British HistoryBritish HistoryThe Norman The Norman

ConquestConquest

( 1066 – 1154)( 1066 – 1154)

Fabio PesaresiFabio Pesaresifpesaresi@alice.itfpesaresi@alice.it

The NormansThe Normans

Edward the Confessor Edward the Confessor

dies in 1066dies in 1066

(no children)(no children)

Claimants to the throneClaimants to the throne

Harold William Harald Hardrada Harold William Harald Hardrada

William the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror

10661066

Defeats Harold Defeats Harold

at the at the

Battle of HastingsBattle of Hastings

Events in 1066Events in 1066

Bayeux tapestryBayeux tapestry

WilliamWilliam

Duke of NormandyDuke of Normandy

crowned kingcrowned king

onon

Christmas Day 1066Christmas Day 1066

►Distributed lands to noblemenDistributed lands to noblemen

but NOT forests and townsbut NOT forests and towns

►Permitted to build castlesPermitted to build castlesto dominate the landsto dominate the lands(White Tower in London)(White Tower in London)

Feudal systemFeudal system

Feudal dutiesFeudal duties

The socage

Domesday BookDomesday Book(1086)(1086)

►to know the state of his realmto know the state of his realm

►to levy property taxes to levy property taxes (geld)(geld)

Relationship with the ChurchRelationship with the Church

►Business-like relationship with the ChurchBusiness-like relationship with the Church((Peter’s PencePeter’s Pence))

►Ecclesiastical courts for the clergyEcclesiastical courts for the clergy

normal courts not influenced by the churchnormal courts not influenced by the church

SuccessorsSuccessors

William II Rufus (1087-1100)William II Rufus (1087-1100)

Henry I (1100-1135) Empress Henry I (1100-1135) Empress

MatildaMatilda

StephenStephen