norman conquest - normans (1066)

who were the 4 claimants to the English throne after Edward the confessor’s death

• Edgar Aethling

• Harald Hardrada

• Harold Godwinson

• William of Normandy

where did Harald and Tostig’s forces land in England for invasion 1066

• east of England

• based in York

how did Harold prepare for invasion in 1066

• gathered the fyrd

• collected large amounts of tax

what was Edgar Aethling’s claim to the throne

grand nephew of Edward the Confessor - claiming blood link

what was William of Normandy’s claim to the throne

alleged promise from Edward the Confessor (1051) and promise from Harold Godwinson (1064)

why did Harold get coronated so quickly after Edward the Confessor’s death

• he had no ancestral link to the throne - needed to secure his right as heir

• coronation shows God’s approval of the monarch - boosted support for Harold’s reign

when was William of Normandy allegedly promised the throne

• 1051 - promised by Edward the Confessor

• 1064 - promised by Harold Godwinson

what was Harald Hardrada’s claim to the throne

claim through previous monarch (King Cnut) - claiming ancestral link

what was Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne

• most powerful noble in England - claiming popular vote

• Edward allegedly entrusted Harold with the English crown on his deathbed - claiming support from previous king

summary of the Battle of Fulford

September 20th 1066 - Harold and Tostig defeat English nobles Edwin and Morcar

what challenges did Harold face in spring 1066

• supposed threat of Norman invasion

• invasion from Harald and Tostig on east coast of England

summary of Battle of Stamford Bridge

September 25th 1066 - Harold’s forces quick march north, surprising Harald’s troops

Both Harald and Tostig were killed.

what was the feudal system during the norman conquest

• fiefs - ruled by vassals in lieu of the king

• vassals - dukes/counts

  • vassals swore loyalty to the King of Franks

what was the difference between the feudal system and the Anglo-Saxon system of land-holding

• french dukes had their own armies - more independence from the monarchy - ruled their lands like private kingdoms

• Saxon thegns had less independence - land was given by the king, land could be taken away by the king

describe the ways the Rollo’s descendants set about ruling Normandy

• doubled land through conquests and marriage alliances

• used brutal force to crush rebels

• chose trusted men and local lords to govern each part of the Duchy

state what chevaliers were

knights

explain why knights were negatively viewed

• they weren’t chivalrous

  • they used brute force and cruelty to enact their lords’ wishes

  • they used their own military power to take as much tax and rent from people who lived on the land under their control

describe William the Conqueror’s military skills

• it was likely that he was very strong, as chroniclers suggest he could fire give arrows from a heavy bow while on horseback, steering the horse with his legs

• William finally won complete control of Normandy in 1047 when his army defeated his cousins who was trying to take over Normandy

describe William the Conqueror’s skills in maintaining peace and security

• When the town of Alencon rebelled against him, he cut off the hands and feet of 32 of its inhabitants

• He was especially concerned about the threat of the Count of Anjou, whose lands lay to the south of Normandy. In 1049, he led his army to defeat Anjou and in the 1050’s he twice defeated invasions from the combined forces of Anjou and France

• By 1060, William was secure from attacks by other rulers and dominated northern France.

describe William the Conqueror’s skills in organising a system of government

William proved himself to be a brilliant strategist

describe William the Conqueror’s skills in winning the support of his nobles

William also won support by giving important positions to local landowners. They realised there were benefits in supporting William – if they didn’t, he would take their land away and exile them

describe William the Conqueror’s skills in maintaining a good relationship with the Church

• William also won the support of religious leaders who were very influential

• He appointed Odo, his half-brother, as Bishop of Bayeux, one of the most powerful positions in the Norman Church

• William was deeply religious, attending Mass most mornings, he built spectacular cathedrals and monasteries in Normandy

describe William the Conqueror’s skills in producing an heir to inherit the kingdom

• William married Matilda, daughter of the Count of Flanders, a powerful landowner in northern France

• The marriage therefore added to William’s power and influence. William and Matilda had 9 children, 4 of them were boys.

describe how William the Conqueror’s qualities helped him conquer and control England

• His military skills and strategy, his ties with the Church, and his ability to produce multiple heirs. He combines military and political prowess to dominate England. Ruthless when needed to be - makes statement about his power

• Military skills and strategy - helps to conquer and control England through cruelty and ruthlessness

• Ties with Church - allows him to control one of the most important aspects of Anglo Saxon culture

• Ability to produce multiple heirs - secures his lineage and right to the crown

• Hard to control unfamiliar environment - different customs, larger area, differing culture

• Rebellion - dealing with two territories (England and Normandy)

spring 1070

• King Swein was unable to invade England in 1070

• this invasion was prevented due to bad conditions - marshland and water

state significance of island of Ely and Hereward the Wake, 1070-1071

• became a centre for many English rebels - held by Hereward for over a year

  • William tried to deal with the rebels, but was unable to overcome the problems of the marshland and water

• leader of rebels was Hereward the Wake

• Hereward the Wake was an effective resistance leader but lacked key support to achieve the King of England

• Hereward had Danish allies

• Hereward’s most dramatic act was to attack Peterborough Abbey, a Norman establishment

1071

• Morcar joined the English rebels

• Danes could easily sail up the local rivers and along the coast to raid and trigger more English rebellions

• English exiles could also join the effort on the island of Ely by sea

describe how William the Conqueror dealt with rebellion

• DANES - SUCCESS

  • William sent messages to King Swein offering him money if the Danes went home

  • the bribe worked and the Danes sailed away with William’s bribe and treasure they’d stolen from Peterborough Abbey

• ENGLISH 1 - FAIL

  • William surrounded and tried to build a bridge to the Isle of Ely

  • the bridge collapsed under the weight of the chevaliers and cavalry, causing them to sink and drown in the marshlands

• ENGLISH 2 - SUCCESS

  • William built a second bridge by tying small boats and wooden planks together

  • they fought the rebels on the isle - Hereward escaped, Morcar surrendered (and was imprisoned for life)

  • some rebels had their hands or feet cut off or eyes pulled out

  • this violence towards rebels acted as a warning to a any future rebels

December 25th 1066

William the Conqueror is crowned

explain why many of the English were opposed to William the Conqueror being crowned

• William tried to take control by:

  • giving English lords’ lands to Norman nobles

  • increased tax

  • promised to make political relationships with English enemies

who began the first uprising against the Normans

Eadric the Wild

describe why Eadric the Wild began the rebellion

• he had his land given to Norman lords after William’s coronation

  • he wanted to raid Norman-held land

• he was one of the most powerful English lords

who plotted the rebellion in Exeter

Gyrtha - King Harold’s mother

describe Gyrtha’s rebellion to William the Conqueror

• Gyrtha sent Harold’s sons (her grandsons) to gather an army to drive out the Normans

• William tried to put an end to this by asking the rebels to swear an oath of loyalty to him

• the rebels refused and stated William wasn’t allowed in Exeter and they wouldn’t be paying taxes

• William gathered an army and marched to Exeter, where a group met him and promised he could enter the city

• the people of Exeter were furious at this group, so William had to besiege the city

• after 18 days, Exeter was forced to surrender and beg for mercy

• the Exeter rebels weren’t punished but Gyrtha lost her land and a large castle was built in Exeter

describe the rebellion to William the Conqueror in 1069-1070

• 1069 - William marched to the north of England to defeat the rebels

• William received a message from the northern people which noted if he entered their land, they would fight back

• 3 powerful earls: Edgar Aethling, Edwin and Morcar joined the rebellions against William

• William gathered an army and marched north, building numerous castles along the way

• Edwin and Morcar surrendered, William didn’t kill/imprison them but their influence and power was severely damaged

• when William eventually reached York, the rebels were gone and he returned home; building more castles on the way

January 5th 1066

• King Edward the Confessor died

• Harold was crowned the next day

Spring 1066

• Tostig raided the south coast but was driven north to Scotland

• William prepared his invasion fleet causing Harold to raise land and sea forces to guard the coast

September 8th 1066

Harold disbanded his army

mid September 1066

Tostig and Harald Hardrada (King of Norway), sailed into the Humber

September 20th 1066

Tostig and Harald defeated Edwin and Morcar at Gate Fulford

September 24th 1066

Harold mustered his army at Tadcaster after a rapid march north

September 25th 1066

Harold surprises and defeats the invaders in the Battle of Stamford Bridge

September 28th-29th 1066

William crossed the channel, landing at Pevensey

October 1st 1066

Harold heard of the Norman landing and began marching south

what challenges did Harold face from the spring of 1066

• Edward dies in January 1066 - Harold takes the throne the day after this event

• Tostig, Harold’s half-brother (who lost his nobility in 1055 due to Harold), begins to attack the east coast of England in April 1066

• William begins to pose a threat to Harold’s monarchy in July 1066

what did Harold do to prepare for possible invasion

• collect large amount of taxes

• gather the fyrd (army)

why was the fyrd disbanded

• there was no invasion from the Normans by September 1066

• many of the troops had to deal with the harvest at this time, so couldn’t be off the fields any longer

when did Harald Hardrada’s forces land

• Tostig joined forces with Harald to launch an attack on eastern England

• Tostig and Harald’s forces landed in the north-east of England

state what Harald’s troops consisted of

• 240-300 ships

• 10,000-15,000 men

who won the Battle of Fulford

• Harald and Tostig placed their base in York

• after defeating Edwin and Morcar

• on September 20th 1066

who won the Battle of Stamford Bridge

• Harald and Tostig were caught unaware and killed

• on September 25th 1066

• as they were unaware Harold had gathered the fyrd and marched up to York in less than a week

what promise did Harold make in 1064

• Harold allegedly declared his support of William’s claim to the throne

• this is alleged as it is unknown whether Harold ever visited Normandy

• and if so, under what circumstances

which historical artefact tells the story of William’s invasion of England

Bayeux tapestry

when did William the Conqueror set sail for England

September 27th 1066

describe William the Conqueror’s sail to England in 1066

• he sailed with 300 ships

• landed in the south-east of England

• on September 28th-29th

why was the Saxon army not waiting to meet William on September 29th

• Harold’s fyrd was fighting Tostig and Harald in York

• in the Battle of Fulford

• on September 20th 1066

describe the evidence that the Viking army was not wearing helmets at Battle of Stamford Bridge

• excavated skulls show severe damage from swords and axes

• helmets would have reduced the impact on the head from the weapons

how did William get Harold to come face him at Hastings

burnt and pillaged surrounding villages

describe Harold’s army

• housecarls - personal followers

• thegns - knights (bound by duty to follow their lord into battle)

• fyrd - mobile soldiers (paid to fight)

describe the difference in the Saxon and Norman preparations on the night before the Battle of Hastings

• Normans spent their night praying

• Saxons spent their night drinking and toasting

what was the name of the hill on which the Saxons set up their defensive shield wall

Senlac ridge

why did William throw off his helmet on the battlefield during the Battle of Hastings

• rumours that William was dead made the Norman army lose morale

• by taking off his helmet, William showed his soldiers he was alive and they still had reason to fight

what mistake did the Saxons make when William’s cavalry charge failed to break the shield wall

• the Saxons began to pursue the fleeing cavalry

• leading to them losing their advantage of high ground on Senlac Ridge

describe Harold’s death in the Battle of Hastings

• he was shot in the eye with an arrow

• he was hacked to death minutes later

• Harold’s knights and fyrd fled after his death

• Harold’s housecarls remained

how many Saxons died at the Battle of Hastings

6,000 - 10,000

state where Harold Godwinson is buried

Waltham Abbey church

state when and where William the Conqueror was crowned

• December 25th 1066

• in Westminster Abbey

where did William build his first castle after his coronation

Hastings