⌛️Anglo-Norman England, 1066-1106 Flashcards
Explain the economic system
Maintaining the royal household lifestyle was expensive. Income was generated by national taxes, trade etc. New designs of the coins were made every 3 years
What system did William import into England?
The feudal system
What was the feudal system?
It was an Norman system that geared society towards war. William claimed ownership over the entirety of England. He granted lands to loyal supporters in exchange for military service from knights who in return handed them to their followers - subinfeudation
Why did William create the Domesday survey?
Many lords had no formal titles to their state, and there was some chaos of ownership. The Domesday survey attempted to address the problem of a significant portion of land being illegally taken by force and intimidation
Why did William arrest his half brother Bishop Odo?
He got tired of his limitless ambitions. And in 1082 ordered for his arrest. Bishop Odo was released only after Williams death
How did town and village life change after the Norman conquest?
The urban communities of Anglo-Saxon England suffered. The population of York was reduced by half and other towns bore the physical scars of fighting, some towns were also partly destroyed to make way for new castles
What did the Doomsday survey show about society 20 years after the conquest?
Urban society was once again is thriving, it was encourage by Normans, who realised that towns were a valuable source of wealth
Despite the destruction to build, what did castles promote?
They provided a secure environment for trade, goods and services and promoted urban growth
Explain village life after Norman conquest
The impact was terrible, they will experience plunder, brutality and murder. Even in areas less seriously affected by fighting, life became more difficult. The Normans demanded higher rents and force the peasants to work harder
What didn’t the Normans change?
The basic structure of agriculture - the nucleated village was still in system
Why were the Royal Forests disliked by so many?
Despite hunting for a long time being a source of pleasure for Anglo-Saxon kings. William created a legacy that meant the land was to be made habitable for wild beasts for hunting rather than for agriculture. In the process of creating extra land, 20 villages were destroyed and many people were bitter about the Royal Forest especially when there were restrictions placed on farming and gathering wood in order to keep the environment suitable
Explain the disappearance of slavery
Normans found it more profitable to exploit paying tenants rather than slaves who were costly to maintain. Religious leaders where practically unhappy. When the Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1070, he urged William to take a stand on the export of slaves
Why did William want to dominate English Churches?
William was a man of faith, and wanted to tightly control England’s churches as he did to Normandy. He saw the English churches as a major source of power and influence
How did William secure English churches?
He installed loyal supporters from Normandy and France. Thomas of Bayuex became a Chaplain to Bishop Odo, William established himself as archbishop of York and Lanfranc became Archbishop of Canterbury - after this only 3 English born bishops remained
Who did William leave alone and why?
English priests, monks and nuns as their were not figures of importance or posing military danger
