william I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066-1087 Flashcards
(134 cards)
1
Q
What significant battle did William of Normandy win to begin his claim to the English throne?
A
Battle of Hastings
2
Q
When was William crowned King of England?
A
25th December 1066
3
Q
Who were the main rivals to William’s claim to the throne after the Battle of Hastings?
A
Edgar Atheling, Earls of Mercia and Northumbria (Edwin and Morcar)
4
Q
What event is known as the submission of the earls?
A
The surrender of Anglo-Saxon nobles to William in December 1066
5
Q
What groups posed a threat to William’s rule after he became king?
A
- The Welsh
- The Scottish
- Harold Godwinson’s sons in Ireland
- Danish kings
6
Q
What was William’s approach to the Anglo-Norman nobility?
A
To create a mixed Anglo-Norman nobility including Norman settlers and surviving Anglo-Saxon elite
7
Q
What land policy did William implement regarding Anglo-Saxon nobles?
A
- Seized land from nobles who died at Hastings or refused him
- Allowed loyal nobles to keep their land
8
Q
What challenges did William face regarding land distribution to his supporters?
A
Not enough unoccupied land to satisfy all Norman settlers
9
Q
What led to resentment among the Norman settlers during William’s reign?
A
Some Norman settlers resorted to seizing land from surviving Anglo-Saxon nobles
10
Q
What were the Marcher Earldoms and why were they created?
A
Earldoms established to control the Welsh Border and prevent support for Anglo-Saxon rebels
11
Q
Who were some of the earls appointed by William to manage the Marcher Earldoms?
A
- Roger of Montgomery
- William FitzOsbern
12
Q
What privileges did the Marcher earls receive?
A
- Exemption from paying tax
- Permission to build as many castles as they liked
13
Q
True or False: William I aimed to replace the Anglo-Saxon nobility entirely after his conquest.
A
False
14
Q
Fill in the blank: The Welsh Marches are the border between England and _______.
A
Wales
15
Q
What was a significant consequence of William’s land policies?
A
Motivated many revolts at the start of his reign
16
Q
How did Norman settlement help William establish authority?
A
Provided loyal fighters when needed
17
Q
What significant battle did William of Normandy win to begin his claim to the English throne?
A
Battle of Hastings
18
Q
When was William crowned King of England?
A
25th December 1066
19
Q
Who were the main rivals to William’s claim to the throne after the Battle of Hastings?
A
Edgar Atheling, Earls of Mercia and Northumbria (Edwin and Morcar)
20
Q
What event is known as the submission of the earls?
A
The surrender of Anglo-Saxon nobles to William in December 1066
21
Q
What groups posed a threat to William’s rule after he became king?
A
- The Welsh
- The Scottish
- Harold Godwinson’s sons in Ireland
- Danish kings
22
Q
What was William’s approach to the Anglo-Norman nobility?
A
To create a mixed Anglo-Norman nobility including Norman settlers and surviving Anglo-Saxon elite
23
Q
What land policy did William implement regarding Anglo-Saxon nobles?
A
- Seized land from nobles who died at Hastings or refused him
- Allowed loyal nobles to keep their land
24
Q
What challenges did William face regarding land distribution to his supporters?
A
Not enough unoccupied land to satisfy all Norman settlers
25
What led to resentment among the Norman settlers during William's reign?
Some Norman settlers resorted to seizing land from surviving Anglo-Saxon nobles
26
What were the Marcher Earldoms and why were they created?
Earldoms established to control the Welsh Border and prevent support for Anglo-Saxon rebels
27
Who were some of the earls appointed by William to manage the Marcher Earldoms?
* Roger of Montgomery
* William FitzOsbern
28
What privileges did the Marcher earls receive?
* Exemption from paying tax
* Permission to build as many castles as they liked
29
True or False: William I aimed to replace the Anglo-Saxon nobility entirely after his conquest.
False
30
Fill in the blank: The Welsh Marches are the border between England and _______.
Wales
31
What was a significant consequence of William’s land policies?
Motivated many revolts at the start of his reign
32
How did Norman settlement help William establish authority?
Provided loyal fighters when needed
33
Who built castles all over England after the conquest?
The Normans
34
What was one of the first actions of the Normans when they landed at Pevensey in 1066?
They immediately started building a castle
35
What strategic advantage did castles provide William during his conquest?
They provided a strong base to fight for the throne
36
What was a key reason for building castles along the south coast of England?
To prevent invasion by sea
37
Fill in the blank: Castles were often built as a response to _______.
Anglo-Saxon rebellions
38
What percentage of Norman castles were built in towns?
More than two-thirds
39
True or False: Norman castles were sometimes built on the sites of Anglo-Saxon thegns' residences.
True
40
Approximately how many castles are recorded in the Domesday Book?
Fifty
41
What type of castles were most common among the Normans?
Motte and bailey castles
42
What role did castles play in the Normans' military strategy?
They were vital for defense and military operations
43
How did castles help control strategically important places?
They prevented Norman troops from getting cut off from each other
44
What was a significant advantage the Normans had over the Anglo-Saxons in warfare?
The Anglo-Saxons lacked experience with castles and strong fortifications
45
Fill in the blank: The network of castles allowed William to station _______ across the country.
Norman troops
46
What were castles used for besides defense?
As bases for launching attacks on surrounding territory
47
What historical period saw the majority of castles built in England?
Between 1066 and 1086
48
What was one reason for the rapid construction of castles during the Norman Conquest?
To establish control and dominance over England
49
What was the primary purpose of Norman castles?
To combine military strength with living accommodation
50
What type of castles were most common in England during the Norman period?
Motte and Bailey Castles
51
What is a motte?
A large cone-shaped mound of earth with a flat top
52
What was the height range of mottes?
3m to 30m
53
How were mottes typically constructed?
Usually manmade, but some used natural landscape features
54
What structure was commonly built on top of the motte?
A tower (sometimes called a keep)
55
What is a bailey?
A large enclosure, usually located on one side of the motte
56
What surrounded the motte and bailey for defense?
Ditches, which were sometimes filled with water to create a moat
57
What was the purpose of the gatehouse in a Norman castle?
To guard the entrance
58
How could one access the motte?
Through the bailey via a bridge across the ditch or moat
59
What were the high walls around the motte and bailey often made from?
A fence of sharpened wooden stakes (a palisade)
60
Where was most of the living accommodation located in a Norman castle?
Within the bailey
61
What types of buildings could be found in the bailey?
* Housing
* Stables
* Chapel
62
Did all Norman castles follow the same design?
No, they varied in size, structure, building materials, and location
63
What was a notable feature of Exeter Castle?
It did not have a motte or keep, just a fortified enclosure
64
What materials were the earliest Norman castles primarily built from?
Wood and earth
65
Why were wooden castles often replaced with stone castles?
For greater durability and strength
66
What significant order did William issue in 1070 regarding Hastings Castle?
To rebuild it using stone
67
How did the Normans use natural landscape features for their castles?
To make them easier to defend
68
Which castles were built inside existing Anglo-Saxon fortifications?
* Pevensey
* Exele
69
True or False: Norman castles were all built with the same materials.
False
70
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a large enclosure often located on one side of the motte.
bailey
71
What was the primary purpose of Norman castles?
To combine military strength with living accommodation
72
What type of castles were most common in England during the Norman period?
Motte and Bailey Castles
73
What is a motte?
A large cone-shaped mound of earth with a flat top
74
What was the height range of mottes?
3m to 30m
75
How were mottes typically constructed?
Usually manmade, but some used natural landscape features
76
What structure was commonly built on top of the motte?
A tower (sometimes called a keep)
77
What is a bailey?
A large enclosure, usually located on one side of the motte
78
What surrounded the motte and bailey for defense?
Ditches, which were sometimes filled with water to create a moat
79
What was the purpose of the gatehouse in a Norman castle?
To guard the entrance
80
How could one access the motte?
Through the bailey via a bridge across the ditch or moat
81
What were the high walls around the motte and bailey often made from?
A fence of sharpened wooden stakes (a palisade)
82
Where was most of the living accommodation located in a Norman castle?
Within the bailey
83
What types of buildings could be found in the bailey?
* Housing
* Stables
* Chapel
84
Did all Norman castles follow the same design?
No, they varied in size, structure, building materials, and location
85
What was a notable feature of Exeter Castle?
It did not have a motte or keep, just a fortified enclosure
86
What materials were the earliest Norman castles primarily built from?
Wood and earth
87
Why were wooden castles often replaced with stone castles?
For greater durability and strength
88
What significant order did William issue in 1070 regarding Hastings Castle?
To rebuild it using stone
89
How did the Normans use natural landscape features for their castles?
To make them easier to defend
90
Which castles were built inside existing Anglo-Saxon fortifications?
* Pevensey
* Exele
91
True or False: Norman castles were all built with the same materials.
False
92
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a large enclosure often located on one side of the motte.
bailey
93
Who were Edwin and Morcar?
Anglo-Saxon earls of Mercia and Northumbria who submitted to William's rule in 1066
## Footnote
They were brothers kept close to William in the royal household.
94
What motivated Edwin and Morcar to rebel in 1068?
Frustration with William for restricting their power
## Footnote
They fled the royal household to launch a rebellion in Mercia.
95
What was William's immediate response to Edwin and Morcar's rebellion in 1068?
He marched into Mercia and built a castle in Warwick
## Footnote
This led to Edwin and Morcar surrendering again.
96
What leniency did William show to Edwin and Morcar after their surrender?
He granted them their lives and freedom
## Footnote
He later constructed more castles in Nottingham and York.
97
What significant event occurred in Northern England in 1069?
A major revolt involving northern nobles, Edgar Atheling, and foreign kings
## Footnote
This posed a serious threat to William's rule.
98
What happened to the newly-appointed Norman Earl of Northumbria in 1069?
He was massacred by the rebels at Durham
## Footnote
Several hundred of his knights were also killed.
99
How did William respond to the rebellion in 1069?
He hurried north, built a second castle at York, and strengthened Norman forces in Northumbria
## Footnote
His swift actions helped him regain control.
100
What was the outcome of the Danish fleet's arrival in September 1069?
The Danes joined the northern rebels and took control of York
## Footnote
They seized both Norman castles in the city.
101
What agreement did William reach with the Danes?
They returned to their ships, allowing William to scatter the Anglo-Saxon rebels
## Footnote
This helped him regain control over Northumbria.
102
What factors weakened the Anglo-Saxon resistance to the Normans?
Lack of national movement, no strong leader, failure to coordinate, and some nobles supporting William
## Footnote
These issues made resistance increasingly hopeless.
103
What was the fate of many rebels against Norman rule?
Many were killed or forced into exile
## Footnote
Those remaining may have accepted Norman rule.
104
Fill in the blank: Edwin and Morcar felt frustrated with William for _______.
restricting their power
105
True or False: Edwin and Morcar successfully maintained their power after the rebellion.
False
106
What was one consequence of the lack of coordination among rebels?
It made it easier for William to defeat them
## Footnote
The rebels had local concerns rather than common goals.
107
What was William's response to the revolt in 1069?
Merciless, but effective. It put an end to resistance in the north and cemented his authority as king.
108
What event led to the Harrying of the North?
The 1069 Revolt.
109
What was William's goal during the Harrying of the North?
To avoid any future rebellion in the north by destroying the rebels' supplies and sources of support.
110
How did the Harrying of the North serve as a message to the rest of the country?
It communicated what to expect if they rebelled.
111
What other challenges was William facing at the time of the 1069 revolt?
Other rebellions all over the country.
112
What approach did William decide to take during the Harrying of the North?
To lay waste to large parts of the north to force submission to the Normans.
113
What tactics were employed during the Harrying of the North?
Burning villages, slaughtering inhabitants, and destroying food supplies.
114
What was a significant consequence of the Harrying of the North in terms of food availability?
There was so little food that the remaining Anglo-Saxons had to eat dogs, cats, and horses to survive.
115
In which areas did the destruction from the Harrying of the North primarily take place?
Yorkshire and the northeast, but also reached Lincolnshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire.
116
What does the term 'Norman Yoke' refer to?
The idea that the Normans brutally oppressed the Anglo-Saxons using unnecessarily cruel methods.
117
What military tactic is often associated with the Harrying of the North?
'Scorched earth' tactics.
118
What were the short-term consequences of the Harrying of the North?
Many northerners fled and became refugees; those who stayed faced disease and starvation.
119
What did the Domesday Book reveal about the northern villages in 1086?
Many were described as 'waste'.
120
What is a difficulty in assessing the long-term damage caused by the Harrying of the North?
There were many reasons a village might be described as 'waste', making it hard to attribute the cause solely to the Harrying.
121
What is the significance of the Domesday Book being created almost twenty years after the Harrying?
It complicates the assessment of the long-term economic damage caused by the Harrying.
122
Who was William FitzOsbern?
A close ally of King William and the Earl of Hereford
## Footnote
He held significant lands in the south and west of England.
123
What happened to William FitzOsbern in 1071?
He died
## Footnote
His death contributed to unrest among the nobles.
124
Who inherited FitzOsbern's lands and titles?
Roger de Breteuil, his son
## Footnote
Roger felt he lacked the power and influence his father had.
125
What was Ralph de Gael's position in relation to King William?
Earl of East Anglia
## Footnote
He was dissatisfied with his limited power.
126
Who did Ralph de Gael ally with for the revolt?
Roger de Breteuil and Earl Waltheof of Northumbria
## Footnote
This alliance was formed due to their shared dissatisfaction with King William.
127
What significant event occurred in 1075 regarding Ralph de Gael?
He married Roger's sister, Emma
## Footnote
This marriage strengthened the alliance between Ralph and Roger.
128
What was the outcome of Waltheof's involvement in the revolt?
He confessed the plan to King William
## Footnote
This led to the revolt's quick suppression.
129
What happened to Ralph during the revolt?
He was under siege in Norwich Castle but escaped
## Footnote
He left his wife Emma in charge, who later surrendered.
130
What was the fate of Roger de Breteuil after the revolt?
He was captured and imprisoned for life
## Footnote
His disloyalty to the king led to this punishment.
131
How was Waltheof punished for his role in the revolt?
He was beheaded
## Footnote
He was the only Anglo-Saxon noble executed in William's reign.
132
What were the reasons for the failure of the Revolt of the Earls?
Several reasons, including:
* Insufficient Anglo-Saxon support
* Waltheof's betrayal
* Quick response from William and Lanfranc
* Late arrival of Danish reinforcements
133
What did William do during the Revolt of the Earls?
He remained in Normandy
## Footnote
The revolt was defeated so easily that he did not return to England.
134
What was the significance of the Revolt of the Earls in William's reign?
It was the last major rebellion involving Anglo-Saxons
## Footnote
After Waltheof's execution, cooperation with Normans became more likely.
