Y8 Middle Ages Flashcards
When were the Middle Ages or Medieval Period?
Around 600 to 1500. We have studied since 1066.
Why was there a battle over who should be king in 1066?
King Edward the Confessor died without an heir (son).
Who was Harold Godwineson?
Very wealthy and powerful English lord who took the throne when Edward died.
Why did William, Duke of Normandy invade in 1066?
William said that he was promised the throne by his cousin, Edward so he invaded to get it back from Harold.
Give two reasons why the Normans won the Battle of Hastings.
Tactics such as shooting the arrows into the sky as this killed Harold and the faked retreats as this broke the English shield wall when they chased the Normans down the hill.
What shape is the Feudal System and why.
It is a triangle. The king is the top point as there is one of him and he has all of the power. The peasants are at the bottom as there were many of them and they have no power.
What type of castles did the Normans build and why?
Motte and Bailey because they were quick, cheap and easy to build.
What did the Normans use stone keep castles for?
Castles housed knights to stop English rebellions, they were large and scared the population, they were where the local Baron or Lord lived who collected taxes and kept the law.
What was the Magna Carta signed in 1215?
An agreement forced the king to give the Barons and Nobels some rights, such as the king could not create a new tax without their approval.
Give 3 reasons why King John was forced to sign Magna Carta.
King John charged high taxes, he lost land in battles, he lost the Crown Jewels, he argued with the Pope who then closed all of the English churches.
Did King John do anything good? Name two things?
John defeated Wales, Scotland and Ireland. He made the English navy strong. He made trials in law courts fairer.
