Topic 2 The Battle Of Hastings

Question 0

What did he do that was important and why did he do it?

Answer 0

He gave Rollo, a Viking chief some land in Northern France so that they would stop attacking other parts of France

Question 1

Who was the French King in the early 10th century?

Answer 1

Charles the Simple

Question 2

What did the land become known as?

Answer 2

North mania, the land of the Northmen. It was later shortened to Normandy.

Question 3

When did Edward the confessor, king of England die?

Answer 3

5th January 1066

Question 5

What was Edward III also known as and why?

Answer 5

Edward the confessor, because he was very religious and spent a lot of time at church

He built Westminster Abbey

Question 6

How long did Edward reign for?

Answer 6

23 years

Question 7

Who were 3 candidates for the throne?

Answer 7

Harold Godwinson
Harold Hadraada
William of Normandy

Question 8

Who were the Norman’s?

Answer 8

They were originally Vikings from Scandinavia who lived in Normandy in Northern France

Question 9

What were the rules for selecting an heir to the throne?

Answer 9

A blood claim or in the absence of this whoever was first to grab it!

Question 10

Name the two types of warrior in the Saxons army

Answer 10

Housecarls - professional full time soldiers

Fryd - part time soldiers called upon when needed

Question 11

List 5 reasons why Harold Godwinson was a good candidate for the throne and who asked him to become king?

Answer 11

He was the Earl of Wessex and a powerful nobleman
He was Edward’s brother-in-law
He claimed that Edward gave him the crown on his death bed
He was an experienced warrior
He was English!

The witan asked him to become king

Question 12

list 2 reasons why William, Duke of Normandy was considered a candidate for the throne?

Answer 12

William claimed that Edward had promised him the crown.

He also claimed that Harold Godwinson had sworn to support him in his claim to the throne.

Question 13

List 3 reasons why Harald Hardrada was a candidate for the throne?

Answer 13

He was the heir of the Viking king, Cnut, who also ruled Denmark and Norway.

Hardrada’s family ruled England from 1016 - 1042 before Edward took the throne and he believed the throne should never have been given to Edward.

Hardrada was also the most renowned soldier of the age.

Question 14

What was the witan?

Answer 14

The witan is an old version of parliament

Question 15

Who owned the Saxon army

Answer 15

Harold Godwinson owned the Saxon army

Question 16

How many soldiers were in the English / Saxon army?

Answer 16

10,000

Question 17

When Harold Godwinson became king who planned to invade and why?

Answer 17

Both Harald Hadraada and William Duke of Normandy wanted to invade and claim the throne of England.

Question 18

There were three types of soldiers in the Norman army what were they?

Answer 18

Spearmen
Calvary
Archers
These were full time professional soldiers

Question 21

Who fought at the Battle of Stamford bridge?

Answer 21

Harald Hardrada and Harold Godwinson.

Question 22

What did the English people think about this?

Answer 22

The English people thought it was a bad omen, that something terrible was going to happen or that the new king had committed a terrible sin.

Question 23

What did the Norman’s think about this?

Answer 23

They thought it was a good sign, that victory would be theirs!

Question 24

Who was Tostig?

Answer 24

Tostig was one of the commanding officers of Hardrada’s Army. He was the brother of Harold Godwinson!

Question 26

When was the battle of Stamford bridge?

Answer 26

26th September 1066

Question 27

What English City is near Stamford Bridge?

Answer 27

York

Question 28

Who won the battle of Stamford Bridge and why?

Answer 28

Harold Godwinson won the battle mainly because Hardrada’s army were taken by surprise and were unprepared.

Question 29

When and where did William arrive in England?

Answer 29

28th Sept 1066 in Pevensey

Question 30

How many soldiers did William have?

Answer 30

Approx 7000

Question 31

What two important people were killed at Stamford bridge?

Answer 31

Tostig and Harald Hardrada.

Question 32

How many ships sailed back to Norway after their defeat?

Answer 32

Only 24 from approx 300 that arrived

Question 33

What strange appearance happened in April 1066

Answer 33

Halley’s comet

Question 34

When and where was William crowned?

Answer 34

Christmas Day 1066 in Westminster Abbey

Question 35

What was William’s nickname?

Answer 35

William the conqueror

Question 36

What famous buildings did he build?

Answer 36

The Tower of London and Windsor Castle

By the end of his reign over 80 castles were built

Question 37

What changed in England under William’s rule?

Answer 37

Earls became less powerful

Introduction of the feudal system

Question 38

What is the feudal system?

Answer 38

A hierarchy system already used in Normandy.

From the bottom the peasants, knights, barons, then king.

Question 39

What is the Harring of the North?

Answer 39

This term was used to describe William’s harsh tactics of destruction and high taxes against the people

Question 40

What is the Domesday book and when was it ordered?

Answer 40

This is the first ever census. It is a complete record of the people who lived in England and how much land, livestock and property they owned.

It was ordered in 1086

Question 41

Why did William want this information ?

Answer 41

So that he knew how wealthy the country was and so that he could tax the people more heavily and make himself richer.

Question 42

When did William die?

Answer 42

1087

Question 43

Who became king of England after William?

Answer 43

His eldest son Robert became king of Normandy and his 2nd son William became king of England (William II).

He became known as William Rufus because of his red hair!