ANGLO-SAXON SOCIETY (PRE-NORMAN)

The Anglo- came from , Germany and the had been ruled by since 1042, he was an Anglo-Saxon Netherlands; they were -farmers who invaded England king. There were around 2 million people living in England, but few people lived in because they wanted control and land. These fearsome the northern and western parts of the country. England was divided into areas ruled rowed across the North Sea in wooden boats to England and forced by . The main towns were , , Winchester and . London was the tribes in Britain to flee their homes. There were three groups of the biggest town, but it only had 10,000 inhabitants! Life was hard and life people who settled in Britain, which collectively are called the Anglo- expectancy was low. The population was organised into a hierarchy. The king was the Saxons. These three groups were the , and Saxons. Within most important, followed by the church and the earls, then the nobility (rich people a few centuries, the land they had invaded was known as England, who supported the king) and the peasants at the bottom with slaves below them. named after the Angles. The Angles and the Saxon tribes were the Family of the king were known as ‘athelings’. The king’s government was called the largest of the three attacking tribes and so we often know them as Witan, this was made up of the nobility and the king’s advisors. The king and the Anglo-Saxons. For about 150 years the Britons fought the Anglo- earls had around 2,500-3,000 who were professional, well-trained Saxons, but by the year 600 the Britons had either been forced to flee soldiers. The earls could also call on their peasants to fight for them if needed. There to or the West Country and had become slaves. By the year 600 were hardly any castles so England wasn’t very well defended. Britain had been divided into 7 main Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: , , , East Anglia, , Kent and . The Anglo-Saxons were tall, fair-haired men, armed with swords and and round shields. Their other skills consisted of hunting, farming, textile (cloth) production and leather working. Anglo-Saxons were Christians who followed the Roman Catholic religion. The Pope was the head of the Church and lived in the Vatican in Rome. The Church was important in society as it provided rules for living; it was a major landowner; it heard legal cases and set rules on marriage and inheritance. Most villages had a church, which took 10% of what people earned in a year (known as a tithe, meaning ‘a tenth’). The wealth of the churches made England a target for foreign raids by invaders such as . England also had many natural resources which meant that it could establish trade with other countries. King Edward the Confessor had been brought up in , so England had strong trade links with France too. RIVAL CLAIMANTS

Edgar was the closest blood relative and great nephew of Harold was the most important in England as the . He was not a blood Edward the Confessor. Edgar’s grandfather, Edmund relation but he was the King’s brother in law as Edward was married Harold’s sister Edith. The Ironside, was Edward’s half-brother. Edgar and his sister Godwins’ had tried and failed to overthrow Edward in 1051. They were exiled but dominated the had lived with Edward and his wife Edith, since they were witan so they were allowed to return to England just a year later. Godwinson was the richest man small children. He was only 14 years old at the time of in England and was a skilful military leader. He was the Sub-Regulus to Edward, a deputy king who Edward’s death and had no money, no soldiers and no ran England and represented Edward in battle from 1060 onwards. Harold said that Edward had military experience. However, Edgar was an Anglo-Saxon promised him the throne on his deathbed. The witan and the nobility supported Godwinson. and had the support of many earls. ’s son, (Edgar’s dad) had been named as successor by Edward the Confessor in 1056, however, when he returned to England in 1057 he died! William became Duke of Normandy at the age of 7; he became a successful and brutal warrior. He Key Term Definition was a distant cousin of Edward through Edward’s Atheling Family of the king mother, Emma. In 1051, the Godwins’ rebelled Harald was the King of and had ruled for 20 years. against Edward, and William travelled to Sub-Regulus Deputy king: runs the He was a seasoned warrior and his name meant ‘hard England to give his support to Edward and as a country on the king’s behalf ruler’. He had the support of 's brother result Edward promised him the throne. William Tostig who had been an earl in the north of England until said Harold Godwinson had sworn to support his Novissima A verbal promise made his exile. Hardrada was a powerful with a large and claim to the throne in 1064. Harold did not deny Verba during a lifetime successful army, furthermore he was related to King Cnut making the oath but he said he only swore it as Post Obitum After death who reigned in England from 1016 to 1035. It was said he was a prisoner by William and his life was that Hardrada’s father Magnus had been promised the threatened so it wasn’t binding. William had Witan Council of advisers throne by Cnut’s son, . Edward had claimed the proved himself a capable ruler of Normandy and throne while Magnus was away in battle. hoped to expand his power into England. FULFORD GATE AND STAMFORD BRIDGE

Harald Hardrada invaded England in The loss at Fulford meant that King Harold had to move 5th January 1066 – Edward the September 1066 to fight Harold Godwinson quickly to deal with the Viking invasion. Harold had already Confessor dies for the crown. He sailed up the river Humber disbanded the Sothern army earlier in the month, so he 6th January 1066 – Harold Godwinson with 300 ships and landed 10 miles from the moved north with his private army and gathered forces as becomes King of England city of York. Earls Edwin and were he went. The journey of 190 miles was covered in 4 days; Summer 1066 William of Normandy waiting for him with the northern army and he arrived on the outskirts of York on 24th September. lines his troops along the north coast of attempted to prevent the Norwegian forces Harold waited overnight with his troops and on 25th France and Godwinson send troops to from advancing to York. September he entered York and came upon the Viking defend the south coast of England troops at Stamford Bridge who were waiting on hostages. 8th September 1066 – Godwinson sends The Anglo-Saxons had the advantage that the Vikings were the (peasant soldiers) home for the not expecting King Harold to reach York so quickly. harvest rather than guarding the The first battle that took place was at Fulford southern coast th Gate near York on 20 September 1066. Mid-September 1066 Hardrada had an army of around 7,000 and his Vikings attack from the north Vikings, plus Godwinson’s brother, Tostig! and enter the River Humber Godwinson was not at the battle; the Anglo- Hardrada’s army were split either side of the river, and as 20th September 1066 Battle at Fulford Saxon army of 3,500 was led by Edwin and they saw the Anglo-Saxon’s arriving, they fled across the Gate Morcar. Both armies lined up either side of bridge. One brave Viking berserker blocked the bridge to 21st September 1066Harold the beck, which eventually subsided and the protect the Vikings that had already crossed. He killed 40 Godwinson’s army move north from battle began. Hardrada had hidden some of men single-handedly. Eventually the Anglo-Saxons crossed London to Stamford Bridge (190 miles his best soldiers, which were able to sneak the bridge and fought the Vikings. Godwinson won; in 4 days!) round to enclose the Anglo-Saxon army. Hardrada and Tostig were killed. Only 24 of Hardrada’s 300 25th September 1066 Battle at Stamford Hardrada’s army won; Edwin and Morcar ships were needed to return the survivors to Norway. Bridge were forced to flee. The Vikings demanded hostages from the Anglo-Saxon army. WILLIAM’S PREPARATIONS

William expected that he would become king after 1. William was supported by the French in his invasion Godwinson prepared a navy to stop the Edward’s death, as this had been promised to him by of England. William lined his army along the coast of Norman fleet from landing in England. Edward during his lifetime (novissima verba) after Normandy at the mouth of the River Dives he then Godwinson also needed an army. He only William had supported him when the Godwin’s moved his army to the mouth of the River Somme at had a small group of professional soldiers rebelled in 1051. William also said that Harold Valery to make the distance crossing the channel called Housecarls. To prepare for battle, Godwinson swore an oath to accept William as king shorter; the journey was only 20 miles. In the time that Godwinson had to ask his (lords) to in 1064 which was in the presence of Norman they were waiting, William kept his army well-fed. fight for him and to bring the Fyrd noblemen. Harold didn’t deny the oath but he said (ordinary people) with them. Godwinson that he swore loyalty to William personally and not 2. William sent (a leading member of the had raised an army of several thousand by as future king. Godwinson also said he had been church) to Rome to inform the Pope the English Church May 1066. The Housecarls were very forced to swear the oath as he was William’s needed reforming and William was the man to do it. experienced and were well armed. The prisoner at the time after William had rescued Pope Alexander agreed and gave William a Papal Fyrd were not as experienced and were Harold from a shipwreck! Banner, this meant that William had the support of the not well equipped. Also, Godwinson’s Pope in what was now a Holy War. army did not have any cavalry, his soldiers were trained to fight on their feet. He did 3. William built a fleet of 700 flat-bottomed boats that not have any archers either. Godwinson were able to transport horses. He had weapons made prepared for William’s invasion by lining Gonfanon A flag used for signalling manoeuvres and flat-pack castles so that when the arrived his troops along the south coast of Shield Kite shaped, protects left side of body in England they would be able to build castles quickly. England. His navy was also stationed there. However, he disbanded the Horses Specially trained and strong 4. Once William had the Papal Banner he was able to southern troops on the 8th September, recruit men from all over France. Many men joined leaving the coast undefended. Chain mail, conical helmet with nosepiece because they wanted to be part of a Holy War, but Weapons Lane, javelin, sword, mace recruits were also promised land and riches. William recruited an army of around 7,000 men. THE BATTLE OF 1

Harold’s Mistakes William’s Leadership

th The wind had been blowing the wrong direction Harold hurried to face The weather delayed 11 August: William is ready to launch his at the River Dives and this led to the relocation William: he could have William’s invasion. This invasion from Normandy th of the Norman fleet to the River Somme at waited for between 20- demoralised Harold’s soldiers 25 September: Harold fights at Stamford Valery. William eventually landed at 30,00 extra troops from as they stood waiting for an Bridge th on 28th September 1066. During the summer the South-West, but he army that didn’t arrive. 28 September: William lands at Pevensey months Harold had waited in the south with an chose to go straight to and Harold starts to march south th army but when William didn’t come, many of Hastings. 6 October: Harold and the remnants of his the English soldiers were allowed to return army reach London home. Harold himself had travelled North to Harold fought alongside William gained a Papal 11th October: Harold leaves London, face Harada. On arrival, William’s troops the Normans in 1064, and Banner so his soldiers choosing not to wait for 30,000 immediately started building wooden castles was aware of their tactics believed they had God’s reinforcements and marches to meet William and could defend their landing spot. but still used the old blessing to fight and if they 14th October: Anglo-Saxon techniques of died, they went to heaven. the . This boosted morale.

Harold chose to fight on William’s troops were highly King Harold was in York, recovering from the foot rather than organised into divisions with Harold’s army arrived at Hastings exhausted. Bridge, when he heard about horseback, so it was a system of communication. The Normans used archers and cavalry, while William’s invasion fleet landing in Pevensey. difficult for him to William was on horseback so the English relied on foot soldiers and hand- Harold’s armies were exhausted from long communicate with his had more control of his to-hand fighting. William won the Battle of marches and the battles with the Vikings. troops or give orders in the troops and could be more Hastings due to a combination of superior Harold heard news that William and his battle. responsive. tactics, better leadership, the flexibility and Norman forces were attacking villages on the discipline of his troops as well as a little luck. south coast and were making their way to The double invasion William took his time By winning the battle, William cleared the London. So Harold left immediately and occurred during harvest invading, he ensured that the path to become King, but he had much more marched his tired army south to confront the season, which led to had made all the work to do to fully secure the English invading Normans. desertions (people running preparations necessary. kingdom as his own. away) by the fyrd. THE BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2

1. Harold arrived at and organised his 2. The battle started a 9.oo am. The archers 3. After the first Norman attack failed, a section of army in a shield wall formation, a traditional walked up to Senlac Hill and fired a volley of the Norman army ran away from the Anglo-Saxon Anglo-Saxon tactic, at the top of the hill. His arrows. Some of the Norman infantry charged wall. Members of the fyrd ran after them but army was around a mile long and around 7 men up the hill but were blocked by the housecarls. became stuck in the marshy land at the bottom of deep. Harold was among the most experienced The arrows were ineffective, they went over the Senlac Hill. The Normans turned and slaughtered the soldiers were at the front. William’s soldiers heads of the Anglo-Saxons or buried Anglo-Saxons who chased them. Harold panicked, he faced the hill, with archers at the front, themselves into the hill. The shield wall was couldn’t stop his soldiers chasing the Normans as he followed by infantry and cavalry. proving an effective defence for the Saxons. was on foot. His soldiers were breaking ranks!

4. There was a break in the fighting 5. William ordered his cavalry to 6. By 4pm the Anglo-Saxon at midday to allow both sides to charge which led to heavy casualties shield wall was beginning to William won the Battle of Hastings remove their dead and wounded. on both sides. Harold’s troops disintegrate and the Normans on the 14th October 1066. However, William changed his tactics and managed to stay in formation but began to attack and break he was not in control of the rest of moved his archers from the front of the Normans feigned retreat. The through the sides of the wall. England. The country was full of the battlefield to behind the Anglo-Saxons couldn’t resist and Harold was hit by an arrow angry Anglo-Saxons, many of whom infantry. The change in position of chased the Normans again! William and the remaining housecarls were still loyal to the King William the archers meant that, rather than ordered his to dismount and moved into a defensive had just killed. Two powerful Anglo- flying over the heads of the attack on foot. At the same time his position around Harold. Saxon earls, Edwin and Morcar, had housecarls, their arrows hit the archers fired their arrows and the Seeing that Harold had died, not been at Hastings, and there were Anglo-Saxon army squarely and knights and infantry charged at the the fyrd broke ranks and fled. still significant English forces ready to caught them by surprise. Anglo-Saxons. William was victorious. oppose William. CONTROL AFTER HASTINGS

William met little resistance as he Date Event Details moved around southern England. th But his army was repulsed to the 14 October 1066 Battle of The English infantry was broken, William had won the battle. He gave south of London as he tried to Hastings thanks for victory by founding an altar and later an abbey at the place enter it. William had to march known afterwards as Battle. around the city looking for suitable October 1066 Taking of the Following the defeat of Harold at the Battle of Hastings, William made it river crossing points. As he did, he treasury his first priority to gain control of the English treasury. laid waste to the land depriving the Londoners with supplies. William Late October / Early Taking of London William mounted a campaign of devastation in and around London which crossed the Thames at Wallingford November 1066 forced Edgar Atheling to surrender. but at he was met by th a peace delegation including Edgar 25 December 1066 of William, Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England in the Aetheling, Aldred of York, William Abbey. ; bishop of Worcester, 1066 onwards Feudal System All land belonged to the crown. One quarter was treated by William as Walter; bishop of and personal property and the rest was leased out under strict conditions. several other high ranking Earls who accepted William as their new 1067 Land distribution William distributed land to his trusted Norman barons. He was careful to King. was ensure that no one man was given too great an area in any given region. crowned King of England on The estates were also scattered all over the country to easily put down December 25th 1066, Christmas any sign of rebellion against Norman rule. Day, at in London. William's control of 1070 Taxation William used tithes. Under this system, the population had to pay one- England was not complete. In the tenth of their annual increases in profit for the upkeep of the church following years he had to deal with 1070 Power struggle Although William was very religious, he refused to allow church authority several uprisings against him with the Church to be greater than his own. NORMAN CASTLES

Between 1066 and 1086 the Normans built around 500 motte and bailey castles. The Norman castles were built for defence against invaders and to control the Anglo-Saxons. Norman castles Normans needed to build their castles quickly – were primarily built by nobility and symbolised the suppression of Anglo-Saxons. Castles were large sometimes in just a few days so at first they used imposing buildings built to intimidate, bully and to administrate the local area and were a visible earth and wood which were easily available and distinction between the rulers and the ruled. Motte and Bailey castles were easy to build and made use of quick to use. Using this method they could build geographical features, such as hills. Wooden motte and bailey castles were built until 1070. After 1070, Motte and Bailey castles in 2 weeks. Castles were stone keeps were added and by 1100 all new castles were made from stone. part of William’s long term strategy to secure his position on the throne of England. Defeated Anglo Saxons did not want William as their leader and so Normans built castles as bases for offensive patrols in different areas in England – to Pevensey was the first Norman castle, although there were stone remains of a Roman fort there. It was protect Normans from further attack. typical of castles in Norman England and was originally created as a temporary shelter for William and his nobles, to use as a base to launch their invasion of England. Pevensey was seen as the gateway to Britain as it was a coastal location. William used the Roman remains to build his motte and bailey castle. Pevensey developed as an important castle site during the Norman period and beyond.

Castles were built at sites that were strategically important. William personally ordered the building of a number of castles. They were often Nottingham was an Anglo-Saxon town originally named Snottingham. By 1066 Nottingham had around built near an existing town, on high ground and 1,500 inhabitants, which was large for a town at the time. The Normans built Nottingham Castle in 1067 close to a water source. Often land had to be to help secure the route to the north of England. The castle was controlled by the Norman lord William cleared to build houses within the castle grounds. Peverel (believed to be an illegitimate child of William the Conqueror). Between 1150 and 1189 the castle The location of castles was extremely important was rebuilt in stone. The population of Nottingham grew around the castle and two boroughs emerged; as they had to be high enough to see attackers one English and the other, French. Peverel founded the Cluniac Priory of Lenton in 1103 and St. Peter’s coming to allow defence of important routes. Church was also built by the Normans in 1100. REVOLTS 1067-1075

1067 Hereford 1068 1068 Mercia 1069 York 1069 Exeter 1072 1075

Trouble broke out The city of Edwin and Morcar Edgar needed allies in William is once Scotland invades William faced rebellion in Exeter rebelled provided a challenge order to continue his again under attack in from his own Norman when Edric the against William’s to William’s rule. The pursuit of King of from King Harold’s 1070 led by King earls. Wild started a rule. William two earls began to England, he flees to the sons, who landed Malcom III of and Roger de Breteuil revolt with a took back gather allies against North. Edgar attacked in Exeter in the Scotland. had support from a number of control by William and in York and the North of South West and variety of people, this English followers. besieging the Edwin’s land in England became the attacked. included King Philip of Edric was city, Exeter held Mercia. most rebellious area of France who didn’t want supported by the out for 18 days England. Danish Vikings William to become too Welsh princes and then were joined forces with Edgar powerful. This was a and managed to forced to and Waltheof. The joint serious threat to steal property surrender to the English and Danish army William. However, along the King. defeated the Norman William did not deal Herefordshire / forces and captured the with the threat himself, Welsh border castle in York. he left it to his trusted regents, Lanfranc and Odo.

OUTCOME: Edric OUTCOME: The OUTCOME: William OUTCOME: William OUTCOME: The OUTCOME: William OUTCOME: During failed to take King built a acted as quickly as decided to deal with the Norman soldiers assembled his Christmas of that year, control of the castle on the soon as he realised attack in York himself, placed at the troops and marched William had the rebels area highest ground there was danger. He and marched North, as castle after on Scotland and by blindfolded and and left his half led an army swiftly he approached the previous unrest, 1072 King Malcom murdered, Earl Roger brother Robert northwards, stopping Vikings retreated and defeat them and III was forced to sign was imprisoned and of Mortain in in Mercia ensuring no William paid them to force them to the Treaty of Ralph retreated to charge. revolts and then to leave. return to Ireland. Abernethy, this . This was the Northumbria, meant that he last serious threat building castles along accepted William as during William’s reign the way. his and exiled Edgar.

The English earls, Edwin and Morcar, continued to cause The North of England was the most rebellious area, as it saw problems for William in East Anglia. They joined forces with King itself as semi-independent from the rest of the country. Swegn of Denmark and Hereward the Wake, an English (a There was also a large number of people who were of person who owned land). Hereward had a grudge against Danish Viking descent who sympathised with their country William and wanted to dethrone him, the attackers used of origin. Edgar the Atheling came to the North to gain allies guerrilla style tactics in the marshes of East Anglia. in his pursuit to dethrone William. King Malcom of Scotland gave Edgar his support against King William. Malcom had just married Edgar’s sister so was now related to him.

The rebels set up a base on the Isle of Ely, where they built up supplies to survive a siege. The area surrounding the base was Cumin was given the position of . As his army moved north, fenland (marshy) which made it extra difficult for William. He they looted and killed the Northumbrians. As a result, Edgar attacked and 240 made a bridge to cross the fens, but it sank when the soldiers Danish came to support in the summer of 1069. The joint English tried to cross it due to the weight of their armour. William built and Danish army defeated the Norman forces and captured the castle in York. another bridge, but this time the rebels set it alight. William decided to deal with the attack in York himself, and marched North, as he approached the Vikings retreated and William paid them to leave.

The events at Ely did not all go William’s way, however in the end the Monks helped William find a secret route to Hereward; he disappeared and the rebels surrendered to the Normans. This William punished York and the north; he laid waste to vast areas of land, was the last serious thereat to William in England. He was yet to burning and salting the fields and killing any living creature. The face challenges from Scotland as his Norman earls. written in 1086 records that 80% of was known as ‘waste’ which meant it was uncultivated and unpopulated.