Overview
- Anglo-Saxon England was well-governed through a system of shires, hundreds, and local courts, but the monarchy was elective rather than strictly hereditary.
- The Norman invasion in 1066 replaced the Anglo-Saxon ruling elite with Normans, altered the language of administration (Latin/French), and introduced large-scale castle building.
- The feudal system became more formalized, with William I granting land in return for military service.
- Domesday Book (1086) provided a comprehensive survey of resources for taxation and military planning.
Case study
William I, Duke of Normandy & King of England
Background
- Born around 1028 in Falaise, Normandy
- Became Duke of Normandy in 1035.
- Won the English throne by defeating Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings (14 October 1066).
- Crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066 in Westminster Abbey.
Domestic Policies
- Granted land to Norman nobles in exchange for military service.
- Built strategically castles across England (e.g., the Tower of London) to maintain control.
- Domesday Book (108) was a comprehensive survey to record land ownership, resources, and taxes.
- Replaced Anglo-Saxon bishops with Normans, aligning the Church more closely with royal authority.
Foreign Policies
- Defended Normandy against French expansion under King Philip I.
- Balanced power between England and Normandy
- Suppressed rebellions in England with harsh but effective military campaigns
Impact
- Transformed England’s governance
- Merged Anglo-Saxon administrative systems with Norman feudalism.
- Strengthened royal authority but also sowed resentment among dispossessed Anglo-Saxon nobility.
- Known for stability and centralization, but also brutality in suppression.
Common Mistake
- Describing the Battle of Hastings in detail rather than focusing on the political transformation after 1066.
- Ignoring continuity. Some Anglo-Saxon institutions remained in place.
Tip
- Use the Domesday Book as an example for administrative control in both political and economic discussions.
- Compare pre- and post-invasion governance to show change over time.
Historiography
- David Bates sees William as a pragmatic ruler balancing Norman and Anglo-Saxon systems.
- Marc Morris highlights the cultural and social blending, not just military conquest.
Self review
- Assess the extent to which the Norman Conquest of 1066 transformed the government and society of England.
- Examine the importance of the Domesday Book (1086) for Norman control of England.
- To what extent did the Norman Conquest strengthen the English monarchy?
