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Norman England, 1066 to 88
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The Normans reshaped land, Church and government, and recorded their kingdom in the Domesday Book.
Feudalism and the Church
Feudal hierarchy: king, tenants-in-chief (barons and bishops), knights, peasants. Land was held in return for homage and service (knight service, labour service). Breaking loyalty led to forfeiture of land.
Stigand, the English Archbishop of Canterbury, was replaced by Lanfranc in 1070. Lanfranc reformed the Church: Normans in top posts, new cathedrals, Church councils and separate Church courts.
Stigand, the English Archbishop of Canterbury, was replaced by Lanfranc in 1070. Lanfranc reformed the Church: Normans in top posts, new cathedrals, Church councils and separate Church courts.
Norman government
Power was centralised; William used fewer earls. Regents (such as Odo and Lanfranc) ruled when he was in Normandy.
Sheriffs were now Normans and collected revenue. The king's own land was the demesne. Large areas became royal forest, with harsh forest laws.
The Domesday survey was ordered at Christmas 1085 and the Domesday Book was completed in 1086. It recorded who held land and what it was worth, which helped with tax and control.
Sheriffs were now Normans and collected revenue. The king's own land was the demesne. Large areas became royal forest, with harsh forest laws.
The Domesday survey was ordered at Christmas 1085 and the Domesday Book was completed in 1086. It recorded who held land and what it was worth, which helped with tax and control.
Aristocracy and succession
The Norman aristocracy spoke French, built castles and churches, and enjoyed hunting.
Bishop Odo, William's half-brother, was Earl of Kent and a regent, but was arrested in 1082.
William's eldest son Robert rebelled in Normandy (1077 to 80). When William died in 1087, Robert got Normandy and William Rufus became king of England. Rufus defeated a rebellion by Odo and Robert's supporters in 1088.
Bishop Odo, William's half-brother, was Earl of Kent and a regent, but was arrested in 1082.
William's eldest son Robert rebelled in Normandy (1077 to 80). When William died in 1087, Robert got Normandy and William Rufus became king of England. Rufus defeated a rebellion by Odo and Robert's supporters in 1088.
Explain why the Domesday Book was significant.
- It showed who held every piece of land and what it was worth.
- This helped William collect taxes efficiently.
- It also confirmed Norman landholding, showing how complete the Conquest was.
Answer: It recorded land and wealth for tax and confirmed Norman control.
Feudalism: tenants-in-chief, knights, homage, service, forfeiture. Lanfranc replaced Stigand (1070). Sheriffs, demesne, forest. Domesday 1085 to 86. Odo arrested 1082; Robert's revolt 1077 to 80; Rufus king 1087.
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