Impact of Norman Conquest on English people 1066-87

Question 1

What happened to English nobles?

Answer 1

-They lost their land to William’s men. By 1086, only 4 of 180 tenants-in-chief were English.

Question 2

What happened to nobles who stayed?

Answer 2

• They had to rent land back or migrate to Scotland, Ireland, or Scandinavia.

Question 3

How did landownership change governance?

Answer 3

-Saxon land was passed to the eldest son; Norman lords built powerbases.

Question 4

What was the negative effect on ordinary people?

Answer 4

-The Harrying of the North caused famine and death (Yorkshire lost 25% population).

Fewer free peasants

30% more income demanded by Norman lords

Loss of freedom (forced castle building, forest law, river access)

Question 5

What happened to slavery?

Answer 5

• Slavery declined after 1066 and almost ended by 1087.

Question 6

What happened to towns under Norman rule?

Answer 6

Some towns grew, but many were attacked

Traders had to pay higher rents

Castles were built in towns

Towns like Norwich and Oxford were affected

Question 7

What was the impact on trade?

Answer 7

-Markets were taxed heavily

Traders paid to use roads, rivers, and mills

Earning a living became harder