Anglo-Saxon England & the Norman Conquest Flashcards
All 36 cards in this deck
What was the Witan?
The council of earls, archbishops and other leading men that advised the Anglo-Saxon king.
Give one reason Anglo-Saxon monarchs were so powerful.
They held huge areas of land and used it to reward loyal supporters or took it away as punishment.
What were shires used for in Anglo-Saxon local government?
They were the units of local government that collected taxes and fines.
True or false? Anglo-Saxon kings had no control over the money supply.
False. Monarchs decided how many silver pennies were made and what taxation was paid.
Why did people believe they had a duty to obey the Anglo-Saxon monarch?
Monarchs were believed to be chosen by God.
What duties did the very poorest villagers owe their lord?
Working a set number of days without pay, handing over a share of all crops, and needing the lord's permission to leave the village.
Which three brothers of Harold Godwinson held earldoms by the 1060s?
Tostig, Gyrth and Leofwine.
How was the House of Godwin linked to the monarchy?
King Edward was married to Edith of Wessex, Godwin's daughter.
What did it mean that Harold Godwinson acted as 'sub-regulus'?
He acted as under-king, running the country as Edward became less interested in government.
Give one reason for the rising against Tostig in 1065.
He placed heavier taxation demands on Northumbria, which as a Danelaw area was used to lower taxes.
What did Harold Godwinson do during the 1065 rising against Tostig?
He agreed with the rebels that Tostig had overstepped his position and refused to lead an army against them.
When did Edward the Confessor die?
5 January 1066.
What was Harold Godwinson's embassy to Normandy (1064)?
Harold's visit to Normandy, during which he fought alongside William's forces and, William claimed, swore to support William's claim to the throne.
What was William of Normandy's claim to the English throne?
He said Edward promised him the throne in return for his support against a rebellion by Earl Godwin, and he had a blood connection to Edward.
What was Harald Hardrada's claim to the English throne?
He argued that Harthacnut, a previous king of England, had promised the throne to Magnus, Hardrada's nephew and the king of Norway before him.
What was Edgar the Aethling's claim to the English throne?
As Edward's great-nephew he had the closest blood tie; 'Aethling' meant 'throne-worthy'.
What support did William of Normandy gain from the Pope?
The Pope backed William, claiming Harold's coronation was unlawful, and gave him the Papal Banner.
Who did the Witan choose as king after Edward the Confessor's death?
Harold Godwinson, crowned on 6 January 1066.
Who fought at the Battle of Gate Fulford (20 September 1066), and who won?
Harald Hardrada and Tostig defeated the earls Edwin and Morcar.
When was the Battle of Stamford Bridge and who won?
25 September 1066; Harold Godwinson defeated and killed Harald Hardrada and Tostig.
Give one reason Harold won the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
His attack came as a complete surprise — the Vikings were not even wearing their chain mail.
When was the Battle of Hastings?
14 October 1066.
What was the 'feigned retreat' at the Battle of Hastings?
A Norman tactic of pretending to flee, then turning around to attack Harold's army.
Which army held the high ground at the Battle of Hastings?
Harold's Anglo-Saxon army, on Senlac Hill.
Give one way Norman troops and tactics helped William win at Hastings.
A flexible force of foot-soldiers, horsemen and archers allowed a range of tactics, including charges by mounted knights.
How did the condition of Harold's army help William win at Hastings?
It arrived tired after fighting at Stamford Bridge and marching about 250 miles south.
Give one way William's leadership helped him win at Hastings.
He fought on horseback, so he could respond quickly and control his troops effectively.
Give one criticism of Harold's leadership at Hastings.
He marched south too quickly, so his army was tired and reinforcements from the south-west could not join him.
True or false? Harold Godwinson became Earl of Wessex after the death of his father, Earl Godwin.
True. Harold succeeded his father as Earl of Wessex, the richest earldom in England.
True or false? Anglo-Saxon kings left all legal cases to local officials and never judged cases themselves.
False. The monarch made the laws and travelled around the country to decide the outcome of legal cases.
Give two powers an Anglo-Saxon earl used on the king's behalf in his earldom.
Any two of: leading his thegns in war for the king; judging cases and keeping order; raising the earldom's taxes for the king (he kept a third to govern and defend it).
Who were the thegns in Anglo-Saxon England?
The local lords and warrior nobility, roughly 4,000–6,000 men, each holding at least five hides of land and expected to fight for their lord.
Give one reason the Church had political influence in Anglo-Saxon England.
Any one of: leading bishops always sat in the Witan, advising the king; very few people could read or write, so churchmen acted as the king's clerks and kept his records.
How did Harold Godwinson prepare to defend England in the summer of 1066?
He kept a very large army on the south coast and a fleet patrolling the Channel, but in September he had to send the fyrd home to bring in the harvest.
Give one reason Harald Hardrada and Tostig won the Battle of Gate Fulford (1066).
While the English pressed forward against Tostig's weaker wing, Hardrada attacked them from the side with his strongest troops; with marshland behind them, the English were driven back into the mud and slaughtered.
Which members of the house of Godwin were killed at the Battle of Hastings?
King Harold and his two brothers, Gyrth and Leofwine.