in 1082?
Military expedition to Italy where he may have hoped to become pope and use force to persuade others to support him
What was Williams response to Odo’s choice to carry on the plan?
Arrested and imprisoned Odo in Rouen in Normandy where he was held for the rest of Williams reign
When and why was Odo released?
Released by a dying William because nobles pleaded for his freedom
Who wants mass the heir to Normandy?
Robert
What did William supposedly think of Robert by the 1970s and what did this cause William to do?
William thought Robert was spoiled and sometimes foolish, Robert was impatient to rule lands for himself so William refused to give Normandy to Robert
What meant there was even less chance of Robert proving himself worthy of taking over Normandy?
By 1978 William spent most of his time in Normandy and little time in England
What sparked Roberts revolt?
His brothers Rufus and Henry stood in the gallery of a house and urinated down onto the heads of Robert and his friends in the hall below
What did Robert do the morning after his brawl with his brothers?
Fled with a group of followers and tried to take control of Williams castle at Rouen but failed.
Which of Williams enemies took advantage of the split in his family and how?
Rulers of France and Flanders gave Robert knights and the castle at Gerberoi knowing it would be harder for William to defeat his son
How did William retaliate to Robert’s raids in Normandy?
Marched an army to Gerberoi and besieged Robert in the castle
How did Robert fight William in Gerberoi?
His he and his men surged out of the castle and attacked Williams army
What was the outcome of William and Roberts fight?
Robert won, he was wounded but William had to be rescued by an Englishman in his army. Robert looked a great success but William looked weak
What did Queen Matilda do during Robert revolt?
Sending Robert money because she could not bear her family being at war with each other
Who decided it was a good time to invade the North of England after Roberts revolt?
King of Scots
Who was Roberts revolt between?
The older generation and younger generation because Roberts supporters were sons of senior Norman nobles
Why did William agree to a peace settlement? (2 reasons)
Queen Matilda begged William to end war within her family and the older nobles also did not wish to see their sons harmed
When did William make peace with Robert and what did this mean?
Easter 1080, Robert was reconfirmed at heir in Normandy
How did William and Robert show their unity after making peace? 2 things
Robert led Williams army to defeat Scottish invaders, he ordered the building of a new castle which became one of the largest cities in England - Newcastle
Who was at Williams deathbed?
Rufus and Henry but not Robert due to more arguments with his father. Despite this William still left Normandy to Robert
What 3 things happened when Rufus went over to England before Williams death?
Sent by William to take a letter to Archbishop Lanfranc instructing him to arrange for Rufus to be crowned king of England, took control of royal treasury in a Winchester, soon crowned king with Lanfranc’s support
What decision did nobles face after Williams death?
They had land in Normandy and England and didn’t know whether to pay homage to Robert or Rufus
What answer did Odo come up with to the nobles decision?
Choose between Robert and Rufus and help one of them reunite England and Normandy, Odo suggested to unite behind Robert and depose Rufus
When and why would Rufus have suspected a rebellion?
Easter 1088 when he held his Easter court and many nobles stayed away
What did Rufus do after outbreaks of rebellion in the midlands and south?
Headed straight for the heart where Odo was planning a rebellion, captured Odo and the castle, ending the rebellion
How had Rufus been helped?
By Roberts failure to leave Normandy, he treated rebels generously to win them over
What happened to Odo after his rebellion against Rufus?
Exiled from England and spent the rest of his life in Normandy before dying on the way to crusade
