Anglo-Saxon England

Year 7 Autumn Knowledge Organiser for History – What was Britain like before 1066? Skills and Introduction to History Anglo-Saxon England - Overview Introduction to History – Key Terms • The Anglo-Saxons were pagans and arrived in England just Significance – The impact, importance and meaningfulness of a after 400 AD. person or event in History. Significance can be short term (immediate • They ruled England until 1066 AD. impact) or long term (has effects many years, or even centuries, later). • The early settlers kept to small tribal groups, forming kingdoms and sub-kingdoms. • By the ninth century, the country was divided into four Continuity – When things stay the same, in one way or more, over kingdoms - Northumbria, Mercia, East Anglia and Wessex. time between different eras. The aspects of history that don’t change. • Only Wessex survived many Viking invasions. • In 954 AD England was eventually united under one Anglo- Saxon King and converted to Christianity. Chronology- Time order, from earliest to latest. • Pagans worshiped lots of different gods. Anglo-Saxon England – Key Terms Historian – An expert who has studied an aspect of history in great Witan – Advisors to the king. From rich important families. depth and detail. They often share their findings and ideas through books, articles or documentaries. It is common for historians to Earl – Heads of important rich families. They looked after large disagree with each other about aspects of the past. areas of land called earldoms. Thegn – Local land owners. Source – A piece of evidence that tells us (and historians) about a particular aspect of the past. Ceorls – Ordinary villagers. Thralls – Slaves (usually law breakers, those with debts they are Interpretation – A particular viewpoint or opinion about an aspect of unable to pay or prisoners of war). the past. Interpretations can differ between people and historians. Monk – A man who dedicated his life to God and worship. They usually cut themselves off from the outside world, living in monasteries. Cause – The reasons why something happened in the way that it did at that time. Chronicle – Official diaries written by monks. They could be about history, religion, politics, towns, gossip, kings or even weather. Consequence – An effect of an action or event that happened in the past. Year 7 Autumn Knowledge Organiser for History – The Norman Conquest Norman Conquest - Overview Battles of 1066 – Key Terms • In 1066, King Edward the Confessor died. Battle of Fulford – Battle between English Earls and Harald • He had no children, and no clear heir to the throne. Hardraada in the North, shortly after Hardraada’s invasion. The • There were three main contenders who believed that they English were defeated. 20th September 1066. were the rightful king. Battle of Stamford Bridge – Harold Godwinson marched North • A series of invasions and battles took place. This resulted in to challenge Hardraada and Tostig. Vikings were without armour. the Battle of Hastings. William of Normandy defeated Harold Godwinson’s men won – Hardraada killed in battle. 25th Godwinson to become king. • 1066 was the last time a foreign ruler successfully invaded September 1066. England. The Normans brought with them many changes to Battle of Hastings – The battle between Harold Godwinson and the way people lived in England. William of Normandy. 14th October 1066. Harold Godwinson was defeated. William became king. It took place at Senlac Hill. Housecarls – Godwinson’s professional soldiers. They fought with a double ended axe. Approximately 2500. Contenders to the Throne – Key People Fyrd – Godwinson’s mobile army. Approximately 6000 (many Edward the Confessor – The Anglo-Saxon King of England who were untrained peasants). died in 1066 leaving no clear heir (person to inherit) to the throne. Knights – William’s trained soldiers on horseback. Approximately 2000. Harold Godwinson – An Anglo-Saxon Earl from a powerful Archers – 1500 of William’s soldiers armed with bows and family in Wessex, England. He was married to King Edwards's arrows, alongside 6500 foot soldiers. sister. Some sources suggest he was promised the throne by Edward on his deathbed. Reasons for William’s victory at Hastings Harald Hardraada – Viking King of Norway. He was the descendant of a previous Viking King in England. Bloodthirsty - All of William’s men were trained soldiers warrior. - William’s men had horses – Harold’s didn’t - William believed God was on his side and he told his men this Tostig Godwinson – Brother of Harold Godwinson. Supported of - Harold Godwinson died on the battlefield – possibly because of Harald Hardraada. being shot through the eye with an arrow - William’s men tricked Harold’s three times by pretending to William of Normandy – Duke of Normandy, France. A distant retreat cousin of Edward. Previously promised the throne by Edward - Harold’s men were tired - they had previously fought Harald years before his death. Hardrada's men and had to march a long way Year 7 Autumn Knowledge Organiser for History – The Norman Conquest Feudal System Domesday Book The 'feudal system' is the name for a power structure where In 1086, William sent out surveyors to every part of England, with people held their land in return for promising loyalty, known as orders to list: doing homage, and providing services such as working or fighting How much land was there? for their lord. The rank order was: Who had owned it in 1066, and who owned it now? KING What was the place like, and who lived there? BARONS (LORDS) How much it was worth in 1066 and how much now? KNIGHTS The survey was unpopular – people felt they were being unfairly PEASANTS judged (Domesday means ‘day of judgement’). The findings were In return for distributing pieces of land, the king ruled and recorded in a protected the country, the barons supplied an army of knights book. when there was a war (or 40 days service a year) and the peasants did all the work. Stone Castles Motte and Bailey Castles The wooden defences of motte and bailey castles were replaced by walls and towers of stone. • It is believed that as many as 1000 Motte and Bailey Castles The methods of attacking and besieging castles improved over were built in England by the Normans. time and so became a need for stronger, more durable (longer • The most important part of the Motte and Bailey castle was the lasting) defences. Even though timber was strong against spears Keep. It was built on a huge mound (the motte). The sides of and arrows, fire could render it useless. Shortly after the the motte were so steep that it would have been impossible to Normans invaded England, they began building rectangular stone run up them in one go. keeps. • For added protection, a deep ditch was dug around the bottom Harrying of the North of the motte. • Inside the bailey lived the followers of the Lord who ran the castle. There were many buildings inside the bailey including The biggest rebellion against William was in the north of England stables, storehouses, bakeries, kitchens, houses, and quarters in 1069. William defeated the rebellion but he still didn't trust the for soldiers. A strong wooden fence (palisade) surrounded the English people. In the north-east of England, from 1069 to 1070, buildings. he ordered villages to be destroyed and people to be killed. • The bailey was surrounded by a ditch, Herds of animals and crops were burnt. Most people who called a fosse. survived starved to death. Not only was the population reduced by 75% but land was salted (poisoned) to prevent people growing crops in the future..

Load more