Normandy before 1066

• most of the land was ruled by dukes on the kings behalf

  • they were given land in return called a fief

  • this was called the feudal system

• the main difference to England was that while thegns and earls gathered armies they were overall the king’s army whereas French dukes and counts had their own armies

• Normandy was one of the strongest and most stable fiefs

how did the Normans remain powerful

• dukes and counts had private armies to call on at any time

• cavalry was invented

• knights became part of the feudal system and built castles → gave the king more control but the nights could also be a threat

Normandy was ahead with church reforms and religious art and music

• the monks and nuns were praised for their devotion

• the churches were usually built from stone with elegant arches

Normandy was stable and wealthy until the eleventh century

• in 1035 the duke of Normandy died

• William, his son, was eight, he was too young to rule

• Norman knights grabbed whatever land and power they could

• the lords ruling in William’s place were killed

• in 1047 there was a revolt. william took charge and regained control with the help of the king

• William then married Matilda of Flanders (a powerful neighbouring country)