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The Norman Conquest

Britain 1066 1485

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Leelo Kaskmann: history

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Page 1: Britain  1066 1485

The Norman Conquest

Page 2: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 3: Britain  1066 1485

tells the story of the Norman Conquest

is 231 feet long

commissioned by bishop Odo for the Bayeux Cathedral

Page 4: Britain  1066 1485

French and Latin elements predominate in aristocratic circles

Anglo-Saxon elements – among lower classes

French – spoken at court Latin – in the church

Page 5: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 6: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 7: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 8: Britain  1066 1485

MIDDLE CLASSES:

KNIGHTS – soldiers who fought for the lords

MERCHANTS – Britain’s first businessmen, lived in towns

YEOMEN – farmers, owned small pieces of land

Page 9: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 10: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 11: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 12: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 13: Britain  1066 1485

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

schools

Monasteries – leading centres of culture

13th century -- Oxford and Cambridge Universities

Page 14: Britain  1066 1485

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

Page 15: Britain  1066 1485

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