Welcome to Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88!
In this chapter, we are going on a journey back to the 11th century. This is a massive "turning point" in English history. We start with the Anglo-Saxons—who had ruled England for hundreds of years—and see how they were conquered by the Normans from France. This isn't just a story about kings and battles; it’s about how the entire way of life in England changed forever. Don't worry if the names seem similar at first; we will break them down together!
Key Topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66
1.1 Anglo-Saxon Government and Society
Before the Normans arrived, England was already a well-organized country. Think of the King as the CEO of a massive company. He couldn't do everything himself, so he had "regional managers" called Earls who looked after large areas called Earldoms.
Social Structure: It was like a pyramid.
1. The King: At the top, he owned all the land.
2. Earls: The most powerful lords.
3. Thegns: Noble warriors who held land from the Earls.
4. Ceorls: "Free" peasants who had to work for the lord but could move around.
5. Peasants: Worked the land.
6. Slaves: At the bottom, they were treated as property.
The Witan: This was a council of powerful bishops and earls who advised the King. Importantly, they helped decide who the next king should be if the current one died without a clear heir.
1.2 The Succession Crisis of 1066
In January 1066, King Edward the Confessor died. The big problem? He had no children. This led to a "succession crisis"—basically a giant fight over who should be the next king.
The Four Main Claimants:
• Harold Godwinson: The Earl of Wessex. He was the most powerful man in England and claimed Edward promised him the throne on his deathbed.
• William, Duke of Normandy: A cousin of Edward. He claimed Edward had promised him the throne in 1051 and that Harold Godwinson had sworn a holy oath to support him.
• Harald Hardrada: The King of Norway. A fierce Viking warrior who claimed the throne based on old Viking deals.
• Edgar the Aethling: Edward’s great-nephew. He was the only one with "royal blood," but he was only 14 and lacked support.
Memory Aid: Remember the three "H's" and one "W": Harold (English), Harald (Viking), Heir (Edgar/Aethling), and William (Norman).
1.3 The Battles of 1066
The year 1066 was a busy year for battles!
1. Battle of Gate Fulford: Hardrada (the Viking) invades the North and defeats the English Earls Edwin and Morcar.
2. Battle of Stamford Bridge: Harold Godwinson marches his army 185 miles in just four days! He surprises the Vikings and kills Hardrada.
3. Battle of Hastings: While Harold is in the North, William lands his Norman army in the South. Harold has to march all the way back down.
The Battle of Hastings (14 October 1066):
The English used a Shield Wall—standing shoulder-to-shoulder on a hill. It was almost impossible to break.
The Normans used Feigned Retreat—William’s soldiers pretended to run away. The English broke their shield wall to chase them, and the Norman knights turned around and cut them down.
Quick Review: Harold Godwinson died (possibly with an arrow in his eye), and William became the victor.
Key Takeaway: William won because he had better-trained troops (cavalry and archers) and used clever tactics like the feigned retreat, while Harold’s army was exhausted from fighting the Vikings.
Key Topic 2: William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066–87
2.1 Establishing Control
Winning a battle is one thing; ruling a hostile country is another! At first, the English nobles (the Earls) didn't want to follow William. He had to force their submission. He rewarded his own Norman followers with land taken from the English.
The Marcher Earldoms: William created three special earldoms on the border with Wales (Chester, Shrewsbury, and Hereford). These Earls were given extra powers so they could defend the border without waiting for the King's permission.
2.2 Castles
Normans built Motte and Bailey castles everywhere.
• Motte: A large mound of earth with a wooden tower on top.
• Bailey: An enclosed courtyard at the bottom where soldiers lived.
Analogy: These castles were like giant "police stations" or "Do Not Trespass" signs. They were built quickly to intimidate the local English population and provide a safe base for Norman soldiers.
2.3 Anglo-Saxon Resistance (1068–71)
The English didn't give up easily! There were several rebellions:
• Edwin and Morcar (1068): They fled William's court but surrendered quickly.
• The North (1069): Rebellions broke out in York with help from the Danes.
• Hereward the Wake (1070-71): A famous rebel who used the marshy "Fens" of Ely to hide and attack Normans.
The Harrying of the North (1069–70):
To stop the Northern rebellions forever, William ordered his army to destroy everything. They burned crops, killed livestock, and destroyed tools. Thousands died of starvation.
Common Mistake: Don't think this was just a battle; it was a deliberate attempt to make the North of England uninhabitable so no one could rebel again.
Key Takeaway: William used a "carrot and stick" approach—rewarding those who were loyal but using extreme violence (like the Harrying) against those who resisted.
Key Topic 3: Norman England, 1066–88
3.1 The Feudal System
William changed how land was owned. In the Feudal System, the King owned everything.
• Tenants-in-chief: Powerful lords who got land directly from the King. In return, they provided knights.
• Knights: Held land from the lords. In return, they fought for 40 days a year (Knight Service).
• Peasants: Worked on the land (Labour Service) to provide food for their lords.
Forfeiture: If a lord was disloyal, the King could simply take their land away. This kept everyone on their best behavior!
3.2 The Church and Government
William replaced almost all Anglo-Saxon bishops with Normans. The most important was Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
• Normanisation: They built huge stone cathedrals and enforced stricter rules for priests.
• Regents: When William was away in Normandy (which was often!), he appointed people he trusted to run England in his name.
3.3 The Domesday Book (1086)
William wanted to know exactly how much everyone in England owned so he could tax them accurately. He sent officials to every village to record who lived there, how many sheep they had, and what the land was worth.
Did you know? It was called "Domesday" because, like the Last Judgment, its word was final. No one could argue with the book!
3.4 William's Death and Succession
William I was a complex man—brave and religious, but also very cruel.
Relations with Robert: William had a difficult relationship with his eldest son, Robert Curthose. They even fought a war against each other in Normandy!
The Death of William (1087): When William died, he split his lands:
1. Robert (the eldest) got Normandy.
2. William Rufus (the second son) got England.
This led to a rebellion in 1088 by Bishop Odo, who wanted Robert to rule both. William Rufus defeated the rebellion and stayed King of England.
Quick Review Box:
• Feudal System: Land for loyalty.
• Lanfranc: Reformer of the Church.
• Domesday Book: The ultimate tax record.
• William Rufus: William I's successor in England.
Key Takeaway: By 1088, the Normans had completely replaced the Anglo-Saxon ruling class. The laws, the church, and the economy were now all under Norman control.