History Knowledge Organiser Causes of the Norman Conquest
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History Knowledge Organiser Causes of the Norman Conquest Key individuals Who were the Normans? England before 1066 Earl Godwin In 911, a Viking named Rollo unsuccessfully attacked northern France. Edward the Confessor Despite this, the French king offered Rollo an area of land in north west France, in exchange for his loyalty (allegiance). This area of land became Edgar the Outlaw known as Normandy. Harald Hardrada Harold Godwinson King Edward’s mother was the half sister of Duke Richard II of Normandy, William, Duke of Normandy so Edward brought many of his Norman friends over to England as advisors. This led to conflict with Earl Godwin in 1051. William, therefore was a distant cousin of Edward’s, as well as a close friend and advisor. Key dates 1042 Edward the The rivals for the throne Confessor becomes King of Rules of Edgar the Outlaw- known as the Aethling. England Inheritance The great nephew of Edward. Had the support of many Anglo-Saxon earls. 1052 Earl Godwin is Inherit directly or Harald Hardrada- believed he should be king exiled after a chosen based on prior Viking ownership of English dispute with King crown before Edward became king. Edward Post Obitum- Harold Godwinson- most powerful earl in ‘after death’ England as Earl of Wessex. Was deputy king 5th King Edward the nomination (‘sub-regulus’) in 1060. Claimed Edward January Confessor dies promised him the throne on his deathbed. 1066 Novissima Had the support of the Witan. William, Duke of Normandy- Distant cousin th verba- named 6 Harold of Edward. Claimed Edward had promised January Godwinson heir on deathbed him the throne after helping Edward with the 1066 becomes King of Godwin rebellion of 1051. This was shown in England Use of force the Bayeux Tapestry. KEY VOCABULARY/ TERMS Earl, exiled, housecarl, minting, inherit, allegiance, postobitum, novissima verba, Witan, Aethling, sub-regulus, Bayeux Tapestry History Knowledge Organiser Military Aspects Key dates- 1066 William prepares to invade Battle of Fulford Gate French Support Harold waited for William during Spring and Summer but William had a good relationship with 5 Jan King Edward the had to send the ordinary peasant soldiers (fyrd) home to Confessor dies the King of France. He was the most powerful man in north-west Europe. harvest their crops on 8th September. He had a stable base around 6 Jan King Edward buried and Normandy. Hardrada then invaded with 300 ships, sailing up the river Harold Godwinson Humber and landing near York. Earls Edwin and Morcar led crowned king Support from God the northern army against him in what was known as the William sent Lanfranc to ask for the Battle of Fulford Gate. 8 Sept King Harold has to disband Pope’s blessing. Alongside this, the his fleet and southern Pope also gave him a Papal Banner army ensuring support and a cause of a Both sides suffered great losses but the Vikings triumphed, Holy War. whilst Edwin and Morcar were forced to flee. 20 Sept Battle of Fulford Gate Getting across the Channel He halved his journey to England by Battle of Stamford Bridge moving his fleet to the mouth of the 25 Sept King Harold defeats Harald Defeat at Fulford meant Harold had to move quickly. He Hardrada at Stamford River Somme. marched north with a private army and covered the 190 Bridge Military Prep- the fleet miles in 4 days catching the Vikings by surprise. William built flat bottomed boats that 28 Sept William lands at Pevensey could transport horses. He also built ‘flat pack’ castles which could be put The Vikings were camped on the opposite side of the river up quickly when they landed. 6 Oct King Harold arrives back in Derwent and had not defended it properly. The resulting battle was long and bloody, and saw both Hardrada and London Military Prep- the army William began to mobilise straight Tostig killed. It was said only 24 of the 300 ships returned 11 Oct King Harold leaves London after Harold’s coronation. The Papal to Norway Banner allowed William to recruit men from all over France. Eventually, 14 Oct Battle of Hastings around 8,000 were ready to cross the Harold's victory was short lived as William arrived 3 days English Channel. later on the south coast of England. KEY VOCABULARY/ TERMS Mobilise, coronation, Papal Banner, Holy War, fyrd History Knowledge Organiser Battle of Hastings Who was more prepared? Key dates The Events of the Battle The Anglo- The Began at 9am with a volley of arrows from the Norman archers. This Saxons Normans proved ineffective as they were shooting uphill. Norman infantry then 11 Aug William ready to launch charged but were repulsed by the very effective Anglo-Saxon shield wall. an invasion from Fyrd; 7,000 Mixture of Type/size trained Normandy Some Normans began to run away and the fyrd began to chase after of army mercenaries; 7,000 them leaving their safe position on the hill. These men were easy targets for Norman cavalry and so the n=Normans used this trick 28 Sept William lands at Housecarls Knights Specialist (feigned retreat) to drain numbers from the shield wall. Pevensey; King Harold and thegns troops Norman cavalry then charged in, after midday, which led to heavy marches south casualties on both sides. The feigned retreat tactic was sued again Weapons Hand to Hand to and ate away at the shield wall. 6 Oct King Harold and the and hand hand and armour ranged By 4pm, the Normans began to break through the side of the shield remnants of his army wall and it was at this time that Harold was killed. With this, the Shield wall Various reach London Battle Anglo-Saxon fyrd broke ranks and fled. formation Style Why William won the battle Top of Base of Position in 11 Oct King Harold leaves battlefield Senlac Hill Senlac Hill William’s Strengths London, choosing not Harold very William very Highly trained, well prepared and well rested Previous to wait for 30,000 experienced experienced army. experience reinforcements, and Harold’s Weaknesses Exhausted Well rested marches to meet State of Tired and weakened force after previous after march William the army battles and a long march. Witan and King Philip I Luck 13 Oct King Harold reaches the Extra some of France Change in weather delaying William tied in with South Downs support brothers and the Pope Hardrada’s invasion in the north. KEY VOCABULARY/ TERMS Mercenary, thegn, shield wall, feigned retreat History Knowledge Organiser Establishing and maintaining control Key dates Key individuals After Hastings 25 Dec- William crowned King of 1066 Archbishop Stigund . England Been a bishop since 1043 and advised King Edward and Godwin. Made Archbishop of both Canterbury and Mar- William returns to Normandy; Winchester. William removed him from his position for unrest in Herefordshire and Wales corruption in 1070. 1067 Dec- William returns to England; King Malcolm III of Scotland distributes land in areas of potential King od Scotland 1058-1093. Gave protection to rebellious Anglo-Saxons. Invaded northern England but upon defeat rebellion to loyal barons had to accept William as his overlord in 1072. He rebelled and was killed at the Battle of Alnwick in 1093. Rebellions in the south west Hereward the Wake Siege of Exeter by William 1068 Believed to be the son of the Earl of Mercia. Made an outlaw Earls Edwin, Morcar and Edgar the by King Edward as he was uncontrollable. Became an Aetheling flee north English hero after rebelling against the Normand in Eats Anglia. Rebels burn Norman Earl Robert of Commines to death in Durham. It Rebellions against the spreads to York. The Harrying of the North Normans Vikings invade 1069 Revolts in Dorset, Somerset, In January 1069, Norman Earl Robert of Commines was Staffordshire and Cheshire murdered by English rebels and Edgar the Aetheling had King Malcolm of Scotland marries attacked the city of York. Alongside this, Vikings had invaded Edgar’s sister, Margaret in the Summer, joined with the English army and captured the ‘Harrying of the North’ castle at York after defeating a Norman army. 1070 Unrest in East Anglia 1072 Scotland invades northern England William paid for the Vikings to leave and laid waste to the areas around York, burning and salting the fields and killing all 1075 Revolt of the Norman earls living creatures. It was recorded that 80% of Yorkshire became uncultivated and unpopulated. Last English earl, Waltheif killed 1076 Scottish raids in Northumbria KEY VOCABULARY/ TERMS Fortifications, treasury, negotiation, siege, ravaging, regent, Harrying, Danelaw, salting, outlaw, guerilla, fenlands History Knowledge Organiser Feudalism and government Key dates The Feudal System Key individuals Robert of Mortain 1068 Fyrd used to Before the Norman invasion, England was ruled by the King and his earls William’s half brother. Supplied ships for William’s deal with (aristocracy). Their form of feudalism was based no lordship and patronage. invasion of England and given 20 counties of land The Norman feudal system was based on favour and reward. as a reward. Helped William run Normandy. rebellion at Exeter This system was based on give and take and William FitzOsbern was similar to what already existed in England. Distant cousin of William. A loyal soldier, steward 1075 Fyrd used to However, land (fief) ownership remained with and close friend to William, he was given lands all over the south of England. deal with William himself who used the nobles (barons/tenants-in-chief) to run (administer) the Rebellion of country. Peasants (villeins) worked in the fields. King William II Norman Earls In this way, everyone knew their position in the Known as William Rufus (red), he forced King social hierarchy.