Exam Study Notes

Norman Conquest and Its Impact

Background to the Norman Conquest

• In January 1066, King Edward the Confessor died without naming an heir, leading to a succession crisis.

• Harold Godwinson quickly seized the throne, but his claim was contested by:

  • King Harald Hardrada of Norway.

  • Duke William of Normandy.

• Harold Godwinson defeated Harald Hardrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in September 1066.

• Harold Godwinson was defeated by William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066.

• William of Normandy became known as William the Conqueror and ruled England from 1066 to 1087.

Impact of Norman Rule

• Land Ownership: Most of England's land was taken over by Norman Earls who pledged loyalty to King William through an oath.

• Power Dynamic: Norman Earls became very rich and powerful, but William remained the most powerful figure.

• Castles: The Normans constructed motte and bailey castles to exert control over the countryside.

• Monasteries: The number of monasteries increased due to the Normans' religious devotion.

Changes to England

• Language: French was spoken by Barons and Earls, while Latin was used in government.

• Castles: New motte and bailey castles were built to maintain control.

• Land Ownership: Nearly all land was owned by the Normans.

• Architecture: Many cathedrals were rebuilt, and new monasteries were established.

• Royal Power: William consolidated power and became a very powerful king.

Continuities After the Norman Conquest

• Travel: People continued to travel on foot or by horse and cart.

• Housing and Clothing: Housing and clothing remained the same for the majority (99%) of the population, with people living in wooden huts and wearing basic clothes.

• Farming: Farming methods remained largely unchanged.

• Healthcare: Medicine and healthcare practices stayed the same, with cures primarily derived from herbs.

Key Terms

• Heir: The next person in line to inherit the throne.

• Monarch: A king or queen in charge of a country.

• Oath: A promise of loyalty.

• Baron / Earl: An important Norman Lord.

• Monk: A man who dedicated his life to God.

• Monastery: A place where monks lived, worked, and prayed.

• Peasant: A poor farm worker; 99% of the population were peasants.

• Harrying: To burn or destroy.

• Castle: A building used to defend an area.

Marc Morris's Interpretation

• Morris agrees with historians who view the Norman Conquest as the single most important event in English history.

• While some things remained unchanged (villages, arts, economy), other areas experienced dramatic change.

• The Normans introduced new:

  • Cathedral building styles.

  • Castles.

  • Military techniques.

  • Ruling class.

  • Language of government (Latin).

  • Attitudes.

• The Conquest fundamentally altered what it meant to be English.

The Crusades

Key Topics

1. The Council of Clermont unified Christendom under one purpose.

2. The First Crusade's success can be described as a miracle.

3. The Crusader States were a model for other Kingdoms to replicate.

4. Saladin was the greatest enemy the crusaders ever faced.

5. The Fourth Crusade was a disaster from start to finish.

6. The legacy of the crusades is entirely negative.

Key Words/Phrases

• Council: An organized meeting of important people.

• Christendom: The collective group of Christian countries, mostly in Europe.

• The Holy Land: The territory surrounding Jerusalem that holds religious importance to Christians, Muslims, and Jewish peoples.

• Seljuk Empire: A Muslim Empire that controlled central and eastern Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).

• Crusade: A military expedition organized by Europeans to the Holy Land.

• Massacre: An indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of people.

• Anti-Semitism: Hostility or prejudice towards Jewish people.

• Pilgrimage: A religious journey.

• Four Crusader States:

  • Kingdom of Jerusalem

  • County of Edessa

  • Principality of Antioch

  • County of Tripoli

• Tithe: A tax taken in support of the church, usually 1/10th of your income.

• "Take up the Cross": Swearing an oath to go on Crusade and restore the Holy Lands to Christianity.

• Saracen: A term used by crusaders to describe their Muslim enemies.

• Doge: The title given to the leader of the Republic of Venice.

• Republic: A government which is governed by the people, not a monarch.

• Sack: To destroy something, stealing its wealth and devastating it.

• Excommunication: Exclusion from the Catholic faith.

• Partition: The act of dividing up conquered lands between the victors.

• Taxation System: How a government gets money from the public.

• Mamluk Sultanate: The ruling Islamic dynasty that ruled Egypt.

Key Events/Dates

• The Battle of Manzikert (1071)

• The Council of Piacenza (March 1095)

• The Council of Clermont (November 1095)

• Siege of Nicaea (May-June 1097)

• Siege of Antioch (October 1097-June 1098)

• Siege of Jerusalem (June-July 1099)

• Death of Baldwin IV (March 16, 1185)

• Death of Baldwin V (August 1186)

• Coronation of Sybilla and Guy (September 1186)

• Battle of Hattin (1187)

• Battle of Iconium (May 1190)

• Siege of Acre (1189-91)

• Battle of Arsuf (September 1191)

• Battle of Jaffa (August 1192)

• Treaty of Jaffa (September 1192)

• Siege of Zara (1202)

• Sack of Constantinople (1204)

• Lord Edward's Crusade (1271-2)

• The Fall of Acre (1291)

Key People

• Alexios I Komnenos

• Pope Urban II

• Peter the Hermit

• Godfrey of Bouillon

• Robert II of Flanders

• Tancred, Prince of Galilee

• King Baldwin IV

• Count Raymond II of Tripoli

• Sybilla

• Guy of Lusignan

• Raynald of Chatillon

• Pope Gregory VIII

• Saladin

• Richard the Lionheart

• Emperor Frederick Barbarossa

• Pope Innocent III

• Doge Enrico Dandolo

• Alexios IV Angelos

• Simon de Montfort

• Baldwin of Flanders

• Lord Edward (Longshanks)

Case Study: India

Key Terms

• Colonies: Countries ruled over by another country

• Protectorate: A country or area under the control of another country

• The Mughals: The house of Timur became known as the Mughals. The name was used from the 16th Century onwards.

• Dynasty: A family who rules one after another (e.g., Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth are the Tudor Dynasty).

• East India Company: Company created to trade with the Mughals and then seized control of large parts of India.

• Loot: Originally a Hindi word. Private property taken by an enemy during war.

• Princely States: Indian Kings who ruled their states in partnership with the British Empire.

• Empress of India: Title used for British Monarchs, referring to their role in India from 1858-1947.

• Viceroy: Top British official in India.

• Sepoys: Indian soldiers in the British army.

• Indian National Congress: A political organization formed by Indians. Initially talked about working with Britain to improve India but eventually wanted independence.

• Amritsar Massacre: In 1919, British forces opened fire on peaceful protestors, leading to the deaths of over 400 people.

• Satyagraha: Gandhi's belief in non-violent resistance and civil disobedience as a means of achieving independence.

• Salt March: A non-violent protest led by Gandhi against the British salt monopoly. Led the people on a 240 mile walk to make their own salt.

Mahatma Gandhi's Role

• Gandhi played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence

• He led non-violent protests and advocated for civil disobedience against British colonial rule.

• His leadership unified diverse groups, fostering a sense of national identity.

• Gandhi's principles of non-violence, self-reliance, and social equality laid the foundation for India's post-independence social and political landscape.

Key Dates

• 1526: Babur founds the Mughal Empire.

• 1556: Akbar the Great begins his reign.

• 1605: Jahangir becomes emperor.

• 1628: Shah Jahan comes to power.

• 1659: Aurangzeb seizes the throne.

• 1675: Sikhs rise against Mughal rule.

• 1707: Start of Mughal decline.

• 1857: Last emperor.

• 1857: Indian Rebellion.