Modern History - Life Under the Normans

What was the feudal system?

The system that divided Norman England into its different groups based on how much land was owned

What were the different groups in the feudal system from top to bottom?

King, earls/barons and bishops*, thegns/knights*, peasants

*Denotes there were different names in the Saxon one (first) and Norman one (second)

What was homage?

Swearing on the Bible to be loyal and hold the land. Violating homage could lead to forfeiture of land

Who controlled the land on behalf of William?

Tenants in chief (barons and bishops) where the land was controlled on a smaller scale by undertenants (knights) who may also be known as lord of the manor

How did William divide land?

He personally had 20%, the Church had 25% and the rest was spread out amongst nobles

What were shire courts and how did they change under the Normans?

Twice a year, a sheriff heard cases in each shire. Norman honorial courts replaced them eventually.

What were hundred courts?

Shires were divided into hundreds, hundred courts met more frequently, ran by deputy of sheriff under Normans. Met more often under Normans than shire courts

How did inheritance change?

Anglo Saxons inherited amongst all children, regardless of age or sex. The Normans made it for the eldest son (primogeniture)

What was the oath system and murdrum fines?

Swearing on an oath used by both Saxons and Normans. The Normans added murdrum fines where if an Earl was murdered, the murderer’s area was taxed

What were the three major ordeals?

Fire - Someone would grip something very hot and walk with it. After a period of time (typically a short one), they’d be considered innocent if their wounds had healed (very, very unlikely!) and guilty if they hadn’t.

Water - They would be lowered into water. If they floated, they were considered guilty and if sank, innocent (but also likely dead)

Combat - The two combatants would fight and the winner be considered correct

What was the Domesday Book?

A survey across England giving information about where people lived, their property, earnings and tax

Why and when did William commission the Domesday Book? And why was it called the Domesday Book?

1085, written 1086; to have the information necessary in event of another Danish invasion. It was called the Domesday Book because it felt like judgement to the Saxons (like Doomsday)

What were villages like?

Most people (around 90%) lived in villages where they did common tasks like ploughing fields and growing crops. The most important building was the church which was not only used religiously but the bell told peasants when to start and stop working.

Where would people in a village live?

Peasants (specifically serfs and villeins who were unfree) would live in huts made of mud. They were cold and damp, and often colder than the outside. They often only had one room in which they did everything together. Freemen lived in the manor.

Which people helped run villages?

Reeve - Worked on behalf of the Crown as a peasant. Might be as a magistrate or other roles. Either elected by peasants or chosen by lord.

Bailiff - Collected taxes and ensured debts and crops were correctly dealt with.

Priest - Ran the church, made sure marriages and wills were legal.

Miller - Produced grain to make bread baked in the oven of the lord of the manor. Lord decided their pay.

What did peasants do in each season?

Spring - sowing seeds

Summer - harvesting crops

Autumn - ploughing fields

Winter - surviving off what was left

Peasants worked six days a week.

What would peasants eat?

Half an hour before sunrise, a form of porridge called pottage was eaten. They would have some rye bread in the day, and would for dinner eat vegetables with beer or cider. Meat was expensive for most as was sugar. The rich would eat meat and sugar.

Why was life so hard for peasants?

Many children died before 6 months, lacked education etc. Freemen had to do at least one day a week for their owner, and five when harvesting. They had to pay a tithe to the church either in money or in goods like food or equipment.

How many towns were recorded under the Domesday Book?

112

What were some large towns?

London, Colchester, York, Norwich, Lincoln

What were some reasons for new towns?

William encouraged it (for more money), living near new cathedrals, living near new castles, trade with France, demand for salt (to preserve food), the wool trade with Belgium