1
Edexcel GCSE History - Anglo-Saxon
and Norman England| Latest Update
2025/2026 Questions and Answers
| 100% Verified
Explain how Edward the Confessor’s death created a succession crisis in 1066.
He died without a clear heir and left mixed messages—so Harold, William, and others all
thought they had a claim.
Analyse why Harold Godwinson was able to become king after Edward’s death.
He was powerful, already in England, had the Witan’s support, and claimed Edward
promised him the throne.
Assess the reasons why William felt justified in invading England in 1066.
He said Edward promised him the crown, Harold had sworn an oath to support him, and he
had the Pope’s backing too.
Evaluate how well-prepared the English were for the Battle of Hastings.
They fought hard, but were tired from marching south and had no archers or cavalry—unlike
William.
, 2
How far was luck responsible for William’s victory at Hastings?
Luck helped (like Harold’s army being tired), but tactics like the feigned retreat and his
mixed army were more important.
Explain the importance of Stamford Bridge in the Norman conquest.
It weakened Harold’s army just before Hastings and made it easier for William to beat him.
To what extent was the English fyrd a weakness for Harold in 1066?
The fyrd was poorly trained and part-time—they couldn’t match William’s knights and
archers.
Assess how William used fear and violence to take control after 1066.
The Harrying of the North showed he’d crush resistance—burning villages and killing
livestock so no one could fight back.
Analyse the role of castles in helping the Normans maintain power.
They were quick to build, used to control areas, intimidate locals, and defend against
rebellion.
How significant was the Domesday Book in controlling England?
It let William know who owned what—useful for taxes and spotting threats. It showed total
control.
, 3
Explain the main reasons for Anglo-Saxon resistance between 1067–71.
People hated Norman rule—loss of land, harsh treatment, and William’s foreign supporters
led to uprisings.
Assess how William dealt with Hereward the Wake’s rebellion.
He used force and bribery, got help from local lords, and took back Ely—showing he’d stop
rebellion quickly.
How important were earls in Anglo-Saxon government before 1066?
They controlled huge areas, raised armies, and kept order—but sometimes they got too
powerful.
Explain how the feudal system helped William stay in control.
Land was given in return for loyalty—everyone owed something up the chain, ending with
William.
Assess how land ownership changed under William.
Most English lords lost land—William gave it to Normans, so loyalty stayed with him.
Evaluate how effective the Norman legal system was in controlling people.
Forest Laws and trials helped control behaviour—but they were often harsh and unfair to the
English.
, 4
Explain how the Church helped William control England.
He replaced English bishops with loyal Normans and used the Church to back his rule.
Analyse the reasons for the Revolt of the Earls in 1075.
The earls were angry about losing power and land—they also thought William was distracted
in Normandy.
How did William respond to the Revolt of the Earls?
He acted fast, got help from loyal nobles, and crushed it before it spread. The rebels lost land
and power.
How did William deal with problems when he was in Normandy?
He left trusted regents in charge, like Lanfranc. He also made sure castles and laws kept
people in line.
To what extent did Anglo-Saxon society survive under Norman rule?
Some things stayed—like shires and local courts—but most power and land shifted to
Normans.
Explain the significance of the Harrying of the North.
It showed William’s brutality, destroyed northern resistance, and scared others from rising
up.
Edexcel GCSE History - Anglo-Saxon
and Norman England| Latest Update
2025/2026 Questions and Answers
| 100% Verified
Explain how Edward the Confessor’s death created a succession crisis in 1066.
He died without a clear heir and left mixed messages—so Harold, William, and others all
thought they had a claim.
Analyse why Harold Godwinson was able to become king after Edward’s death.
He was powerful, already in England, had the Witan’s support, and claimed Edward
promised him the throne.
Assess the reasons why William felt justified in invading England in 1066.
He said Edward promised him the crown, Harold had sworn an oath to support him, and he
had the Pope’s backing too.
Evaluate how well-prepared the English were for the Battle of Hastings.
They fought hard, but were tired from marching south and had no archers or cavalry—unlike
William.
, 2
How far was luck responsible for William’s victory at Hastings?
Luck helped (like Harold’s army being tired), but tactics like the feigned retreat and his
mixed army were more important.
Explain the importance of Stamford Bridge in the Norman conquest.
It weakened Harold’s army just before Hastings and made it easier for William to beat him.
To what extent was the English fyrd a weakness for Harold in 1066?
The fyrd was poorly trained and part-time—they couldn’t match William’s knights and
archers.
Assess how William used fear and violence to take control after 1066.
The Harrying of the North showed he’d crush resistance—burning villages and killing
livestock so no one could fight back.
Analyse the role of castles in helping the Normans maintain power.
They were quick to build, used to control areas, intimidate locals, and defend against
rebellion.
How significant was the Domesday Book in controlling England?
It let William know who owned what—useful for taxes and spotting threats. It showed total
control.
, 3
Explain the main reasons for Anglo-Saxon resistance between 1067–71.
People hated Norman rule—loss of land, harsh treatment, and William’s foreign supporters
led to uprisings.
Assess how William dealt with Hereward the Wake’s rebellion.
He used force and bribery, got help from local lords, and took back Ely—showing he’d stop
rebellion quickly.
How important were earls in Anglo-Saxon government before 1066?
They controlled huge areas, raised armies, and kept order—but sometimes they got too
powerful.
Explain how the feudal system helped William stay in control.
Land was given in return for loyalty—everyone owed something up the chain, ending with
William.
Assess how land ownership changed under William.
Most English lords lost land—William gave it to Normans, so loyalty stayed with him.
Evaluate how effective the Norman legal system was in controlling people.
Forest Laws and trials helped control behaviour—but they were often harsh and unfair to the
English.
, 4
Explain how the Church helped William control England.
He replaced English bishops with loyal Normans and used the Church to back his rule.
Analyse the reasons for the Revolt of the Earls in 1075.
The earls were angry about losing power and land—they also thought William was distracted
in Normandy.
How did William respond to the Revolt of the Earls?
He acted fast, got help from loyal nobles, and crushed it before it spread. The rebels lost land
and power.
How did William deal with problems when he was in Normandy?
He left trusted regents in charge, like Lanfranc. He also made sure castles and laws kept
people in line.
To what extent did Anglo-Saxon society survive under Norman rule?
Some things stayed—like shires and local courts—but most power and land shifted to
Normans.
Explain the significance of the Harrying of the North.
It showed William’s brutality, destroyed northern resistance, and scared others from rising
up.
