Modern History - The Norman Conquest

In what ways was England different before 1066?

Divided into earldoms, forested, hierachial, very religious, 2 million people, defended by 2500-3000 huscarls, very wealthy

What happened in 1016?

Ethelred the Unready died and Canute took over from Denmark

Who took over in 1042 and why?

Edward the Confessor: After Canute took over, Ethelred’s family were murdered. Edward survived and came back later, having grown up with Normans

Who rebelled in 1051?

The Godwins (Edward was one). After Edward defeated them, he exiled many and appointed more Normans which the Witan (council of lords) disliked. Edward had to restore Godwin and expel the Normans

Why was the death of Edward the Confessor on 5th January 1066 significant?

He had no children due to taking a vow of chastity

What methods were there to pick a new king?

Inheritance, post obitum (nominated by writing, meaning after death), novissima verba (last word, a verbal appointment), Witan (nobles and churchmen appointed an heir) and force (battling for the country)

What claimants were there?

Edgar Aetheling - Edward’s grandnephew and closest relative, but he was a teenager with no experience or soldiers

Harald Hardrada - King of Norway, King Harthacanute of England (grandson of Canute) promised Magnus (Hardrada’s father) he could be King next. When Harthacanute died, Magnus was in Norway fighting and could not take the throne. Hardrada felt he was entitled.

What claimants were there? (2)

Harold Godwinson - Brother in law of Edward, Earl of Wessex and Sub-Regulus. He was supposedly named by Edward as heir on his deathbed.

William, Duke of Normandy - Edward supposedly promised William earlier because William assisted England. He claimed that in 1064, Harold had sworn over sacred relics that he could be King. Harold responded saying it was an oath to William, not that he should be King, and that he was held hostage.

What two events happened on 6th January?

Edward was buried and Harold was crowned

Why could William not get to England?

The wind was blowing towards him, so he would be pushed back to Normandy if he tried to sail now. Harold waited in the south but eventually had to disband his army.

Who was carried to England by the same winds?

Hardrada

What did Hardrada do and how did Godwinson respond?

Take York, then defeat the Saxons at Fulford Gate. Harold marched north with 15,000 men, crossing 185 miles in four days and he caught the Norwegians by surprise

Who sided with Hardrada?

The exiled earl of Northumbria, Tostig Godwinson who was exiled for harsh rule

How did Hardrada win at Fulford?

The main forces fought each other while Hardrada went around their back and encircled them

Where did they meet next and how did the battle occur?

They met at Stamford Bridge, where only a fraction of the Viking army was. Hardrada was not expecting the attack and called for three of the fastest horsemen to gather reinforcements. The unarmoured men formed a shield wall while a beserker supposedly held off 40 men. After he was killed, Godwinson was victorious. Hardrada and Tostig were killed with other Vikings allowed to return so long as they promised to never invade again.

What happened after the victory?

William arrived and Harold had to march 250 miles in a week: William had been preparing

How did each side position at Hastings?

Harold’s huscarls in the centre forming a shield wall and fyrdmen to the side. William’s foot soldiers, archers and cavalry were positioned in rows.

How did the battle go?

The Normans did not make it past until a rumour started that William died. He made it clear he was alive and the Normans feigned a retreat, luring the Saxons in and encircling them. William also used the Papal Banner for inspiration: his men would go to heaven.

What military innovations did the Normans make?

Archers, including crossbowmen - crossbows required far less training due to not being pulled back etc

The mace and club - Likely used by Saxons, could hit over head with or throw

Cavalry - A close team, Saxons used cavalry but not in battle

Lances

What were the features of Norman castles?

A palisade (fence), keep (tower), ditch/moat, bailey (a small village) and a motte

When was William crowned and what dramatic event occured?

Christmas Day, the local townspeople cheered in support of William, but the French guards thought it to be a riot so burned the village

What happened to earls leading Northumbria from 1066-71?

Morcar was replaced, his two successors murdered, Cospatrick paid William to be earl but joined the rebels in the north, William’s Norman earl (Robert de Commines) was massacred in Durham with his 900 soldiers

Who led the rebels and who helped him?

Edgar Aetheling, helped by Sweyn II of Denmark

Who did William send to take care of each group of rebels?

Deputies to the southwest, he went to Wales and then Northumbria. Edgar fled to Scotland and the Danes were paid off.

What did William do in the Harrying of the North?

Raided it, burned villages, massacred the inhabitants and killed/destroyed land, crops and livestock

What happened in the Rebellion of the Welsh Border?

Edric the Wild, supported by Welsh princes, took land along the border. He was defeated

What was the Revolt of Eustace?

Eustace (brother in law of Edward) attempted to take Dover Castle in Kent but Kent did not support him, after defeat by William’s knights, he made peace

What happened when Exeter rebelled?

He besieged it and they surrendered after 18 days, a castle was built there

What happened with Hereward the Wake?

William killed Hereward’s brother. In 1070, the Saxons looted and burnt a Norman abbey, then hid on the Isle of Ely. The marshes made things difficult for William and he attempted to use a witch but the rebels burnt her to death. They were told of a secret passage by people unhappy with Hereward burning their abbey: the rebels were defeated.

What happened when William’s own earls rebelled?

Ralph de Gael and Roger de Breteuil rebelled because of Ralph’s power being reduced. They were encouraged by Philip I of France who feared William becoming too powerful, William sent Lanfranc and Bishop Odo. Ralph retreated and William beheaded the Earl of Whaltheof who was the last English earl, while the other rebels were blinded and executed.