William I and his family

Question 1

Give 13 characteristics of William

Answer 1

Harsh rough voice, physically dominating, generous, cheerful, energetic, strong but grew fat in later life, brave, inspiring, brutal, religious, loved hunting, politically intelligent, magnificent appearance

Question 2

When did Queen Matilda marry William?

Answer 2

1050

Question 3

When and where did Matilda act as regent?

Answer 3

1066 in Normandy

Question 4

Who was Matilda’s father?

Answer 4

Count of Flounders

Question 5

When did Matilda die?

Answer 5

1083, 4 years before William

Question 6

Give 7 characteristics of Robert of Normandy

Answer 6

Cheerful, round faced, talkative, short, stout, great soldier when he was younger, became a brave and famous crusader

Question 7

What 2 nicknames was Robert given?

Answer 7

Curthose (short boots), Fat Legs

Question 8

What happened when Robert returned from Crusade?

Answer 8

Fought Henry for control of Normandy but lost, Henry kept Robert in a comfortable prison in Cardiff for the rest of his life

Question 9

Why was William Rufus given the name Rufus?

Answer 9

Avoid mix up with his father, red complexion and red hair

Question 10

Give 6 characteristics of William Rufus

Answer 10

Short, grew fat, intelligent, great soldier, energetic, knew it was important to look powerful

Question 11

When did William Rufus become King of England and what did he do during this time?

Answer 11

1087, invaded Normandy twice to try to take it from Robert

Question 12

How and when did William Rufus die?

Answer 12

Hunting accident in New Forest, 1100

Question 13

When was Henry King of England?

Answer 13

1100-1135

Question 14

Give 4 characteristics of Henry

Answer 14

short, grew fat in later life, successful king, ruthless

Question 15

How was one of Williams sons Richard killed?

Answer 15

Hunting

Question 16

What are the names of Williams five daughters?

Answer 16

Cecelia, Matilda, Adelida, Adela, Constance

Question 17

Who became king of England after 1135?

Answer 17

Adela’s son, Stephen

Question 18

Which four facts show Williams trust in Odo after 1066?

Answer 18

Gave him a huge amount of land worth £3000 a year, appointed him Earl of Kent, made him his regent in England on several occasions, in 1075 Odo led the kings army to defeat the Earl of Norfolk and end the revolt of the Earls

Question 19

Why did the English hate Odo?

Answer 19

His harsh treatment. Branded a ‘ravening wolf’ by one chronicler

Question 20

What caused Odo’s conflict with William?

Answer 20

Odos wish for more power

Question 21

What did Odo plan in 1082?

Answer 21

Military expedition to Italy where he may have hoped to become pope and use force to persuade others to support him

Question 22

What was Williams response to Odo’s choice to carry on the plan?

Answer 22

Arrested and imprisoned Odo in Rouen in Normandy where he was held for the rest of Williams reign

Question 23

When and why was Odo released?

Answer 23

Released by a dying William because nobles pleaded for his freedom

Question 24

Who wants mass the heir to Normandy?

Answer 24

Robert

Question 25

What did William supposedly think of Robert by the 1970s and what did this cause William to do?

Answer 25

William thought Robert was spoiled and sometimes foolish, Robert was impatient to rule lands for himself so William refused to give Normandy to Robert

Question 26

What meant there was even less chance of Robert proving himself worthy of taking over Normandy?

Answer 26

By 1978 William spent most of his time in Normandy and little time in England

Question 27

What sparked Roberts revolt?

Answer 27

His brothers Rufus and Henry stood in the gallery of a house and urinated down onto the heads of Robert and his friends in the hall below

Question 28

What did Robert do the morning after his brawl with his brothers?

Answer 28

Fled with a group of followers and tried to take control of Williams castle at Rouen but failed.

Question 29

Which of Williams enemies took advantage of the split in his family and how?

Answer 29

Rulers of France and Flanders gave Robert knights and the castle at Gerberoi knowing it would be harder for William to defeat his son

Question 30

How did William retaliate to Robert’s raids in Normandy?

Answer 30

Marched an army to Gerberoi and besieged Robert in the castle

Question 31

How did Robert fight William in Gerberoi?

Answer 31

His he and his men surged out of the castle and attacked Williams army

Question 32

What was the outcome of William and Roberts fight?

Answer 32

Robert won, he was wounded but William had to be rescued by an Englishman in his army. Robert looked a great success but William looked weak

Question 33

What did Queen Matilda do during Robert revolt?

Answer 33

Sending Robert money because she could not bear her family being at war with each other

Question 34

Who decided it was a good time to invade the North of England after Roberts revolt?

Answer 34

King of Scots

Question 35

Who was Roberts revolt between?

Answer 35

The older generation and younger generation because Roberts supporters were sons of senior Norman nobles

Question 36

Why did William agree to a peace settlement? (2 reasons)

Answer 36

Queen Matilda begged William to end war within her family and the older nobles also did not wish to see their sons harmed

Question 37

When did William make peace with Robert and what did this mean?

Answer 37

Easter 1080, Robert was reconfirmed at heir in Normandy

Question 38

How did William and Robert show their unity after making peace? 2 things

Answer 38

Robert led Williams army to defeat Scottish invaders, he ordered the building of a new castle which became one of the largest cities in England - Newcastle

Question 39

Who was at Williams deathbed?

Answer 39

Rufus and Henry but not Robert due to more arguments with his father. Despite this William still left Normandy to Robert

Question 40

What 3 things happened when Rufus went over to England before Williams death?

Answer 40

Sent by William to take a letter to Archbishop Lanfranc instructing him to arrange for Rufus to be crowned king of England, took control of royal treasury in a Winchester, soon crowned king with Lanfranc’s support

Question 41

What decision did nobles face after Williams death?

Answer 41

They had land in Normandy and England and didn’t know whether to pay homage to Robert or Rufus

Question 42

What answer did Odo come up with to the nobles decision?

Answer 42

Choose between Robert and Rufus and help one of them reunite England and Normandy, Odo suggested to unite behind Robert and depose Rufus

Question 43

When and why would Rufus have suspected a rebellion?

Answer 43

Easter 1088 when he held his Easter court and many nobles stayed away

Question 44

What did Rufus do after outbreaks of rebellion in the midlands and south?

Answer 44

Headed straight for the heart where Odo was planning a rebellion, captured Odo and the castle, ending the rebellion

Question 45

How had Rufus been helped?

Answer 45

By Roberts failure to leave Normandy, he treated rebels generously to win them over

Question 46

What happened to Odo after his rebellion against Rufus?

Answer 46

Exiled from England and spent the rest of his life in Normandy before dying on the way to crusade