William In Power: Securing The Kingdom 1066-87 Flashcards
(69 cards)
When and where was William crowned king?
25th December 1066 at Westminster Abbey
What was the submission of earls?
When the Anglo-Saxon nobles (including Edwin, Morcar and Edgar) met with William and surrendered to him, finally promising to remain loyal, in December 1066.
Who did a group of powerful nobles claim was the rightful king right after William won the battle of Hastings?
Edgar Aethling, they took refuge in London with him for 2 months before surrendering.
Who were Williams threats to his rule?
- the Welsh and Scottish
- Harold Godwinsons sons in Ireland
- the danish kings believed they had a claim to the throne
- the Anglo-Saxons themselves
Which Anglo-Saxons did William allow to keep their land?
He seized the land of Anglo-Saxon nobles who had died at Hastings or refused to accept him, and allowed those who accepted his rule to keep their land.
Who did William give out the land he’d seized to?
The Norman’s who had helped him to become king
Why did William hope to carry on in the style of Edward’s reign?
He wanted the Anglo-Saxons to see him as the true successor.
Why were the marcher earldoms created?
To control the Welsh border
What were the names of the marcher earldoms?
Chester
Shrewsbury
Hereford
Who did William give the marcher earldoms to?
To his closest allies, like Roger of Montgomery and William FitzOsbern because he trusted them.
What privileges did the marcher earls receive?
Didn’t pay tax
Granted full power of law
Right to build castles
Could create towns and establish churches
What were the reasons for the Normans building so many castles?
- to prevent invasion
- as a response to Anglo-Saxon rebellions
- they were a highly visible symbol of the Normans dominance and control
How many castles were built in towns and why?
Two thirds of- helped the Normans control the urban population
What strategically important places did the Norman’s use castles to control and why?
Towns, major roads, and rivers so that Norman’s across the country couldn’t get cut off from each other, and it made it very hard for Anglo-Saxon rebels to move around freely.
What did the network of castles throughout England mean?
William could station troops all over the country, and they could be sent quickly to deal with unrest.
Why did the building of castles give the Norman’s a big military advantage over the Saxons?
The Saxons didn’t have much experience of castle warfare, and they dint have many strong fortifications to compare.
What was the motte?
A large cone-shaped mound of earth with a flat top, the help was built in top of the motte.
What was the Bailey?
A large enclosure below the motte, where most of the living accommodation was.
What was the palisade?
The high walls built around the motte and Bailey, often made from a fence of sharpened wooden stakes.
What was the motte and Bailey surrounded with?
Deep ditches, often separating the mote from the Bailey so the motte could still be defended if the Bailey was captured.
What was the entrance to a motte and Bailey castle guarded by?
A gatehouse, the entrance was via a bridge across the ditch.
Did Norman castles vary in size?
Yes, some were large and complex whilst others were small and simple.
What were the earliest Norman castles made with?
They were almost all built from wood and earth m, which meant they could be built quickly and without skilled labour. Lots were later replaced with stone castles.
What were the earthworks?
Where the earth was built up to create a mound for the Bailey.
