William the Conqueror Flashcards
What are some of Williams names?
William the Conqueror
William the 1st
William Duke of Normandy
William the Bastard
What age did William become duke of Normandy?
7
What challenges did William face when he first became King?
- William the Bastard
- 7 years old
- Multiple assassinations were made against the young William during his time as Duke but he survived them all only his guardians (Alan of Brittany, Gilbert of Brionne, Turchetil, Osbern)
- Oderic Vitalis chronicled that Walter, William’s maternal uncle, was occasionally forced to hide the young duke in the houses of peasants in order for his safety.
- He notably had to escape one night in Valognes, he even had to flee, alone, to avoid an assassination attempt which was reported to him by his Fool.
- The Battle of Val ès Dunes, 1047
What familial relationships did he have to Edward the Confessor, demonstrating him to be suitable for Edward’s succession?
He was related to Edward the Confessor through his great-aunt, Emma of Normandy, who was Edward’s mother
What relations did he have to Edward the Confessor, demonstrating him to be suitable for Edward’s succession?
Before becoming king, Edward had spent over twenty years in exile in Normandy. So there was an established relationship between them.
What military relations did he have to Edward the Confessor, demonstrating him to be suitable for Edward’s succession?
William had helped Edward in 1051, when Earl Godwin rebelled. William claimed that, in return, Edward had promised him the throne.
How had William being Norman disadvantaged him from succeeding Edward?
Many of the Saxons earls such as Earl Godwin and the Witan disliked the idea of a foreign king. They had objected to the number of Normans that Edward had invited to England in the 1050s, leading to the 1951 Godwin rebellion.
How had Novissima Verba disadvantaged William from succeeding Edward?
Edward had nominated Harold Godwinson on his deathbed, and the Saxons believed that deathbed promises held ultimate weight more than earlier promises (post-obituary).
Did William I time his attack on England well?
William knew that eventually Harold Godwinson would have to disband the fyrd to gather the harvest. He prepared to sail as soon as he heard that this had happened, and caught Harold unawares.
What did William do when he first arrived at England?
Upon landing in England due to his eagerness to reach the shore, William the Conqueror slipped and fell; to play it cool he grasped two fistfuls of soil and proclaimed ‘England is ours!’
What did William do when he first arrived at Pevensey?
The Normans took pieces of a castle over the Channel with them, and used it to transform an old Roman Iron Age fort in Pevensey into a simple defence.
Motte and Bailey castle at Pevensey
Describe Williams preparations before coming to England with his ships?
William organised for the transport of the Norman destriers using flat-bottomed ships, as the Norman horses had been especially bred for battle, trained to bite and kick.
What were William I’s tactics in the Battle of Hastings?
❖Feigning retreat.
❖Using a combination of infantry, archers and cavalry.
Why did William I have an advantage through soldiers at the Battle of Hastings?
❖More experienced soldier through mercernaries
❖His cavalry, contains elites knights with Norman destriers who were trained to bite and kick
❖Archers and crossbowmen
❖Well-disciplined troops (infantry)
When was William I crowned king of England?
William was crowned in Westminster Abbey by Archbishop Ealdred of York, on Christmas Day 1066.
What economic powers did William I have?
❖He controlled coins and the currency.
❖He could raise taxes - this was called ‘levying the geld’.
❖He owned all the land, however could grant it and take it away.
What legal powers did William I have?
❖He made all the laws.
❖He would call a meeting of the Witan to advise him.
❖He issued laws and instructions by using royal writs.
What military powers did William I have?
❖He had military power, made up of knights provided by the tenants-in-chief, usually serving 40 days a year
What social powers did William I have?
❖He held oath-taking ceremonies to gain the loyalty of his landholders.
❖He wore the crown to show his power and position to the people.
What religious powers did William I have?
❖He could appoint important churchmen.
How did William I’s military power help him?
William was a strong, skilful and ruthless military leader, and this helped him to claim the crown in England.
❖He was able to win the Battle of Hastings and crush rebellions.
❖It won the respect of the Anglo-Saxons, who admired great warriors. Many joined his side against the rebels.
❖People at the time believed that his victories were a sign that he was favoured by God.
How did William I prove his legitimacy as king?
It was important to William that the Anglo-Saxons saw him as the rightful - or legitimate - king.
❖He stressed that he was the rightful heir to Edward the Confessor’s throne because Edward had promised it to him, because he was related to Edward, and because Harold had broken his oath.
❖At his coronation he promised to uphold Edward’s laws, and protect the Church.
❖He made sure that he was seen wearing the crown in public at least three times a year. These included at religious festivals and in important places.
❖He was crowned by Ealdred, the Archbishop of York. Normally the Archbishop of Canterbury crowned the king, but Archbishop Stigand was corrupt, and therefore was not considered appropriate.
❖He made sure that images of his portrait were put onto coins so that everyone could see he was the king.
How did William I use ceremonies to show his power?
During ceremonies, William made sure that he appeared as the true and rightful king, wearing his crown at important times and places, at least 3 times a year.
How did William I control money?
William took control of the minting of coins, which had his portrait on them.
