1.1 - 1.2 Flashcards
(37 cards)
Rise of Wessex
Anglo - Saxon first invaded AD430
From Germany, Denmark, Netherlands
Aethelred
- good trade links, minted coins prosperous economy, church flourished
Made bad decisions, 1002 ordered all Danes to be killed once people refused the Viking for 11 yrs revenge raid. £22,000 on Witan until in 1013 Viking Sweyn Forkbeard led full scale invasion
Witan
Existed in Anglo Saxon England
-relatives to king
-Nobles
-Churchmen/bishop
Cnut?
-Cnut took power after Aethelred in 1016, killed his leading supporters.
Harold Godwinson became most powerful Earl after declaring loyalty to
Divided England into Earldoms
-1035-1042 Witan didn’t know who successor should be
Edward the confessor
Came to power 1042, Known for shire reeves ( sheriff’s who collect taxes )
Why did Edward and Godwin not like each other
-Godwin ordered murder of Edward brother.
-Edward elected his Normandy friends to power as he grew up there
In 1051, Godwin raised troops, Edward got Mercian’s Northumberland.
Godwin fled to exile but in 1052 Godwin came back with large fleet. Edward backed down Godwin strongest at time
When did Godwin die
In 1053. Harold Godwinson took over Wessex ( his son ), other son Tostig became Earl of Northumbria in 1055. Godwin family were most powerful/ influential and nobles favoured them after defeating Welsh Gruffydd in 1063
When does Harold Godwinson obtain power
In 1066, after Edward had no heir and a was favoured by Witan
1065, exiles own brother
William or Normandy
-Claims for throne, claims Edward promised It to him for his loyalty in 1051
-Harold Godwinson pledged loyalty in 1064 but argued it was forced
-had Pope’s support but not Witan
War in south/North
-Willaim had army in August 1066, Harold prepared
-In North Viking fleet from Norway attacked led by Harald Hardrada, supported by Tostig
-Viking beat one army but defeated at Stamford bridge in 25 sept 1066
-William arrived to South pier, 14 October 1066 battle of Hastings. Harold killed
Why Normans successful
-Tactically flexible, pretended to retreat ( turning point )
-William was close with advisors unlike Harold
-Harold army was fatigued after battle of Stamford bridge
-Stayed close to coast receiving french supply’s
Difference between Anglo-Saxon and Norman forces
Anglo-Saxon:
- housecarls = pro soldiers, Thegns on foot
- Ford = ordinary untrained men
Norman:
- Knights = nobles fought on horse, skilled
- archers = skilled specialists with bows/arrows
How did Normans take over England
Military efficiency:
-killed scores of each rebellion
- William introduced Chivalry, Nobles who surrendered to him were not punishment
Castle’s:
-originated castle’s it protects area/repel army/repel army
- first 30yrs, 500 castle made, reminded who in charge
Land:
- William rewarded loyal supporters
- took land from thegns and gave to Norman Barons
- Feudalism , land divided to loyal followers
Law:
- used writers to emphasize legality
Church:
- replaced Anglo-Saxon bishops/abbots with Normans
By 1070 20% of bishops English
Rebuilt church like Norman ones
England changed by Norman conquest
-1086 Norman made Domesday book, first English Census ( survey )
-take thousands of peasants and land owners testimony
- removed English nobles class. 4000 thegns replaced by 200 barons
Importance of church, 1000’s
Church n media:
- help spread news
- New laws/taxes announced
- king gave money/land fir chroniclers ( church praised king )
Church land/employment :
- 1087 shows church owned 25% of land
-bishops/abbots controlled large abbey’s
-large chuck of ppl worked as labourers on land
- Masons worked on church construction
- cared for poor/sick
Help ppl go to Heaven :
- everyone believed In god
-
Church power behind throne
When William was gone Archbishop of Canterbury ruled country
1162 Henry II appointed Thomas Becket ( his chancellor and chief administrator as Archbishop of Cantenbury
Clear church was powerful
1154
Henry II inherits kingdom, swiftly restores peace, originally chaotic
Why Henry II and Thomas Becket fall out
1160’s Henry wanted to increase power over church.
1162 -Archbishop of Cantenbury died ( theobald ), Henry wanted to appoint Becket as Archbishop but Becket was more loyal to church didn’t want him to appoint bishops/abbots. Becket fled to France
1170 Becket action
Excommunicated bishops that supported Henry’s feud
Henry shouted “ will no one rid me of this turbulent priest “, causing 4 knights to kill Becket in Cantenbury Cathedral. Sliced head iff
Henry punishment
Gave up rights over church
Accepted Becket’s excommunication of bishops
Walked barefoot to Cantenbury while whipped
King John
Came to power 1199, didn’t grasp importance of good relationship with barons. Inherited from Richard due him always being at war
Why barons fall out with John
In 1204, Normans invaded Normandy. King John for 10 yrs mainly via taxes raised £1.3million ( £30b rn)
Barons felt unnecessary as very few had lad in France
-imprisoned Matilda Da Broase, demanded £25,000. Once she didn’t pay he starved her and her son to death in 1213
-punished anyone that went against him and consulted no one for important decisions
John’s clash with church
-In 1205, pope chose Langton to be the archbishop of Cantenbury over Johns friend ( John de gray )
-john refused to accept Langton, excommunicated from the church
Manga Carta signing
-1215 barons were angry and in April barons took up arms against him. London and Exeter fell to them. Barons signed John to sign Royal carta. John overturned Magna Carta (died 1216) but Henry III signed it in 1225
