SECTION 2 Flashcards
How did William use land to ensure loyalty?
When people agreed to support the King, in return they received land.
How did William develop the feudal system to his advantage? (3)
1) Normans replaced Anglo Saxons.2) The King had far more power.3) The peasants were more exploited.
How was the Norman feudal system different to the Anglo Saxon system?
It was more formal for example the Anglo Saxon kings raised armies from their tenant when they were needed but arrangements became more formal with knights guaranteeing a certain number of days service.
Land holding was much more concentrated. Give an example.
In Anglo Saxon England about 4000 English thegns held land. By 1086 only 4 English thegns still held any.
How did William learn from Edward the Confessor’s mistakes?
Edward had granted very large areas of land to his earls and they had got too powerful. William did not let any one person have too much land.
How did William use his soldiers and marcher lords to control England? Refer to the feudal system.
In return for land, each tenant in chief (barons and bishops) offered loyalty and provided a certain number of knights. This was seen as a religious duty for knights.
Why couldn’t William conquer Wales?
Because Wales was separated into 5 kingdoms each ruled by a warrior prince.
Did William try conquering Wales?
Yes - on several occasions but he failed. The princes may not have swore loyalty to William in exchange for his protection but they were not very co operative and the border between England and Wales was constantly under threat.
How did William protect himself from Wales? Refer to Marcher Lords.
Where he feared invasion or rebellion, he granted larger areas of land to his most trusted followers such as Earls of Hereford & Chester. These barons were known as the ‘Marcher Lords’ and they managed to protect it and were independent rulers in their areas.
How did William use patronage?
He would grant land but also grant offices such as sheriffdoms to encourage loyalty.
How did William use his role as king to better himself? (3)
He was the only one who could make laws for the whole kingdom.He alone could raise taxes on a national level.Certain more legal cases ‘royal pleas’ were only heard by the king or in the king’s courts.
Why did William use the coronation ceremony?
To remind people how important he is he did this and to show he has God’s approval.
What was ‘crown wearings’ and why did William do this?
3x a year, when his great council met, he would wear his crown to remind his followers of his unique role.
Name the 5 different courts:
1) King’s court2) Shire courts3) Hundred courts4) Lord’s courts5) Manor courts
Describe the King’s court briefly:
The most important court which dealt with serious offences such as murder and rape.
Describe Shire Courts briefly:
They heard disputes over land or crimes involving violence or theft.
Describe Hundred Courts briefly:
Held months and dealt with minor disputes.
Describe the Lord’s Courts briefly:
These were introduced by the Norman’s for the lord to deal with his tenants. Not only sealed with crime and disputes but also supervised property transactions or made announcements of new laws from the King.
Describe Manor Courts briefly:
Manor courts were the most minor courts that dealt with day to day life in the village such as ploughing being carried out badly or labour not being supplied.
LAW ENFORCEMENTS.What were Constables?
They had the power to arrest people, break up fights and prevent fires. They held the key to STOCKS which was the punishment for some minor offences.
LAW ENFORCEMENTS.What were WATCHMEN?
Most towns had one who tried to make sure people kept to the curfew. They prevented crime and tried to catch criminals. Most didn’t take job seriously.
LAW ENFORCEMENTS.What is HUE AND CRY?
This was the system for catching criminals after an offence had occurred. They raised the alarm if they saw a crime and everyone who hears it had to help. If anyone ignored it, they would be fined.
LAW ENFORCEMENTS.What was TITHING?
Group of 10-12 freemen that promised to prevent each other from committing a crime. If one did, they had to reveal the guilty or all would be punished.
LAW ENFORCEMENTS.What was the MURDRUM FINE?
If a Norman was killed and their murderer had not been found within five days, the local community would be fined. This helped to reduce violent acts against the Normans and the fines went to the King.
