Britain 1066 1485

The Norman Conquest

The Norman king William I crosses the channel

The Battle of Hastings Anglo-Saxons are defeated,

king Harold II dies The Normans crush resistance

in the rest of the country

tells the story of the Norman Conquest

is 231 feet long

commissioned by bishop Odo for the Bayeux Cathedral

French and Latin elements predominate in aristocratic circles

Anglo-Saxon elements – among lower classes

French – spoken at court Latin – in the church

1. Their fellow countrymen in France

England & France – almost one country

Numerous wars – esp. the Hundred Years War (1337-1431)

The battle of Agincourt Joan of Arc England -- separate from France

2. Their Scottish, Irish, Welsh neighbours

Attempts to conquer Scotland unsuccessful

11th century – Henry II sends an army to Ireland – not very successful

End of 13th century – resistance in Wales broken

FEUDAL SYSTEM – strict distinction between classes

KING – most powerful Owns land, leads the army, makes

laws ARISTOCRACY: BARONS AND LORDS – have

absolute power in their territories

MIDDLE CLASSES:

KNIGHTS – soldiers who fought for the lords

MERCHANTS – Britain’s first businessmen, lived in towns

YEOMEN – farmers, owned small pieces of land

LOWER CLASS: VILLEINS or SERFS – are given land to

work, but don’t own any; most produce goes to the lord

SLAVES – 1/10th of the population, are owned by the lord

POLITICAL POWER belongs to the KING:

gives land, grants privileges, levies taxes

Domesday Book (1086)– the first census lists names of landowners and their land

MAGNA CARTA – 1215. King John agrees to consult a council of the aristocracy.

In 1240, the council is called a “parliament”

In 1349, the Council of the Commoners is formed

Dynastic conflicts – Wars of the Roses – end in 1471 – the House of York winning the war

The greatest power after the king and the nobles

11th century – king controls the Church, appoints bishops

12th century – conflict between Church and State

The murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury

Majority of people illiterate 11th century -- the Church set up

schools

Monasteries – leading centres of culture

13th century -- Oxford and Cambridge Universities

Economically -- a developing country Merchants traded in wool and textiles Lived in towns London – a busy trading centre Many Anglo-Saxon laws in force New laws by Normans – Common Law

Life very hard 95% of people live in the country Land – major source of food Increasing population – not enough

food Disease widespread Black Death – bubonic plague – 1348 1/3 of the population dies