The Norman Conquest

Who was Edward the Confessor?

King of England who died in 1066 without an heir. His death caused a succession crisis.

Who was Godwin, Earl of Wessex?

Harold's father. The most powerful noble in England.

What was the Witan?

A council of 60 powerful nobles. They advised the king and elected the successor.

Who was Harold Godwinson?

Son of Godwin. Most powerful noble. Elected king by the Witan.

Who was Tostig?

Harold's brother. He turned against him and allied with Harald Hardrada.

Who was Edgar Ætheling?

The "true heir", aged 14. He was not chosen.

What was the "Harold's Pledge"?

Harold's sacred oath to William. William claimed Harold recognized his right to the throne.

Where is the "Harold's Pledge" depicted?

On the Bayeux Tapestry.

Who was Harald Hardrada?

King of Norway. He claimed the English throne.

What was Hardrada's succession?

Canute (1016) → Hardicanute (1042) → Magnus → Hardrada.

Who was Canute?

Viking king of England, Denmark, and Norway (1016-1035).

Who was Hardicanute?

Canute's son. Ruled until 1042. Promised the throne to Magnus of Norway.

Who was Magnus?

King of Norway. Hardrada's uncle and heir.

Who was Rollo?

Viking chief who settled in Normandy in 911.

Who was Charles the Simple?

King of France who gave Normandy to the Vikings as a buffer state.

Who was William the Bastard?

Illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy. Future William the Conqueror.

What was William's claim?

1) Blood relationship with Edward.

2) Edward announced in 1051 a Norman would succeed him.

3) Harold swore a sacred oath.

What did William do after Harold broke the oath?

He received religious and political support from Rome. The Pope excommunicated Harold.

What were the 3 invasions of 1066?

1) Tostig

2) Harald Hardrada + Tostig

3) William.

20 Where did Tostig invade?

In the South. He failed. He fled to Scotland and allied with Hardrada

What was the Battle of Fulford?

Harald Hardrada and Tostig defeated the northern earls.

When was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

25 September 1066.

At the Battle of Stamford Bridge, how many miles did Harold Godwinson march from London to the North?

210 miles in 5 days (from London to the North).

At the Battle of Stamford Bridge (25 Sept 1066), how many Viking longships arrived from Trondheim?

300 arrived.

At the Battle of Stamford Bridge, how many Viking longships departed after the defeat?

Only 24 longships departed.

Who died at Stamford Bridge?

Harald Hardrada and Tostig.

What was the consequence of Stamford Bridge?

End of Viking influence over Europe.

When was the Battle of Hastings?

14 October 1066.

At the Battle of Hastings, how many Saxons and Normans fought?

Approximately 5,000 Saxons vs. 15,000 Normans.

At the Battle of Hastings (14 Oct 1066), how many Norman ships crossed the Channel? (The English Channel = La Manche = le bras de mer qui sépare le sud de l’Angleterre du nord de la France)

700 ships.

At the battle of Hastings, who died ?

King Harold.

Who won at Hastings?

The Normans.

What are the 3 consequences?

Architecture, Law, Language.

What was the Harrying of the North?

A campaign of violence and destruction in the North (1069-1070).

What was the Domesday Book?

A survey of England and Wales, ordered by William in 1086.

What was the Domesday Book used for?

To know who owned what, how much it was worth, and how much tax to collect.

What was the language before 1066?

Old English (Germanic).

What was the language after 1066?

French (Norman French) for court, Church, administration. Latin for government.

What happened to English?

It was downgraded.

Examples of French legal vocabulary?

agreement, burglary, court, debt, evidence, justice, police, fine, gaols, prison, constable, arrest.

After the Norman Conquest (1066), why do English meat words come from French while animal words come from Old English? Give the pairs.

Because the Norman elite (French speakers) ate the meat, while the Anglo-Saxon peasants (English speakers) raised the animals. Pairs: beef → ox; mutton → sheep; pork → pig; poultry → chicken; venison → deer.

At the Battle of Stamford Bridge, who fought against each other?

Harold Godwinson (Saxons) vs. Harald Hardrada + Tostig (Vikings).

At the Battle of Hastings, who fought against each other?

Harold Godwinson (Saxons) vs. William of Normandy (Normans).