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Anglo-Saxon England and Norman conquest - Coggle Diagram
Anglo-Saxon England and Norman conquest
Anglo-Saxon society
SLAVES
10% of population
Could be bought and sold
Used for unpaid labour
Often lived with the family they were owned by
Bottom of society
PEASANTS
Approx 90% of Anglo-Saxon population
Many rented or owned a hide of land to sustain themselves
Completed set amounts of work for local lord (thegn) or faced losing rights to land
Expected to join fyrd in times of war
THEGNS
Local lords/warrior class, around 4,000-5,000 by 1060
Important members of community, owned more than 5 hides of land
lived in local manor house and were expected to gather fyrd (peasant army) and fight in times of war
EARLS
Most important members of the aristocracy, ruled areas of the country on behalf of the king
Relationship with king based on trust and loyalty, the more the king trusted an earl, the more land/power was granted to them
Some earls were powerful enough to challenge or even overthrow the king
KING
Most powerful person in the country, had complete control of: laws, money production, landownership, military and taxation
Anglo-Saxon kings were not hereditary in choosing heirs, but they were elected by the witan, that composed of the most powerful people in the country
King had the country split into earldoms, which were run by earls on his behalf
CEORLS
Free peasants, not tied to any land and could move freely
Often travelled and worked freelance
generally more affluent than regular peasants
Last years of Edward the Confessor and succession crisis
By the end of Edward the Confessor's reign, most of the country was controlled by the Godwin family
Harold controlled Wessex, Cornwall, and the border regions with Wales. Most powerful man in England.
His Brother Tostig controlled Northumbria, he was tyrannical and thrown out in 1064, he felt betrayed as his brothers appeased the king instead of help him
He was replaced by a non-Godwin thegn in a bid by Edward to balance power, Morcar, brother of the earl of Merica.
Brothers Gyrth and Leofwine controlled East Anglia and Essex
Harold went to Normandy in 1064, supposedly to pick up hostages, but Norman sources claim it was to swear loyalty to William Duke of Normandy. Either way, Harold ended up "swearing on sacred oaths" he would help William beach king after his cousin Edward died
Rival claimants for the throne
Harald Hardrada
King of Norway
Weak claim based on agreement between his ancestors
Hardened general and powerful military
Backed by Tostig
William
Duke of Normandy
French-speaking viking
Cousin of Edward Confessor
Strong claim, backed by the Pope, powerful military/general, believed Harold betrayed God by crowning himself
Harold Godwinson
Most powerful man in England
Controlled most of country indirectly
Very strong claim, controlled most of country, backed by Witan, related by marriage to Edward, powerful leader with vast army, backed by people
Claimed Edward chose him on his deathbed
Edgar Aetheling
Nephew of Edward Confessor, closest male relative
Very young, only 15
Weak claim, inexperienced, no military backing, no witan backing, doesn't fight for throne
Norman invasion
Battle of Fulford Gate
Harald, Tostig and Norweigan army land in north of country and take York
Battle between Earls Edwin and Morcar and Harald
Harald wins, lets his guard down and waits for hostages/conditions of surrender
Battle of Stamford Bridge
As soon as Harold hears of invasion, gathers army from south coast and heads north, leaving south undefended
Arrives quickly and catches Norwegians of guard
Harold wins, Harald, Tostig and many vikings die
Harold makes survivors swear never to invade again
Battle of Hastings
Once he hears Harold crowned himself, William immediately prepares an army
Has to wait for change of winds
Sets sail and lands in Pevensey Bay, going on march and pillaging/occupying undefended south
Harold travels south rapidly, leaving his army fatigued
Battle starts very even, shield wall on high ground cannot be broken by Norman cavalry
Normans try feigned retreat, inexperienced ford follows, breaking wall
Normans turn around, win battle, Harold and his brothers killed
William is crowned Christmas day 1066, Norman era begins