Establishment of Norman Rule in England
Concept Map
The establishment of Norman rule in England by William the Conqueror began after his victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. This period saw the reconciliation with English nobility, resistance from native forces, the Harrying of the North, and the reformation of the English church. Key figures include William the Conqueror, Edgar the Ætheling, and Archbishop Lanfranc. The transformation included castle-building, ecclesiastical councils, and the founding of Battle Abbey.
Summary
Outline
Establishment of Norman Rule in England
William the Conqueror, after his victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, was crowned King of England and set about consolidating his power. He sought to reconcile with the English nobility by confirming the lands and titles of earls such as Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria. To further secure loyalty, he arranged the marriage of his niece, Judith, to Waltheof of Northampton and proposed a union between Edwin and one of his own daughters. Edgar the Ætheling, a claimant to the English throne, was pacified with land grants. The ecclesiastical hierarchy was largely preserved, with the exception of the deposed Archbishop Stigand. Despite these conciliatory measures, the families of Harold Godwinson and his brothers were stripped of their estates due to their opposition at Hastings. In March 1067, William felt secure enough to return to Normandy, leaving his half-brother Odo and his trusted ally William fitzOsbern to govern England. He also retained many Anglo-Saxon sheriffs to oversee local governance, balancing the introduction of Norman officials.Norman Consolidation and English Resistance
During William's absence in Normandy, his rule in England was challenged. Eustace of Boulogne, a former ally, failed to invade at Dover, and revolts flared in Hereford and Exeter, the latter involving Gytha, mother of Harold Godwinson. William's representatives, Odo and fitzOsbern, faced difficulties in maintaining order, prompting a widespread castle-building program to fortify Norman authority. William returned to England in late 1067 and subdued Exeter after an 18-day siege, erecting a castle to secure the city. Harold's sons launched unsuccessful raids from Ireland. By Easter 1068, William was in Winchester, and his wife, Matilda, was crowned queen in May. That year, a rebellion by earls Edwin and Morcar, along with Gospatric of Northumbria, was quelled by William's decisive military campaigns, which included castle construction and forced submissions. William then returned to Normandy, leaving his supporters to oversee the newly built fortresses.The Harrying of the North and Subjugation of Revolts
In 1069, a significant uprising led by Edgar the Ætheling and supported by King Sweyn of Denmark resulted in the capture of York. William responded by symbolically wearing his crown in the ruins of York on Christmas Day 1069, reaffirming his sovereignty. He then negotiated with the Danes and initiated the "Harrying of the North," a ruthless scorched-earth campaign to crush the rebellion. By April 1070, the campaign had ended, and William once again wore his crown at Winchester, demonstrating his unbroken rule. Despite the severity of the resistance, William managed to maintain control, with key figures like Waltheof and Gospatric eventually submitting and retaining their lands.Reformation of the English Church
In 1070, William's rule received papal recognition when he was ceremonially crowned a second time in Winchester by papal legates. This event prefaced a series of ecclesiastical councils that led to the removal of native church leaders, including Stigand, and their replacement with Norman clergy. Lanfranc was appointed as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Thomas of Bayeux became the Archbishop of York, signifying a major reorganization of the English church to align with Norman and continental ecclesiastical practices. William also founded Battle Abbey at the site of his victory at Hastings as an act of penance and commemoration. His control over the church was further solidified at the Council of Lillebonne in 1080, where the autonomy of the Norman church was confirmed.
Show More
William the Conqueror's Consolidation of Power
Reconciliation with English Nobility
William confirmed the lands and titles of earls and arranged marriages to secure loyalty
Retaliation against the Godwinson Family
William stripped the Godwinson family of their estates for their opposition at the Battle of Hastings
Preservation of Ecclesiastical Hierarchy
William maintained the English church leadership, except for the deposed Archbishop Stigand
Norman Consolidation and English Resistance
Challenges to William's Rule
William faced invasions, revolts, and raids from former allies and the sons of Harold Godwinson
Castle-Building Program
William built castles to fortify Norman authority and maintain order in England
Subjugation of Revolts
William used military campaigns and forced submissions to quell rebellions by earls and other leaders
The Harrying of the North and Subjugation of Revolts
Uprising and Capture of York
A rebellion led by Edgar the Ætheling and supported by King Sweyn of Denmark resulted in the capture of York
Harrying of the North
William initiated a ruthless scorched-earth campaign to crush the rebellion and reaffirm his sovereignty
Control and Submission
Despite severe resistance, William maintained control and eventually gained submission from key figures
Reformation of the English Church
Papal Recognition and Councils
William's rule received papal recognition and led to the removal of native church leaders and their replacement with Norman clergy
Appointments of Archbishops
Lanfranc and Thomas of Bayeux were appointed as archbishops, signifying a major reorganization of the English church
Control and Autonomy
William solidified his control over the church and confirmed the autonomy of the Norman church at the Council of Lillebonne
Establishment of Norman Rule in England
Learn with Algor Education flashcards
Click on each Card to learn more about the topic
00
William's reconciliation with English nobility post-Hastings
Confirmed lands and titles of earls like Edwin and Morcar to secure loyalty.
01
William's strategy for integrating Normans and English
Arranged marriage of his niece to Waltheof; proposed union of Edwin with his daughter.
02
Treatment of Edgar the Ætheling by William
Pacified Edgar, a throne claimant, with land grants to mitigate his opposition.
