Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c.1060-1088
Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest
Anglo-Saxon society
The social system At the bottom of the hierarchy were slaves (around 10% of population). Slaves could be bought and sold and were treated as
property. Next were peasant farmers, who rented small farms. Some of their produce they had to give to their local lord (if
they didn’t, they could have their right to use the land taken away). Some peasants were called ceorls and they were those
who could go and work for a different lord if they wanted to. Then came thegns, who were local lords and lived in a manor
house and were the aristocracy and warrior class. Then came the earls who were the most important men in the country
after the King.
Changing social
status
Your position in Anglo-Saxon society co uld change. For example, if a peasant did well, obtained five ‘hides’ of land a nd paid a
tax, they could become a thegn. Slaves co uld be freed by their masters, and peasants could sell themselves into slavery if
they were particularly desperate.
Powers of the King In 1066, the King was Edward the Confessor, the most powerful man in the country. He had a number of powers s uch as law-
making, controlling production of money, military power and taxation. The people were expected to obey the law and use
the king’s coins and land owners were expected to pay taxes and provide and equip fighters for the army.
King Edward, despite not being a warrior King, was a respected law-maker and pious (religious) which helped him
Limits to the
King’s power
1- The Danelaw (see key terms). They accepted Edward’s rule but wanted to be ruled by local men and to follow own laws
2 –Earl Godwin of Wessex. Godwin, though his land and thegns, was as wealthy and powerful as the King. This led to
tensions. For example, Godwin had been ordered by Edward to punish the people of Dover but Godwin refused. Edward,
with help from two other important earls, forced Godwin into exile. He returned the next year (1051) with a fleet and an
army and asked to have his earldom restored. Edward was forced to agree.
The Witan A council of important aristocrats (earls and archbishops) who advised the King. It discussed possible threats from foreign
powers, religious affairs and land disputes and how to settle them. It also played an important role in deciding who next king
would be
Earldoms Created by King Cnut in 1015, the Earldoms were c rucial to running the country. They were given many powers of the king.
For example:
Economic - Collecting taxes (they received a third of all the taxes they collected)
Legal - Overseeing justice and legal punishments in their earldom (though they couldn’t make new laws)
Military power - they were lords to hundreds of thegns and also maintained an elite bodyguard of professional soldiers
called generals.
Their power was in part dependent on the power of the king. For example, under Cnut, obedience was expected. Under
Edward, however, resistance was frequent.
Local government Earldoms were s plit into shires which had social, political, economic and military functions. Social: own court to try c ases and
give punishments. Political: Shire reeve who was the King’s representative, collected revenues, taxes and fines. Economic:
through the burh. Military: each shire had to provide troops for the fyrd (army and fleet).
Economy England was very wealthy with well-organised farming and land that was easy to farm (e.g. over 6000 mills for grinding grain
into flour). Silver coins used which were valuable and bought from Germany. England must have had enough to sell to
Germany in exchange for the silver.
Religion Anglo-Saxon society was highly religious. The Church was highly influential because people thought that they would be be
punished in the after-life if they did not live a religious life. King Edward believed he was an agent of God.
Key terms
Anglo-Saxons People who had settled in England after the R omans left Britain. They
came from different parts of what is now Germany, Belgium and the
Netherlands
Aristocracy The people in society who are seen as being more important because
of their wealth and power, which they have of ten inherited from their
parents and ancestors
Ceorls ’Free’ peasant farmers not tied to their land
Earls Highest in Anglo-Saxon aristocracy. The word came from the Danish
‘jarl’ who were chiefs who ruled a region on behalf of the King.
Danelaw The part of England where Danish (Viking) power had been strongest
and which had kept some of its Danish laws instead o f Anglo-Saxon
ones.
Fyrd The men of the Anglo-Saxon army and fleet. Every five hides provided
one man for the fyrd
Shire reeves (or
sheriff)
Were the king’s local government officials and they worked within the
earldoms to look after the king’s interests and carry out his
instructions
Burh Fortified [protected] towns, where all trade over a certain amount
had to take place (to ensure tax was paid)
Geld tax A tax on land, originally to pay off the Vikings (Danegald). It went to
the king
Wergild To stop blood feuds, this was money paid directly to a victim’s family
as a punishment. Archbishops worth 3,600 shillings, ceo rl worth 20
shillings.
Hue and cry Everyone’s responsibility to catch a criminal
Coronation Ceremony where a king is crowned
Rising against Earl Tostig
Background
and causes
Tostig Godwinson, brother of Harold Go dwinson, was Earl of Northumbria (large Northern Earldom). It was part of the Danelaw.
Causes included: high taxation, Tostig being a southerner, Tostig o rdering assassinations of rivals and not defending Northumbria
against Scottish attacks.
Response Harold blamed Tostig and Tostig claimed that the rebellion was actually against Edward. Edward commanded an army to be raised
against the rising but his command was not obeyed. Edward had to back down and accept the rebel’s demands so he put Morcar
in as Earl of Northumbria.
Significance Shows how the power of the king could be challenged if the king was weak and it was in the interests of the major Earls to work
together
Rival claimants for the throne
Harold
Godwinson
(c1022-1066)
Said he should be King as he was Edward’s brother-in-law and claimed
Edward promised him the throne. Had support from earls and thegns,
and was the wealthiest and most powerful man in England. He was
chosen by the Witan and his coronation took place on the day Edward
was buried, January 6th, 1066.
Edgar Aethling
(c1051-c1126)
Directly descended from King Edward (his nephew). Teenager when
King Edward died and people thought that England was about to be
attacked by Scandinavia and Normandy and felt it would be too risky
Harald
Hardrada
(1015-1066)
King of Norway and Viking warrior. Known as ‘Hard Ruler’ [Hardrada].
Claimed that the Viking King of England, King Cnut (1016-1035), had
made a secret deal which would put him o n the throne. Tostig
Godwinson supported the viking against his own brother
William of
Normandy
(c1028-1087)
Duke of Normandy and claimed that Edward had promised him the
throne, which was then confirmed after Harold’s embassry to
Normandy in 1064. Supported by the Pope.
Battle of Gate Fulford (20th September)
Who was
involved?
-Hardrada’s fleet (200-300 ships carrying about
9000 Vikings)
-Morcar and elder brother Edwin, and M ercia
What happened? Crushing defeat for Edwin and Morcar. Took
place at Gate Fulford, outside York as Edwin
and Morcar decided on open battle
Why did Hardrada
win?
-Outnumbered (probably 6000 to about 9000)
-Hardrada and his housecarls were better
prepared and tactically smarter (e.g. Hardrada
left best soldiers to attack from side)
-Edwin and Morcar stationed their army with
marshland to their backs. They had nowhere to
go
Battle of Stamford Bridge (25th September)
Who was involved? Harold Godwinson, Hardrada and Tostig
What happened? Harold Godwinson learned of hostage deal
and decided to sabotage it. He was
successful. Hardrada and Tostig were killed
and only 24 of Hardrada’s longships
returned (out of over 200)
Why did Godwinson
win?
-The Viking army had left their armour on
their ships
-Harold took Hardrada and Tostig my
surprise
-Harada’s army had fought a battle five days
before
-Harold’s housecarls broke Viking shield wall
Battle of Hastings (14th October 1066)
Who was involved? -Godwinson (6-7000 men, fyrdsmen and
housecarls) and William (800 knights, 4-6000
foot soldiers)
What happened? -Harold, despite not achieving surprise, got
to the top of Caldbec Hilll
-William’s archers, foot soldiers and cavalry
fail
-Rumour spreads William has died. He takes
his helmet off to prove he’s alive.
-Normans use feigned retreat. Some of
Harold’s army chase them and get
surrounded.
-Harold, Gyrth and Leofwine remain a t the
top but become heavily outnumbered and
are killed
Why did William win? -Tactics (feigned retreat) which broke shield
wall
-William leadership (e.g. crossing channel
with horses, building castles)
-Harold’s leadership (e.g. Rushing from
north to south without waiting in London)
-Luck (Hardrada’s invasion, changing wind)
