Regents, The Power Of The Earla And The Role Of Sherifs Flashcards
Where did William spend most of his time and why+ give stats (important for looking at regents)
Most of his time was spent in Normandy
He was still Duke of Normandy and still wanted to defend it
- when the dangers of rebellion subsided in 1072 he spent most of his time in Normandy protecting it
- 80% of his time was spent there until his death in 1087
So who was in control of England whilst William was in Normandy and why ?
His most trusted supporters appointed as regent
- same powers that William had
- depending on the occasion either his half brother Odo Bishop of Bayeux or his friend William FitzOsbern
- other where earl of Chester and Lanfranc
What did the system of appointing a Regent show ?
- William chose Regents wisely
- he had managed to build up a strong and effective system of government
Who did WILLIAM give the title of earl to ?
His supporters especially the great Norman Lords
- gave them title of earl
- gave them large quantities of land
- around ten of them he’s 1/4 of English land
What was William careful to do when giving power to his earls ?
- he doesn’t give them too much power
- he didn’t want them to pose as potential threats or worse rivals for his power
- so the new earldoms were smaller and less wealthy than the previously massive Anglo Saxon earldoms
Give two features of a shire reeve?
- an appointed kings chief official in each county
- king sent him instruction in Eritrean document called ‘writs’
What did the term shire reeve develop into ?
Sherif
What where the sheriffs expected to do and why ?
Why: make sure the royal demesne were run effectively
What
- follow instruction received in writs
- collect taxes and fines due to the king
- carry out justice in the kings courts, punishing criminals
- raise soldiers for the royal army whenever they were needed
Who did William use as sheriffs and why ?
Englishmen
He didn’t want to alienate the English and possibly push them to rebellion
How did William oppoint as sheriffs post 1067-71 ?
Let’s just say bro wasn’t very happy with the English after the rebellions
He decided to appoint Normans as sheriffs instead
Who did William also appoint with more land and why ?
Gave more powerful individuals land
This increased power tied with the Norman’s replacing English sheriffs acted as anything show of Norman control over England
