Normans part 1 – Conquest & Control
How did England change under Edward the Confessor?####brought stability, forged links with
Normandy
How did Edward the Confessor bring stability?####he had a long reign, increased prosperity
Who reigned before Edward?####Danish Canutes - short, unstable reigns
How long was Edward’s reign?####1042 - 1066
How was prosperity increased?####wool industry grew, traded all over Europe, through flourishing
capital - London
Eg: England’s prosperity####rebuilding Westminster Abbey
However, (stability)####struggled to control Earl Godwin & sons
Eg: Godwins’ rebellions####defied Edwards orders even after marriage to Edith Godwin
What was Earl Godwin’s nickname?####subregulus
Therefore it is clear, (stability)####The stability Edward brought has longevity but also fragility
How did Edward forge links with Normandy?####he grew up there, brought Normans to England
Why did Edward grow up in Normandy?####He went to his mother’s homeland to protect him from
the Danish Canute (ages 13 - 40 )
Eg: Normans brought to England####Robert of Jumieges was Archbishop of Canterbury
However, (links w/ Normandy)####English nobles resented power and influence of Normans
Eg: English noble’s resentment of Norman favourites####1052: Godwin replaced Robert de Jumieges
with English Stigand
Therefore it is clear, (links w/ Normandy)`####Edward’s Norman connections had potential to
destabilise England rather than strengthen it
What was important about the death of Edward the Confessor?####lack of clarity of succession,
multiple claimants
Why was there no clear successor?####no direct male heir, complex A-S tradition
Why was there no direct male heir?####pious lifestyle inc. celibacy
What were the 4 factors succession was based on in A-S tradition?####relationship to King
‘novissima verba’ desireable qualities support of Witan
Def: ‘novissima verba’####dying wishes that had overriding power
Eg: Desireable qualities####experience, wealth
Def: Witan####a council of important people in England to support the King
However, (succession crisi)####Edward tried to avoid succession crisis → ‘commended the Kingdom
to Harold’s protection’ - novissima verba
, Therefore it is clear, (succession crisis)####Although Edward’s death inevitably destabilised the
Kingdom he tried to rectify it beforehand
Who were the 4 claimants to the throne?####Edgar Æthling Harald Hardrada William of Normandy
Harold Godwinson
However, (multiple claimants)####Witan tried to solve issue → appointed Harold Godwinson
Therefore it is clear, (multiple claimants)####Edward’s death didn’t prevent the throne being passed
to a capable successor.
Edgar Æthling - claim to the Throne####closest blood relation
Harald Hardrada - claim to the throne####Canute’s son promised Harald predecessor was his heir →
England was party of Hardrada’s inheritance
William of Normandy - claim to the Throne####distant relation promised throne by Edward and
Harold Godwinson close to Edward in his time in Normandy
Harold Godwinson - claim to the Throne####related (bro-in-law) promised throne via novissima
verba
Edgar Æthling - qualities as a leader####was 14 → none
Harald Hardrada - qualities as a leader####King of Norway for 20 years military experience e.g
member of Varangian Guard had support of influential English Tostig Godwinson
William of Normandy - qualities as a leader####Duke of Normandy for 30+ years had to defend title
→ military experience
Harold Godwinson - qualities as a leader####Earl of Wessex for 8 years seasoned warrior had
support of Witan known as ‘subregulus’
Edgar Æthling - issues with claim####14 → no experience or resources
Harald Hardrada - issues with claim####never directly promised throne his ally, Tostig, was exiled
William of Normandy - issues with claim####illegitimate - (aka William the bastard) Edward’s
promise overidden by novissima verba Harold Godwinson’s oath taken in support of William not
throne
Harold Godwinson - issues with claim####not a blood relation of Edward
When was Battle of Fulford Gate?####20th September 1066
Who fought the BoFG?####Hardrada vs Edwin & Morcar
Who won the BoFG?####Hardrada
What were Hardrada’s strengths in his preparation for BoFG?####no one expected him to press
claim → element of surprise → arrive @ Riccal (10 miles from York) w/ no opposition
What were Edwin & Morcar’s weaknesses in preparation for BoFG?####had to respond quickly →
engaged fyrd left York
What were Hardrada’s strengths in his personnel?####300 ships10,000 men
Who were Hardrada’s army for BoFG?####trained fighters w/Danish axes, chainmai
How did England change under Edward the Confessor?####brought stability, forged links with
Normandy
How did Edward the Confessor bring stability?####he had a long reign, increased prosperity
Who reigned before Edward?####Danish Canutes - short, unstable reigns
How long was Edward’s reign?####1042 - 1066
How was prosperity increased?####wool industry grew, traded all over Europe, through flourishing
capital - London
Eg: England’s prosperity####rebuilding Westminster Abbey
However, (stability)####struggled to control Earl Godwin & sons
Eg: Godwins’ rebellions####defied Edwards orders even after marriage to Edith Godwin
What was Earl Godwin’s nickname?####subregulus
Therefore it is clear, (stability)####The stability Edward brought has longevity but also fragility
How did Edward forge links with Normandy?####he grew up there, brought Normans to England
Why did Edward grow up in Normandy?####He went to his mother’s homeland to protect him from
the Danish Canute (ages 13 - 40 )
Eg: Normans brought to England####Robert of Jumieges was Archbishop of Canterbury
However, (links w/ Normandy)####English nobles resented power and influence of Normans
Eg: English noble’s resentment of Norman favourites####1052: Godwin replaced Robert de Jumieges
with English Stigand
Therefore it is clear, (links w/ Normandy)`####Edward’s Norman connections had potential to
destabilise England rather than strengthen it
What was important about the death of Edward the Confessor?####lack of clarity of succession,
multiple claimants
Why was there no clear successor?####no direct male heir, complex A-S tradition
Why was there no direct male heir?####pious lifestyle inc. celibacy
What were the 4 factors succession was based on in A-S tradition?####relationship to King
‘novissima verba’ desireable qualities support of Witan
Def: ‘novissima verba’####dying wishes that had overriding power
Eg: Desireable qualities####experience, wealth
Def: Witan####a council of important people in England to support the King
However, (succession crisi)####Edward tried to avoid succession crisis → ‘commended the Kingdom
to Harold’s protection’ - novissima verba
, Therefore it is clear, (succession crisis)####Although Edward’s death inevitably destabilised the
Kingdom he tried to rectify it beforehand
Who were the 4 claimants to the throne?####Edgar Æthling Harald Hardrada William of Normandy
Harold Godwinson
However, (multiple claimants)####Witan tried to solve issue → appointed Harold Godwinson
Therefore it is clear, (multiple claimants)####Edward’s death didn’t prevent the throne being passed
to a capable successor.
Edgar Æthling - claim to the Throne####closest blood relation
Harald Hardrada - claim to the throne####Canute’s son promised Harald predecessor was his heir →
England was party of Hardrada’s inheritance
William of Normandy - claim to the Throne####distant relation promised throne by Edward and
Harold Godwinson close to Edward in his time in Normandy
Harold Godwinson - claim to the Throne####related (bro-in-law) promised throne via novissima
verba
Edgar Æthling - qualities as a leader####was 14 → none
Harald Hardrada - qualities as a leader####King of Norway for 20 years military experience e.g
member of Varangian Guard had support of influential English Tostig Godwinson
William of Normandy - qualities as a leader####Duke of Normandy for 30+ years had to defend title
→ military experience
Harold Godwinson - qualities as a leader####Earl of Wessex for 8 years seasoned warrior had
support of Witan known as ‘subregulus’
Edgar Æthling - issues with claim####14 → no experience or resources
Harald Hardrada - issues with claim####never directly promised throne his ally, Tostig, was exiled
William of Normandy - issues with claim####illegitimate - (aka William the bastard) Edward’s
promise overidden by novissima verba Harold Godwinson’s oath taken in support of William not
throne
Harold Godwinson - issues with claim####not a blood relation of Edward
When was Battle of Fulford Gate?####20th September 1066
Who fought the BoFG?####Hardrada vs Edwin & Morcar
Who won the BoFG?####Hardrada
What were Hardrada’s strengths in his preparation for BoFG?####no one expected him to press
claim → element of surprise → arrive @ Riccal (10 miles from York) w/ no opposition
What were Edwin & Morcar’s weaknesses in preparation for BoFG?####had to respond quickly →
engaged fyrd left York
What were Hardrada’s strengths in his personnel?####300 ships10,000 men
Who were Hardrada’s army for BoFG?####trained fighters w/Danish axes, chainmai
