1066 England and Norman Conquest: Key Events, People, and Battles
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129 Terms
What was England like in 1066?
A wealthy, well-organised country with a strong government, economy, and legal system.
Who was the king of England in 1066?
Edward the Confessor
Which group advised the king?
The Witan
Which two types of people made up the Witan?
Earls and Archbishops
What group made up most of society?
Peasants
Who was the most powerful earl?
Godwin, Earl of Wessex
Name one decision only a king could make.
Declare war or raise taxes
How much tax did earls keep?
One third
What were burhs?
Fortified towns used for defence
What did England import?
Wine from Normandy
What did England export?
Wool
Who raided England?
Vikings
Who ran local law courts?
Shire reeves (sheriffs)
What was the hue and cry?
A system where everyone had to help catch criminals
What religion was followed?
Christianity
What does celibate mean?
Priests could not marry
What were two Church corruptions?
Pluralism and simony
What was the Saxon army called?
Fyrd
Who were the king’s bodyguards?
Housecarls
Which earldom did Tostig control?
Northumbria
Which Scottish king invaded Northumbria?
Malcolm III
Who lived in the Danelaw?
Viking settlers
How was law different in the Danelaw?
Allowed different customs like multiple wives
How did Godwin challenge Edward in 1051?
Raised an army and forced exile reversal
What caused the succession crisis?
Edward died without an heir
Who did the Witan choose?
Harold Godwinson
Who had the strongest blood claim?
Edgar Aetheling
Why was Edgar not chosen?
He was young and inexperienced
What was William of Normandy promised in 1064?
The English throne
Who else claimed the throne?
Harald Hardrada
Which battle did the English lose?
Battle of Gate Fulford
Which battle did the English win?
Battle of Stamford Bridge
What tactic was used at Stamford Bridge?
Surprise attack
Which battle decided the conquest?
Battle of Hastings
What tactic did the Saxons use?
Shield wall
What tactic did Normans use?
False retreat
What advantage did Normans have?
Cavalry and archers
Who won Hastings?
Normans
Who died at Hastings?
Harold Godwinson
How did William secure control after Hastings?
Burned land (harrying tactics) to spread fear
Why couldn’t Edgar resist?
William controlled the treasury at Winchester
When was William crowned?
25 December 1066
⸻
🏰 Norman Control
What was the feudal system?
A hierarchy where land was exchanged for loyalty and service
Who owned all land?
The king
Who were tenants-in-chief?
Nobles given land directly by the king
How many were there by 1087?
Around 190, mostly Normans
What was homage?
A ceremony where nobles swore loyalty
What was knight service?
40 days military service per year
How many knights did William have?
Around 6000
What was a relief?
A payment to inherit land
⸻
🏯 Castles
Why did William build castles?
To control land and intimidate locals
What was a motte-and-bailey castle?
A wooden castle on a hill (motte) with enclosed courtyard (bailey)
Name features of castles.
Palisade, ditch, keep, drawbridge
⸻
⚔️ Rebellions
Which earls resisted William early?
Edwin and Morcar
What caused rebellions?
Loss of land, harsh rule, Norman violence
What happened in 1069?
Northern rebellion and Danish invasion
What did rebels do first?
Killed Norman Earl Robert Cumin
Who supported rebels?
Malcolm III and Sweyn Forkbeard
Why were Vikings unreliable allies?
They wanted payment
What was the Harrying of the North?
A brutal campaign destroying northern England
How many died?
Around 100,000 (estimate)
Who led Ely resistance?
Hereward the Wake
When did Norman earls rebel?
1075
Why did they rebel?
Loss of power and smaller earldoms
How did it fail?
Betrayal and lack of coordination
⸻
🛡️ Government + Control
What were marcher earldoms?
Border regions with special powers
Where were they?
Bordering Wales
What powers did marcher earls have?
Build castles and rule independently
Who were William’s regents?
Odo of Bayeux, William FitzOsbern, Lanfranc
How did William change the Witan?
Replaced with a Great Council of landholders
What was forest law?
Laws protecting royal hunting land
What language did Normans speak?
French
⸻
⛪ Church
Who was Stigand?
Archbishop of Canterbury under Saxons
Who replaced him?
Lanfranc
How did William control the Church?
Bishops had to swear loyalty