In 1066 two armies met in Hastings. The battle lasted most of the day and King Harold of England was killed and the winner William of Normandy became the new king of England (was crowned).
We need to look at the reasons why William was able to win.
Why did William win the Battle of Hastings ?
In 1066 two armies met in Hastings. The battle lasted most of the day and King Harold of England was killed and the winner William of Normandy became the new king of England (was crowned).
We need to look at the reasons why William was able to win.
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One reason why William won the battle was because of Harold’s weaknesses and bad luck. Firstly, the wind changed just as the right time for William while Harold was still in the North ( He defeated the Vikings and travelled back south as quickly as possible)Secondly, Harold was killed during the battle: his men lost their leader and their conHidence.
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A second reason William won the battle was the strength and skill of the Norman army.For example, the Norman soldiers were well trained, the army is very complete we can notice:
archers, foot soldiers and the cavalry (knights on horseback).
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A =inal reason William won the battle was his leadership. The army must have felt conHident that God was on their side because William carried the banner given to him by the Pope. Moreover he used the trick of retreating and the army took advantage of the situation.One reason why William won the battle was because of Harold’s
weaknesses and bad luck. Firstly, the wind changed just as the
right time for William while Harold was still in the North ( He
defeated the Vikings and travelled back south as quickly as possible)
Secondly, Harold was killed during the battle: his men lost their
leader and their conHidence.
A second reason William won the battle was the strength and skill of the Norman army.
For example, the Norman soldiers were well trained,
the army is very complete we can notice: archers, foot
soldiers and the cavalry (knights on horseback).
A =inal reason William won the battle was his leadership. The
army must have felt conHident that God was on their side because
William carried the banner given to him by the Pope. Moreover he
used the trick of retreating and the army took advantage of the
situation.
II) How did William the conqueror control England?
When William had conquered England successfully in 1066 he had four key problems. He needed:
- To reward his loyal followers (Normans) and those in England who supported him.
- Money (invading England was expensive!);
- An army in case anyone else tried to invade England (The Danes).
- To show the Anglo-Saxons that he was in control and to stop any rebellions.
A) The Domesday Book (1086)
Domes-day means ‘day of judgment’ (Doomsday) when God judges the living and the dead.
The Domesday got its name because it was supposed to be such a complete record of informaPon that it would last forever. Just like Judgement Day, no one could escape being recorded in the Domesday Book…
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A) The Domesday Book (1086)
Domes-day means ‘day of judgment’ (Doomsday) when God judges the living and the dead.
The Domesday got its name because it was supposed to be such a complete
record of informaPon that it would last forever. Just like Judgement Day, no
one could escape being recorded in the Domesday Book…
Source 1: Excerpt from The Domesday Book (1086)
“In the city of York, before 1066 there were 6 shires besides the Arbishop’s. One of these has been laid waste for the castles. In 5 shires there were 1418 inhabited dwellings. Out of the aforemenOoned dwellings there are now inhabited in the King’s hand, paying customary dues, 400 less 9, both large and small; 400 dwellings not inhabited of which the beVer ones pays 1 penny and the others less; and 540 dwellings so empty that they pay nothing at all; and the Frenchmen hold 145 dwellings.”
Source 2: ‘ King William sent his men to all parts of England.
They had to find out how much land the King had. They also
found out how much land the churches and his barons held. This was done so well that every scrap of land, and every ox, cow, and pig was put into the report”.
Wri%en by a monk at Worcester soon a1er the year 1100.
What is the aim of William’s Domesday Book? Try to use quotes to explain your point of view….
Shires= counPes ;
to lay waste : rester en friche
AforemenOoned a maVer which hast just been referred to.; Due : a tax
Dwelling: a place where
scrap of land: a piece of land; an ox : un boeuf.
A report/ a survey : a detailed invesPgaPon.
Barons: a lord, the most important barons were
In 1085, William the first ordered a survey to discover the resources and taxable values of all the boroughs and manors in England.
The Domesday Book help William keep Control of England.
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He could work out how much each person In England could afford to pay him in taxes. ‘there are now inhabited in the King’s hand, paying customary dues, 400 less 9, both large and small’
He knew exactly how many people he could get to fight for him.
He could seVle any quarrels over who owned which bit of land: ‘They also found out how much land the churches and his barons held’
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B) The Feudal System
Feudalism is the name given to the system of government William I introduced to
England aeer he defeated Harold at the BaVle of HasPngs (1066). Feudalism
became a way of life in Medieval England and remained so for many centuries.
Explain the links between these elements:
- Who were the different protagonists of the Feudal system?
The protagonists were the King, Barons, Knights, peasants.
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- What were the barons to the King?The barons were King s’men or vassals. Aeer receiving land from the King, they had to kneel
before him and promise to perform their due service (doing homage). They had to swear an oath of loyalty
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- What did the King demand from his barons?The King demanded his barons services as providing Knights and horses. Knights are men of noble birth who served their king or their lord in baVle.
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- What did he give them in return?He gave them a land or a feud in return.
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- How did the barons control their domains?They gave some land to Knights
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- What was the role of the peasants in the Feudal system?They worked the land for knights or barons who, in turn, promised to protect them.
