History - Anglo-saxons and Normans Flashcards
(36 cards)
when was the battle of stamford bridge
25 September 1066
what was the feudal system
The feudal system is the name given to the system of land-owning in England, which indicated the social and economic hierarchy.
what were the different types of peasants
Villeins - did boon work on lord’s land for no pay. They had no freedom - could not leave the village without permission. Held a small amount of land
Bordars and cottars - poorer villeins, had even less land.
Slaves - around 10% of population. The number of slaves declined during Norman rule, as they were expensive to keep, and the Church disapproved.
whats the order of the feudal system
Top to bottom
King
Earls
Thegns
ceorls/ freemen
peasants
slaves
when was the battle of Hastings
14 October 1066
what were their tactics to winning the battle of hastings
Harold formed a SHEILD WALL on the high ground of Senlac Hill - it was strong
(Marshland on either side meant that the Normans had to attack head-on.) William used his archers to try to weaken the shield wall but could not break the shield wall.
fake retreat: When some of William’s army retreated, some Saxons left the shield wall to give chase. William used his cavalry to surround them and slaughter them.
worked at least three times (seriously weakening the shield wall)
who were the 4 claimants to the throne after Edward the Confessor died
Edgar Atheling
Harold Godwinson
Harald Hardrada
William of Normandy
what did Edward the Confessor not have
children
why was Edward the Confessor not having any children a bad thing
the succession crisis
unclear new king
no claimant to the throne
type of castle
motte and bailey
what was a bad thing about motte and bailey castles
catch fire
as motte and bailey castles caught fire what did William do
Rebuilt castles in stone
(built by saxons in slave labour)
battle of Hastings
14 October 1066
what advantages did William and his Norman army have
7000 men
well rested
consisted of knights on horseback, archers and infancy
battle of Hastings
14 October 1066
why was Harold Godwinsons anglo-saxons army worse off
already fought in the north so were tired and wounded
no horsemen or archers
claimants for the throne:
Harold Godwinson (a powerful and wealthy earl)
Direct bloodline: No
chosen by previous king: claimed Edward chose him on his deathbed
chosen by witan: accepted
claimants for the throne:
Edgar Atheling
Direct bloodline: Yes (Edwards great nephew)
chosen by previous king: no
chosen by witan: rejected
claimants for the throne:
Harald Hardrada
Direct bloodline: no
chosen by previous king: no
chosen by witan: ignored
claimants for the throne:
William of Normandy/ William the Conqueror
Direct bloodline: indirect relationship via great aunt
chosen by previous king: family had close links to Edward and claimed Edward promised him the throne in 1051
chosen by witan: ignored
what was werguild?
price paid for death
if someone was killed in Anglo-saxon england, the person responsible had to pay the persons werguild.
reasons for English rebellion against the normans
Disrespect (Norman lords did not understand local customs)
revenge (losing people at Hastings)
distance
taxation (william demanded high rates of tax which caused poverty)
pride (hated having foreigners ruling them)
loss of land and status
how did the population change after the Harrying of the North
the population of Yorkshire in 1086 was 25% of the 1066 population
who was the king of england on January 5 1066?
Edward the confessor
who was the king of England on January the 6th 1066
Harold Godwinson
who was the closest blood claim to the throne in 1066
Edgar atheling
