Power - the Norman conquest, and its impact

Question 1

Edward the Confessor

Answer 1

• Invested lots of money in the church
• created the role of the sheriff
• introduced new laws
• introduced ‘writ’ - new document fo tell laws
• died with out on heir

Question 2

Godwins

Answer 2

• earl Godwin was the Wessex under Cnut
• married Cnut’s sister
• His men killed, Alfred (athelred’s son)
• Rose to rebellion because of too much Norman influence under Edward he did, however, gain power, because he was loyal to Edward
• outnumbered in 1051
• in 1052, he came back with the navy and the support of London, and removed Norman influence
• became ruler of England
• died - Harold Godwinson, his son took Wessex and tostig, his other son took Northumbria.
• Witan chose Harold as heir to the throne

Question 3

What were the four choices for King?

Answer 3

Edgar, the Atheling, who was the nephew of the king
Harold Godwinson
Harald Hardrada
William Duke of Normandy

Question 4

1066 year of turmoil

Answer 4

• Edward has no heir
• Witan crowned Harold Godwinson
• William said that Edward promised him the throne in 1051
• Another claimant was Harald Hardrada, who attacked the north of England and Godwinson marched north, and defeated Harold at the battle of Stamford Bridge
• William went south so Harold did too, met with armies at the battle of Hastings, Harold was defeated, so the Anglo-Saxons were gone

Question 5

William of Normandy

Answer 5

• Built, 500+ castles in Norman style
• Introduced feudal system - barons, knights and villeins
• Replaced Saxon sheriffs with Normans
• Norman Bishops put in place
• English saints placed with Norman saints
• by 1086 - only 4 major saxon lords survived
• 4000 thegns lost their lands, 200 barons controlled them
• Norman churches replaced Saxon churches
• abolished slavery
• Domebook, which was a document of English wealth and possessions
• Crowned on Christmas Day in Westminster
• Legal successor of Edward the Confessor

Question 6

Harrying of the north

Answer 6

-1069-70
- Northumbria
- Houses, food and livestock destroyed
- 100,000+ murdered
- William was retaliating against rebels