Anglo-Saxon society

Part 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060-66 (Edexcel)

EXTRA KEY INFORMATION

1. Relationship with son Robert:

Strained, led to conflicts.

2. William Rufus and Robert:

Contested the throne.

3. Godwin Family

Important in the Conquest.

4. Changes in landownership:

Redistribution of land.

5. Lanfranc:

Reforms, new monasteries.

6. The forest:

Royal hunting areas.

7. The Domesday Book:

Survey of Land ownership.

8. Bishop Odo: Important figure in Bayeux.
Monarchy, government, earldoms and the legal system

1. Population:

   • Approximately 2,000,000 people who mostly farmed land.

   King:

   • Edward the Confessor (1042-1066)

   • Every boy swore an oath to him at the age of 12.

   Monarch's Role:

   • Established laws, controlled taxation, land ownership, and the military.

   Government:

   • Well-organized under the Witan, a council of advisers to the King.

   Witan:

   • Comprised of important people such as earls and archbishops.

   Witan's Role:

   • Settled disputes, discussed how to quash threats, and played a role in choosing a new King.

2. The Witan and the coronation of Harold Godwinson
   
   What was the role of the Witan in the coronation of Harold Godwinson in 1066?
   
   - The Witan did not choose Edgar Aetheling to succeed Edward the Confessor because he was too young and inexperienced.
   
   - The Witan wanted a strong and experienced leader to protect England from possible attacks.

   Why did the Witan choose Harold Godwinson as the new King instead of Edgar Aetheling?

   - Harold Godwinson, the son of Earl Godwin of Wessex, was chosen as the new King due to his family ties, experience, and the trust of Edward.

   - Harold Godwinson was crowned on the same day as Edward's burial, January 6, 1066.

   Monarchy, government, earldoms and the legal system

   Population and Farming:

   • Anglo-Saxon England had a population of approximately 2,000,000 people.

   • The majority of the population in Anglo-Saxon England were engaged in farming.

   Edward the Confessor:

   • Edward the Confessor was the King of England from 1042 to 1066.

   • He required every boy to swear an oath to him at the age of 12.

   Government and Monarchy:

   • The monarch in Anglo-Saxon England established laws and controlled taxation, land ownership, and the military.

   • The Anglo-Saxon government had a well-organized council called the Witan, which advised the King and included important individuals like earls and archbishops.

   Earldoms and Shires:

   • England was divided into earldoms, each governed by an earl.

   • Each earldom was further divided into shires, overseen by a shire reeve who maintained law and order, collected taxes, and ensured peace.

   Hundreds and Tithings:

   • Each shire in Anglo-Saxon England was divided into hundreds.

   • Each hundred was further divided into tithings, which were groups of 10 households.

   Power of Earls:

   • Earls in Anglo-Saxon England held significant power, including tax collection and military authority.

   • They were responsible for justice in their earldom and had a group of highly trained bodyguard soldiers called housecarls.

   Legal System:

   • The legal system in Anglo-Saxon England was based on collective responsibility.

   • The Wergild system, which involved compensating the victim's family instead of seeking revenge, was also used with different values assigned to different social classes.

The economy, social system, towns and villages and the influence of the Church

1. Economy: The Anglo-Saxon economy was based on growing crops and trading goods like cloth and wool. They also imported silver from Germany for coins.

2. Social Hierarchy: The King held the highest position in Anglo-Saxon society, followed by the aristocracy of earls. Thegns were local lords, peasants included ceorls, and slaves were at the bottom.

3. Cities and Towns: London and York were the largest English cities. Important towns included Lincoln and Norwich. Each shire had a fortified main town called a burh, connected by roads.

4. Housing: Villages consisted of scattered houses, with peasant huts made of wood and straw. Thegns had bigger and better-built houses.

5. Role of the Church: The Church played a significant role in everyday life. England was a deeply religious Christian country. Bishops controlled large areas, while abbots and abbesses ran monasteries and nunneries.

   Flashcards on Harold Godwinson's Succession as Earl of Wessex and the Power of the Godwins

   1. Who made Earl Godwin the Earl of Wessex?

      • Danish King Cnut the Great in 1018.

   2. How did Godwin help Edward the Confessor become King?

      • Godwin helped Edward the Confessor become King in 1042.

   3. Who did Edward the Confessor marry?

      • Edward married Godwin's daughter, Edith of Wessex, in 1045.

   4. How did the House of Godwin's power base grow during Edward's reign?

      • The House of Godwin's power base grew due to the political marriage and their extensive land holdings, which made them almost as rich as the King.

   5. When did Harold Godwinson succeed his father as the Earl of Wessex?

      • Harold Godwinson succeeded his father as the Earl of Wessex in 1053.

   6. What made the Godwins powerful war leaders?

      • The Godwins were powerful war leaders due to their status as lords to many hundreds of thegns.

   7. How did the Godwins influence the appointment of bishops?

      • The Godwins convinced Edward to appoint bishops who were loyal to them.

      • Summary notes on Harold Godwinson's Embassy to Normandy

        • Harold Godwinson went on an embassy to Normandy for King Edward in 1064.

        • Count Guy of Ponthieu imprisoned Harold when he landed in Ponthieu.

        • William of Normandy rescued Harold and he made an oath to William.

        • Harold spent time in Normandy helping William with two military campaigns.

        The Rising Against Tostig and His Exile

        • In 1065, there was an uprising against Harold Godwinson's brother, Tostig Godwinson, the Earl of Northumbria.

        • The uprising was led by Northumbrian thegns due to Tostig's abuse of power, including killing rivals, heavy taxation, and failure to defend Northumbria from attacks.

        • King Edward ordered an army to suppress the uprising, but the earls did not listen, and Edward had to accept the rebels' demands.

        • Tostig was exiled by November 1065.

        The Death of Edward the Confessor

        • Edward the Confessor died on January 5, 1066, as an old and frail man.

        • Since he had no children, there were multiple claimants to the throne, each asserting that Edward had promised them kingship.

          The motives and claims to the throne

        • Harold Godwinson had a strong claim to the throne based on his family ties and a promise from Edward. He also had political power and support from the Witan council.

        • William, a cousin of Edward, claimed that Edward had promised him the throne before becoming King of England while he was exiled in Normandy under William's protection. Additionally, William asserted that Harold Godwinson had promised him the throne in 1064.

        • Harald Hardrada was a Viking warrior who believed he could claim England based on a promise made by a previous Danish King of England, Harthacnut, to his predecessor, Magnus I.

        • Edgar had strong familial connections to the English throne as the great-nephew of Edward and the last surviving Anglo-Saxon prince. Being the sole remaining member of the Royal House of Wessex, which had governed England for many years, solidified his claim to the throne.

        • Question: Can you provide flashcards on the topic "The Witan and the coronation of Harold Godwinson"?

          Answer:

          Front of Flashcard:

          • Question: Who did the Witan not choose to succeed Edward the Confessor in 1066?

          • Answer: Edgar Aetheling

          Back of Flashcard:

          • Question: Why was Edgar Aetheling not chosen?

          • Answer: He was too young and lacked experience.

          Front of Flashcard:

          • Question: Who did the Witan choose to be the King instead?

          • Answer: Harold Godwinson

          Back of Flashcard:

          • Question: Why was Harold Godwinson chosen?

          • Answer: He had legitimate family ties, military and political experience, and was trusted by Edward.

          Front of Flashcard:

          • Question: When was Harold Godwinson crowned?

          • Answer: 6th of January 1066, the same day as Edward's burial.

      • The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge

      • The Battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge were decisive victories for Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson's forces in the North of England. The Battle of Fulford was won by Godwinson due to superior tactics and numbers.

      • On the 25th, Godwinson's army defeated Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson's Norwegian forces at Stamford Bridge. Godwinson's army was exhausted after William of Normandy arrived at Pevensey Bay, leaving him behind.

      • The Battle of Hastings

        • On October 14, 1066, Harold Godwinson used a surprise attack on the Norman army, but the Normans warned William the Conqueror. The English attempted to force them back with a shield wall, but a fake treat led to the Normans attacking the Anglo-Saxons. Godwinson was killed by an arrow, and his army lost discipline, leading to their massacre.

        • Reasons for Williams victory

        • William's victory at the Battle of Hastings was due to his superior tactics, luck, and leadership skills. He successfully broke the Anglo-Saxon shield wall with a fake retreat, and boosted morale by addressing rumors of his death. After the victory, William attacked villages and attempted to take over Winchester to control the royal treasury, causing the Anglo-Saxon earls to lose support.

        • Summary of Part 1

        • The Anglo-Saxon government was led by the Witan council, with the aristocracy ranked by the King. In 1065, Tostig Godwinson seized power through the Battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge.

        • Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060-88

          Part 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066-87

        • Rewarding followers and establishing control on the borderlands through the use of Marcher earldoms
          

        • William the Conqueror, crowned King of England in 1066, set a tax to reward followers and establish control on borderlands through Marcher Earldoms. These small, compact Earldoms bordered Wales, providing additional protection for England. Unlike ordinary Earldoms, Marcher Earls did not have to pay taxes to the King, allowing them to spend on new settlements and defenses. Their size made them easier to control and less powerful than the King.

        • Reasons for the building of castles, their key features and importance

   After William's conquest in 1066, the Normans built motte and bailey castles to establish control. These quick and easy-to-build castles used local timber and features like a palisade, 'keep', and moat. Marcher Earldoms bordering Wales were granted special permission to build castles, securing their power. However, motte and bailey castles were flammable and required significant manpower, making them a significant threat to the Normans.

   The revolt of Earls Edwin and Morcar in 1068
   
   Rebellions and events during William the Conqueror's rule in England
   
   
   1. Revolt of Edwin and Morcar, 1068: They rebelled against William's decisions.
   
   2. Edgar Aetheling's uprising, 1069: Suppressed by William, Edgar escaped to Scotland.
   
   3. Hereward the Wake and Ely rebellion, 1070-71: Revolts against Normans in East Anglia.
   
   4. The Harrying of the North, 1069-1070: William's campaign to destroy the North, resulting in devastation.
   

In 1068, Anglo-Saxon Earls Edwin and Morcar rebelled against William the Conqueror, resenting the King's reduction of their earldoms, heavy geld tax, and his refusal to marry his daughter. They joined forces with Edgar Aethling, Earl Waltheof, and Gospatric, leading to their surrender. William pardoned them, and Edgar and other rebels fled to Scotland.

Hereward the Wake and rebellion at Ely, 1070-71

King Sweyn led a Dane rebellion in 1070, establishing a base on Ely. He allied with Hereward the Wake, who raided Peterborough Abbey. The Wake led further revolts against Normans in East Anglia in 1070 and 1071.

The Harrying of the North,

The Harrying of the North, 1069-1070, was a campaign by William the Conqueror to destroy the North of England, aiming to eliminate rebels and demonstrate the Normans' zero tolerance for resistance. The offensive resulted in 100,000 deaths from starvation and famine, with 60% of Yorkshire classified as waste land. William had to donate money to appease the Pope.

Changes in landownership from Anglo-Saxon to Norman, 1066-87

Between 1066 and 1087, landownership underwent significant changes as William replaced Anglo-Saxon landholders with Normans. This was due to rebellions and the lack of trust in Anglo-Saxon nobles. By 1087, less than 5% of land was held by Anglo-Saxon elites, and only two tenants-in-chief were Anglo-Saxons. William ensured land ownership and taxation for heirs

Reasons for the revolt and the defeat of the revolt

In 1075, the Earls of Hereford, East Anglia, and Northumbria conspired against William, resenting their loss of wealth and power. However, most Anglo-Saxons supported William, and Waltheof's plans were revealed to Archbishop Lanfranc. Additionally, William returned from Normandy, and Danish leaders abandoned him, leading to the revolt's failure.

Reasons for the revolt and the defeat of the revolt second points

Roger, Ralph, and Waltheof were defeated by William, who executed them in 1076. William attacked Ralph's castle in Brittany but was unsuccessful. The revolt involved Normans and Anglo-Saxons, making William wary of his own earls. The Danish threat also worried William, leading to extreme measures to strengthen England's defenses.

SUMARRY OF THIS SECTION

William the Conqueror was crowned King of England in 1066, creating three new Marcher Earldoms and establishing control through motte and bailey castles. Anglo-Saxon Earls Edwin and Morcar led a rebellion, leading to the Harrying of the North campaign. Landownership changed significantly between 1066 and 1087, and an unsuccessful revolt occurred in 1075.

Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060-88 Part 3: Norman England, 1066-88

The feudal hierarchy and nature of feudalism (i)

Feudalism was a landholding system in the Norman era, with the King at the top, followed by tenants-in-chief, knights, and peasants. The King granted land and tax concessions to these tenants-in-chief, who had to serve the king by joining the royal council and providing advice.

The feudal hierarchy and nature of feudalism (ii)

Feudalism involved labour service, where peasants provided farming services, rent, and loyalty to under-tenants. Land grants were marked by ceremonies of homage, and forfeiture was a punishment for non-compliance, ensuring the lord's interests were protected. This feudal hierarchy was crucial for maintaining loyalty and trust.

The Church in England

England's Christian Church, a powerful and wealthy institution, owned a significant portion of the kingdom and was run by the Pope. William the Conqueror, a devout Christian, supported the Pope's invasion of England. After rebellions, he replaced Anglo-Saxon Church leaders, such as Stigand, with his own men.

Changes to government after the Conquest

After the Conquest, William retained and improved the Anglo-Saxon government, following the Great Council's advice. He replaced Anglo-Saxon sheriffs with Norman sheriffs, enforced more laws, and created a centralized government. William reduced earl power and phased out some earldoms, and used regents like Lanfranc to control England and Normandy.

The demesne and the introduction of the 'forest'

The demesne, controlled by a Lord, included small clusters of peasant homes, barns, forests, lakes, a mill, and a Church. Hunting was popular among wealthy lords, but the King introduced forest laws to protect animals and banned Anglo-Saxon hunting. This law was unpopular, leading to land evictions and crop damage. The 'forest' demonstrated the King's power and increased land ownership.

The Domesday book

In December 1085, William the Conquer ordered a survey of England to address land disputes among Norman landowners. The survey included landholdings, taxes, and buildings like churches, castles, and mills. The results were documented in the Domesday Book in 1086, enabling fair taxation and preventing potential opposition.

The culture and language of the Norman aristocracy

The Norman aristocracy emphasized wealth, power, and religious beliefs through the construction of castles and cathedrals, disregarding Anglo-Saxon saints' relics. They introduced chivalry, respecting knights and being merciful towards enemies. Latin replaced English for legal and church documents, as most aristocrats could not speak or write English.

William I's relations with Robert

Bishop Odo, half-brother of William, was appointed Bishop of Bayeux in 1049 and later co-regent of England in 1067. However, he engaged in corrupt behavior, including illegal land acquisition and vandalism in Northumberland. He also opposed the King's expedition to Rome. William imprisoned Odo in 1082 and released him when he was dying in 1087.

William's death, the disputed succession and the defeat of Robert and Odo (i)

In 1087, William the Conqueror suffered internal injuries and had to decide who should inherit his territories. He proposed Robert Curthose for Normandy and William Rufus for England. After his death, God chose Rufus as the next English monarch, dividing the lands as Robert took Normandy and Rufus had to secure England against Robert's supporters.

William's death, the disputed succession and the defeat of Robert and Odo (ii)
Odo, released from prison, instigated a rebellion against William II in 1088, aiming for Robert to control England and Normandy. William II gained popularity and promised to change Norman rule, but he later refused. Archbishop Anselm encouraged William II to pay for Robert's participation in the First Crusade in 1095, resulting in the consolidation of power in Normandy.

Summary

Feudalism under the Normans involved landholding and military service, with knights oathing 40 days to the King in return for land. Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury and introduced Church reforms. William I surveyed England in 1085, writing the Domesday Book. After conquest, English was changed to Latin. William II became King in 1087.