Knowt
Norman Culture
The Feudal System
feudal system= land holding in return for service
duchies/ counties were known as ‘fiefs’
the ‘vassals’ were men who had sworn loyalty to the King of Franks and they were granted the fief in return of using their own armies to fight on the King’s behalf
it was different from England as dukes and counts had considerable independence and used their armies for the King when necessary
The strength of Normandy
Normandy was one of the strongest fiefs in France
Rollo the Walker= the first Viking leader in Normandy
AD911- Rollo became a vassal of the King of the Franks → they adopted language, forms of government and laws
William the Bastard was born in 1028
Knights
New forms of fighting
stirrups allowed the knights to be able to charge their enemies on horseback and remain in the horse will remaining stable
‘Thugs’
knights swore to serve their lord and received land in return
they used their military power to take as much tax and rent as they wanted
Castles
most castles were made of earthworks and timber
knights used castles as a home and fortress
2 main types of castles:
‘ringwork’ castle: consisted of a ‘bailey’ surrounded by a ditch and an earthwork bank with a wooden fence, entrance is fortified by a solid gatehouse
‘motte and bailey’ castle: motte within the bailey and a ‘keep’
wooden defences could be replaced by stone walls and keeps
‘Stability and strength’
knights followed different dukes who followed Rollo → Normandy was more stable than other parts of France
knights would challenge their lords if they showed any weaknesses
Christianity and the Church
Rollo converted to Christianity when he became a vassal
Normandy became famous for the beauty of its churches
Popes praised Norman monks and nuns for their teachings, devotion, art and music
e.g. abbey in Caen → Romanesque style
Normandy was settled and wealthy: firm government, efficient taxation, strong trading links
William’s first experiences
1035- William’s dad died when he was only 8 years old
senior lords had been murdered or killed in battle → William had no supervisors
1047- large-scale revolt and William took charge → good tactician and fearless soldier
useful marriage alliance- Matilda of Flanders in 1050
they built the abbey in Caen as a way to thank the Pope for allowing them to marry
Norman Culture
The Feudal System
feudal system= land holding in return for service
duchies/ counties were known as ‘fiefs’
the ‘vassals’ were men who had sworn loyalty to the King of Franks and they were granted the fief in return of using their own armies to fight on the King’s behalf
it was different from England as dukes and counts had considerable independence and used their armies for the King when necessary
The strength of Normandy
Normandy was one of the strongest fiefs in France
Rollo the Walker= the first Viking leader in Normandy
AD911- Rollo became a vassal of the King of the Franks → they adopted language, forms of government and laws
William the Bastard was born in 1028
Knights
New forms of fighting
stirrups allowed the knights to be able to charge their enemies on horseback and remain in the horse will remaining stable
‘Thugs’
knights swore to serve their lord and received land in return
they used their military power to take as much tax and rent as they wanted
Castles
most castles were made of earthworks and timber
knights used castles as a home and fortress
2 main types of castles:
‘ringwork’ castle: consisted of a ‘bailey’ surrounded by a ditch and an earthwork bank with a wooden fence, entrance is fortified by a solid gatehouse
‘motte and bailey’ castle: motte within the bailey and a ‘keep’
wooden defences could be replaced by stone walls and keeps
‘Stability and strength’
knights followed different dukes who followed Rollo → Normandy was more stable than other parts of France
knights would challenge their lords if they showed any weaknesses
Christianity and the Church
Rollo converted to Christianity when he became a vassal
Normandy became famous for the beauty of its churches
Popes praised Norman monks and nuns for their teachings, devotion, art and music
e.g. abbey in Caen → Romanesque style
Normandy was settled and wealthy: firm government, efficient taxation, strong trading links
William’s first experiences
1035- William’s dad died when he was only 8 years old
senior lords had been murdered or killed in battle → William had no supervisors
1047- large-scale revolt and William took charge → good tactician and fearless soldier
useful marriage alliance- Matilda of Flanders in 1050
they built the abbey in Caen as a way to thank the Pope for allowing them to marry
