Norman government Flashcards

All 7 cards in this deck

How did William I change the use of earls after the Conquest?

He appointed far fewer earls and gave them less land and power, so government was centralised in the king's own hands.

What was the role of the sheriff in Norman England?

A royal official in each shire who collected taxes and royal revenues, enforced royal justice and managed the king's land in the shire.

What was the royal demesne?

The land held directly by the king, whose rents were paid straight to the monarchy.

What was the 'forest' introduced by William I?

Large areas of land reserved for the king's hunting, protected by severe forest laws with punishments such as blinding for poaching.

What was the Domesday survey (1085–86)?

A survey recording who held every piece of land in England and what it was worth, so that people could be taxed correctly.

Why did William I need regents to govern England?

As Duke of Normandy too, he spent long periods across the Channel (up to three-quarters of his last ten years), so trusted men such as Odo, William FitzOsbern and Lanfranc ruled England in his place.

What prompted William I to order the Domesday survey at Christmas 1085?

The threat of a new Danish invasion: he needed to know what his tenants-in-chief held, and how many knights and how much tax England could provide.