Norman England flashcards

Norman England covers the period following William of Normandy's conquest of England in 1066. Students must understand how William defeated Harold at the Battle of Hastings, how he established control through castles, the feudal system, and the Domesday Book, and how he dealt with English resistance. The topic also explores changes to the Church, the role of key figures such as Lanfranc, and the relationship between the king and his barons. Students should be able to assess how much life changed for ordinary English people under Norman rule, weighing continuity against change. Understanding the causes and consequences of key events, and being able to make supported judgements about the significance of Norman methods of control, is essential for success.

1. Card 1

   What was the feudal system introduced by William I?

   A hierarchical system of landholding where the king owned all land, granting it to barons and bishops in exchange for loyalty and military service, who in turn granted land to knights and villeins.

2. Card 2

   Why was the Battle of Hastings in 1066 significant?

   It resulted in the death of King Harold and the defeat of the English army, allowing William of Normandy to claim the English throne and begin the Norman Conquest.

3. Card 3

   What was the Domesday Book and why did William commission it?

   A detailed survey of land and resources in England, completed in 1086, used by William to assess wealth, establish who owned what, and ensure taxes were collected efficiently.

4. Card 4

   What was the 'Norman Yoke' and how did Normans maintain control over the English?

   Normans used castles, the feudal system, and forest laws to dominate the English population, replacing English nobles with Normans and suppressing rebellions harshly.

5. Card 5

   What was a motte-and-bailey castle and why was it used?

   A quick-to-build wooden fortification with a raised mound (motte) and enclosed courtyard (bailey), used by Normans to establish military control rapidly across England.

6. Card 6

   What was the Harrying of the North (1069-70)?

   William's brutal campaign to crush northern rebellion, involving the destruction of crops, livestock, and settlements, causing widespread famine and death across Yorkshire and beyond.

7. Card 7

   How did William change the English Church after 1066?

   William replaced English bishops and abbots with Normans, appointed Lanfranc as Archbishop of Canterbury, built new cathedrals, and brought the English Church closer to Rome.

8. Card 8

   What was the significance of the Oath of Salisbury in 1086?

   All significant landholders swore direct loyalty to William, bypassing their immediate lords. This strengthened royal authority and reduced the risk of barons uniting against the king.

9. Card 9

   What were forest laws and how did they affect ordinary people?

   William designated large areas as royal forest, banning hunting and clearing of land. Ordinary people faced severe punishments for poaching, restricting their livelihoods significantly.

10. Card 10

    Who were the villeins in Norman England?

    Unfree peasants who formed the lowest tier of the feudal system, bound to their lord's land, required to work it in exchange for a small plot, with very limited legal rights.

11. Card 11

    What was the murdrum fine and what did it reveal about Norman rule?

    A collective fine imposed on a local community if a Norman was found murdered, revealing the tension between Normans and the English and the Normans' need to protect their own people.

12. Card 12

    How did the role of the earl change under William I?

    William reduced the power of great English earls like those who had supported Harold, replacing them with trusted Norman barons and ensuring no single noble held too much regional power.

• Many students assume the Battle of Hastings was the only challenge William faced, forgetting that he spent years suppressing rebellions such as the Harrying of the North and the revolt of the earls.
• Students often confuse the feudal system as something entirely new to England, when in fact some elements of land tenure and service already existed before 1066, making it more of a development than a completely fresh introduction.
• A common error is to describe the Domesday Book as simply a census of people, when its primary purpose was to record land ownership and taxable wealth rather than to count the population.

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