Y10 History (Anglo Saxons)

What was Norman kingship like under William I?

King had absolute authority, controlled law, land, Church and army, ruled through fear and rewards, built lots of castles (c. 500 in England)

What was Anglo-Saxon kingship like?

King ruled with advice from the Witan, power depended on support from nobles, King led the army and made laws

How did Norman kingship differ from Anglo-Saxon kingship?

Normans centralised power, less reliance on advisers, strong military control

How was law and order kept in Anglo-Saxon England?

Earldoms → Shires → Hundreds → Tithings → Hides. Collective responsibility, punishments includes fines (Weregild)

What changes did the Normans make to law and order?

Introduced murdrum fines, increased punishments, law enforced more harshly

What were murdrum fines?

Fines on whole communities if a Norman was killed. Encouraged locals to police themselves

What was the Anglo-Saxon social structure?

King → Earls → Thegns → Ceorls → Slaves

What was the Norman social structure?

King → Tenants-in-chief → Under-tenants → Peasants

How did Norman social structure differ?

Feudal system, land given in return for loyalty, clear hierarchy controlled by king

Why did William introduce feudalism?

To reward loyalty, control England and prevent rebellion

How was land owned in Anglo-Saxon England?

King owned land but shared power, Earls and Thegns held land, some land owned freely

How did William change land ownership?

All land belonged to the king, given to Norman barons, Anglo-Saxon elites lost land, delegated powers had less land

Why did William redistribute land?

To reward Normans, weaken Anglo-Saxon resistance and secure control

When was the Domesday Book made?

1086

What was the Domesday book?

Survey of land and wealth; used for taxation and showed William’s control

What was the Anglo-Saxon economy based on?

Farming, trade, taxes (geld)

Why was the Domesday book important?

Increased tax efficiency, asserted royal authority, showed England's resources

What was the Anglo-Saxon church like?

Stigand → Commited simony and pluralism. Churches built of wood and stone, bishops advised the King

Why did William reform the church?

To control England, gain support from the Pope and strengthen authority

How did William change the church?

Replaced Anglo-Saxon bishops → Lanfranc. Built Norman cathedrals using strone from Normandy, increased power + royal control → Church courts

How did Anglo-Saxons defend England?

Fyrd → Part time army of ordinary freedmen. Housecarls → Professional soldiers

How did Normans control England millitarily?

Castle building → Motte and Bailey. Norman army and cavalry, brutal responses to rebellion → Harrying of The North

What battles happened in 1066?

Fulford Gate → 20th September. Stamford Bridge → 25th September. Hastings → 14th October

Why were castles important?

Controlled population, defended territory, symbol of Norman power

Why was the Harrying of the North important?

Norman response to rebellion, villages destroyed (e.g. York), showed William's brutality

Why did rebellions fail?

Marcher earls → Hugh d’Avranches, FitzOsbern, Roger de Montgomery. Castles → c.500. Harsh punishments → e.g. Waltheof beheaded

Where was Anglo-Saxon resistance strongest after 1066?

North and East

What happened in the revolt of Edwin and Morcar?

(1068) Edwin and Morcar rebelled against William → Mercia + Northumbria. William responsed by building castles e.g. Warwick, Nottingham

Why did the revolt of Edwin and Morcar fail?

Lack of widespread support, William had a fast military response, Norman castles controlled key areas