Norman England Conquest and Control GCSE History AQA

Edward the Confessor's death, claimants to the throne and more.

What was England before 1066?

England had been ruled by Anglo-Saxons for hundreds of years.

England was divided into separate earldoms. The most powerful one was Wessex.

Edward the Confessor was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.

Ruled from 1042-1066.

Spent 20 years in his life living in Normandy and knew William Duke of Normandy.

Very religious had no heir.

Who was Earl Godwin?

Powerful Anglo-Saxon who was Earl of Wessex from 1018.

Why was he so powerful?

Held lands and is rich.

Has a large family and a lot of sons, including Harold Godwinson.

His family made good political marriages- Edward the Confessor married Godwin’s daughter, Edith.

Edward was not a strong king, relied on Godwin to help him.

Why was Earl Godwin exiled?

Hated that Edward’s Norman friends were given power and influence.

Exiled from England, but returned in 1051. Edward allowed him to restore his earldom.

He then built up the power of his family.

Died 1053. Harold Godwinson became the earl of Wessex after.

When did Edward the Confessor die?

5th January 1066.

Who were the four claimants to the throne?

Edgar Atheling, Harold Godwinson, Harald Hadrada and William Duke of Normandy.

Edgar Atheling.

Great nephew of king Edward (closest living blood tie)

Edward did not name him as heir.

Was Anglo-Saxon.

Had the support of many earls.

He was only 14/15 years old.

Inexperienced and unable to lead in battle.

Harold Godwinson.

Brother-in-law of Edward the Confessor.

From house of Godwin-powerful family in England.

Earl of Wessex after his father’s death (most powerful earldom)

Skilled warrior and military leader.

Claimed that Edward promised the crown to him on his deathbed.

Was Anglo-Saxon.

Swore an oath on holy relics to William on 1064.

Harald Hadrada.

No blood relation.

Believed he had a claim as his father had a claim but died.

Foreigner.

Had experience of running a country.

Was a feared warrior with a reputation of being great in battle.

Had a large army.

William Duke of Normandy.

Distant cousin of Edward the Confessor.

Edward the Confessor, raised in Normandy and knew William well.

Became Duke of Normandy at the age of 7.

A great soldier who fought and won many battles.

Had the support of the Pope and the Catholic Church.

When was Edward the Confessor’s funeral?

6th January 1066.

When was Harold Godwinson’s coronation?

6th January 1066.

Why did William prepare to invade England?

Discovered that Godwinson had taken the throne for himself on 6th January 1066 and was furious.

In 1064, Harold Godwinson had visited Normandy and promised William that he would allow him to take the throne when Edward the Confessor’s died.

In 1066, Harold Godwinson went back on his sacred oath.

How did William prepare to invade England?

The retrieval of the Papal Banner, Build and recruited armies, Built a navy and he prepared properly to cross the English channel.

The Retrieval of the Papa Banner from the Pope.

William sent Lanfrac to Rome to retrieve the Papal Banner.

The Papal Banner would help William recruit thousands of men as they believe they were fighting with God (holy war)

William promised to reform the corrupt English church in return for the banner.

He build and recruits an army.

He travelled all over France and Sicily raising an army.

The Papal Banner encouraged men to join.

7-8,000 men joined.

He built a navy.

Did not have a navy, so he built one for the invasion.

700 flat-bottomed boats were built.

This type of ship can carry horses. Most of William’s men were cavalry (horseback)

Also bought ‘flat pack castles’ to assemble easily once they arrived in England.

Bought weapons, (crossbows, arrows and more)

He prepared properly to cross the English Channel.

Before sailing for England, William looked after his men and ensured his men were well fed so they did not suffer.

Moved his fleet and men from the mouth if the River Dives to the mouth of the River Somme.

Cut the journey to England in half.

Did Harold Godwinson wait for William to come to England?

During the summer months, Harold Godwinson expected William and waited in the army in the south.

Due to the weather and William’s preparations, He didn’t come when Harold expected him to.

What did Harold Godwinson do next?

Harold and his army left the south of England.

Where did William land in?

William landed in Pevensey, 28th September 1066. He faced no opposition.

What did William and his men do next?

Began building Motte and Bailey Castles.

What date was the Battle of Fulford Gate?

20th September 1066.

Where is Fulford?

Just outside of York.

How many attackers were there?

7,000 Vikings. Led by Harald Hadrada and Tostig Godwinson.

Who were the defenders?

Anglo-Saxon earls, Edwin and Morcar and around 3500 members of the English army.

What was the outcome of the Battle of Fulford Gate?

Hadrada and Tostig are victorious. They go rest and wait for hostages at a place called Stamford Bridge.

When was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

25th September 1066.

What was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Fought on 25th September 1066, between Harold Godwinson’s army, Hadrada and Tostig’s Viking invaders.

What happened at the battle of Stamford Bridge?

Victory for Harold’s Anglo-Saxon army.

Hadrada and Tostig demanded after Fulford and were waiting for them at Stamford Bridge.

Harold and his army launched a surprise attack on the Vikings.

Hadrada and Tostig were both killed.

Only 24/300 ships returned home.

Why did Harold win the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Harold has military advantages.

The Vikings left their armour on their ships and around a third of their men.

Harold took Hadrada by surprise, as they had not expected him to arrive in the north so quickly.

Hadrada’s army had recently fought a battle and were not expected one so soon.

Anglo-Saxon under Godwinson, leader and experience.

Harold-experienced and had fought against the Welsh and the Vikings.

Anglo-Saxon specialist soldiers.

Anglo-Saxon housecarls and thegns.

Anglo-Saxon regular army.

Fyrd soldiers, around 7,000 inexperienced as usually farmers.

Anglo-Saxon weapons and armour.

Housecarls used double-handed axes, pikes and shields. They had armour.

Fyrd used pitchforks, farming equipments and weapons/armour taken from dead.

Anglo-Saxon state of the army (tiredness)

Harold had marched his army north in 4 days to face Hadrada. He then marched his army south. His army was exhausted.

Anglo-Saxon battle style/tactics.

Their tactic was the shield wall. They would interlock shields together to prevent enemy soldiers from entering.

Harold was positioned in the centre of his troops on foot.

Anglo-Saxon didn’t use horses.

Anglo-Saxon position on the battlefield (Seniac Hill)

Anglo-Saxon were positioned at the top of the Seniac Hill.

Normans under William leader and experience.

William conquered many areas around Normandy and Sicily.

Norman specialist soldiers.

Normans had knights trained from 3, riding horses that were trained to kick/bite.

Norman regular army.

A mixture of men from Normandy and Europe that William had gathered, around 7,000.

Norman weapons and armour.

Normans used cross-bows, large shields and pikes. They wore armour.

Norman state of the army (tiredness)

William landed at Pevensey on 28th September 1066. The Normans built a castle and burnt villages.

They had days to rest/prepare, William bought horses/supplies.

Norman battle style/tactics.

Infantry attacked on foot and archers were.

William rode a horse. Knights fought on horseback.

Norman position on the battlefield (Seniac Hill)

William arrived at the battle scene first but was at the bottom of the Seniac Hill.

When was the Battke of Hastings?

14th October 1066.

What was the Battle of Hastings?

Took place between the armies of William Duke of Normandy and Harold Godwinson, king of England. It was a victory for the Normans.

What happened at the battle of Hastings?

Anglo-Saxons gained the higher ground which gave them an advantage.

The Anglo-Saxon formed a shield wall at the top of the hill.

William send his foot soldiers up the hill, followed by his cavalry but they could not break the shield wall.

A rumour spread that William had been killed. He lifted his helmet to show his face and encouraged them.

Harold’s shield wall was weakened by the feigned retreat and it was eventually broken.

How did the cavalry help the Norman army win the Battle of Hastings?

The Norman cavalry was deadly, with a strong charge and a height advantage in combat.

Once the shield wall was broken, they devastated the Anglo-Saxon troops.

How did the Battle of Hastings end?

With the shield broken, the Norman cavalry charged.

Harold Godwinson and most of the housecarls were killed.

Remaining troops fled.

Why did William win the Battle of Hastings?

Mistakes made by Harold Godwinson, William’s leadership skills/superior/tactics/decisions, Luck (cannot be controlled)

Mistakes made by Harold Godwinson.

Harold was on foot-limited his ability to command.

Harold marched into battle after Stamford Bridge, without resting his men or gathering enough troops.

Harold Godwinson’s men were exhausted.

Harold fought alongside the Normans 1064 and was aware of the feigned retreat, but his men still fell for it.

William’s leadership skills/superior/tactics/decisions.

William was on horseback so had more control.

William’s army had time to rest before the battle.

The Normans were organised around the battlefield.

William could be seen by his men.

William took his time to invade and he as made all the preparations necessary.

William had better weapons-crossbows, archers and cavalry.

Luck (cannot be controlled)

Harold was killed over an arrow to the eye.

The battle was over.

Due to the weather, Godwinson defeated Hadrada before William arrived. This wiped out Hadrada for William.

The Weather delayed William’s invasion.

Hadrada invaded at the same time as William, forcing Harold Godwinson to fight on two ends of the country.

What did William do in between Hastings and becoming king of England?

He moved east to Kent to secure the ports to stop Anglo-Saxon trade.

October:travelled to Canterbury and secured control by forced Stigand to submit to him.

October:he attacked and burnt Southwark in retaliation for them resisting him in London.

October:he travelled and took over Winchester, (English treasury), where royal income was collected and gold, silver and other valuables were held.

October: travelled to Berkhamsted and insisted an oath of loyalty from Edgar Atheling, Edwin and Morcar and other earls.

December:He was crowned on Christmas Day 1066. The ceremony was in Westminster Abbey.

January 1067:took land from Anglo-Saxon earls and began giving it to Norman barons to reward them.

What were the Motte and Bailey Castles built by?

The Normans.

What were Motte and Bailey Castles?

The earliest castles. The Motte was a large mound of earth that was topped with a keep, a wooden tower. The motte was surrounded by a Bailey that contained the stables, barracks and kitchens.

How many castles did the Normans build?

1,000 castles.

What was the purpose of building castles?

To keep control. Built to defend themselves but then to intimidate the local population. Once William had established control, they were used as a centre for trade.

Where were they built?

Built in strategic locations such as key transport routes. Located where there was more likely unrest so there were many castles on the Welsh border.

Advantages of Motte and Bailey Castles.

Quick and easy to build with peasant labour.

Could be constructed in weeks. Basic ones-days.

Provided a secure base for the lord and soldiers.

Symbol of Norman power.

Were new in England which made them intimidating to the Anglo-Saxons.

What were the features of the Motte and Bailey Castles?

Motte was a large mound of earth.

The keep was a wooden tower on top of the Motte, that was a lookout-the most secure position in the castle.

The keep was accessed by steps cut into the Motte or a bridge.

The Bailey surrounded the Motte and contained the stables, barracks and kitchens.

The Bailey was protected by a strong wooden fence called a palisade.

A ditch surrouded by the Bailey and the motte-filled with water.

Entry to the castle was controlled by a drawbridge.

Rebellion led by Edwin and Morcar.

Both Edwin and Morcar (brothers) were earls under Godwinson.

Led a rebellion in London straight after the Battke of Hastings but it was soon put down by the Normans.

They were forced to swear an oath of loyalty to William in Berkhamsed before his coronation.

He silenced them to keep their lands and titles.

The rebellion in the Welsh border 1067.

The Welsh border was always challenging for any ruler to control.

Started in 1067.

Edric the Wild started a revolt with Anglo-Saxon supporters and the Welsh princes.

Failed in 1069, they tried again but William again squashed the rebellion.

The revolt of Eustace 1068.

Edward the Confessor’s brother in law, Eustace, attacked Dover Castle.

Odo, (William’s brother) was taking care of this castle whilst William was in Normandy.

Eustace was easily defeated and made peace with William.

South West and Exeter 1069.

The city of Exeter rebelled against William 1068. They refused to accept him.

William dealt with this by besieging the city for 18 days.

Exeter eventually surrendered.

William built a castle there and left his half-brother, Robert of Mortain in charge.

The revolts of the Norman earls 1075.

William faced a rebellion with his Norman earls.

Threat=showed rebellion from his people.

Last serious resistance.

Led by Ralph de Gael and Roger de Breteuil and supported by key English Earl, Waltheof.

William sent bishops to put down the rebellion with brutal force.

Anglo-Saxon, Waltheof was beheaded whilst other rebels were blinded and killed.

Norman Roger De Breteuil was spared, probably because he was Norman and William was friends with his father.

Define Harrying.

To devastate.

What was the Harrying of the North?

William decided to deal with uprisings in the north with the ‘Harrying of the North’.

Norman soldiers stormed villages, killing many people, burning fields and destroying livestock and food stores.

When?

Winter, 1069 and continued in 1070.

What was the importance?

It was a turning point in William’s strategic for dealing with rebellions.

The consequences made it difficult to continue resisting against William.

Why?

William ordered the harrying of the north in a fit of rage.

Regretted it afterwards.

Many Normans, including Norman Earl Robert Cumin, had been killed by Anglo-Saxon rebels.

The rebellion in the north triggered other rebellions across England.

Short term effects of the Harrying of the North.

100,000-150,000 people were killed/died of starvation from famine.

Many who survived were displaced as refugees.

Long term effect of the Harrying of the North.

No further uprising in the North.

16 yrs later, the Domesday book showed that 1/3 of Yorkshire was still wasteland.

William replaced Anglo-Saxon earls with Normans.

The harrying was criticised by the pope.

William gave a lot of money to the church as penance.

What year the rebellion of Hereward the Wake?

1070-1071.

What was the rebellion of Hereward the Wake?

Hereward the Wake began a rebellion in Ely.

Supported by Vikings from Denmark.

Who was involved and why?

Hereward was a thegn who was exiled under Edward the Confessor.

Returned to England in 1069 to find his lands had been seized by the Normans and that they killed hid brother.

Joined a rebellion with English earls, King Sweyn and launched series of guerrilla-style attacks in the marshlands at Ely.

Hereward knew the local terrain/land. He could use this to his advantage.

The Danes and Anglo-Saxon raided Peterborough Abbey, but the Danes then sailed away with it’s wealth.

How did William deal with guerrila warfare during the rebellion of Hereward the Wake?

William encircled the island of Ely. Built a 2 mile bridge. Too many Normans crossed the bridge and it collapsed and sank into the marshlands, drowning many Normans soldiers.

William then built a tower. As a sign of desperation, William employed a witch to curse Hereward from the top of the tower.

Hereward set fire to the area/tower and part of the bridge caught fire.

Hereward was betrayed by monks who told William about a secret route to Hereward.

The rebels surrendered and Hereward disappeared.

William hardly faced any rebellion for the rest of his reign.