unit 1- conquest

• who were the 4 contenders to the throne in 1066

  • Harold Godwinson
  • Harald Hadraga
  • William of Normandy
  • Edgar Aethling
• why did harald hadraga think he should get the crown

  • his father had an agreement with previous king so he feels he also as the right
  • experienced ruler (king of norway)
  • experienced fighter
  • had support from Tostig Godwinson
• why did Harold Godwinson think he should get the crown

  • king's brother in law
  • powerful family in england
  • says King Edward told him that he should become king
• why did William of Normandy think he should get the crown

  • experienced ruler
  • edward the confessor was raised in normandy and when experienced rebellions there, william used his soldiers to help him
  • says king edward promised the throne to him
• what are housecarls

  the King's professional soldiers
• thegns

  Lords that were called to fight
• fyrds

  ordinary people called to fight when needed
• why was William's preparations so slow to invade England

  • many normans thought it was too risky
  • had to call his lords to bring knights from normandy and beyond
  • didn't have ships so ordered hundreds to be built
  • prepared castles to be made quickly once landed in England
• what happened during the battle of stamford bridge

  • vikings landed in York and made Earls Edwin and Morcar surrender
  • Harold and his army marched North within a week
  • Harold's army caught Vikings by surprise
• why did Harold Godwinson win the Battle of Hastings

  • Caught Vikings by surprise
  • vikings were split into 2 by a river
• what happened during the Battle of Hastings

  • winds had changed meaning William landed in Pevensey whilst Harold was up north
  • harold and army travelled south within 4-5 days
  • harold and army paused at senlac hill and next morning William and his army found them
• what was Harold's formation

  • 6-7000 troops
  • housecarls at front with shield wall
  • fyrd behind carrying axes
  • thegns behind with swords and javelins
• what was William's formation

  • 6-7000 troops
  • archers
  • foot soldiers behind with swords and shields
  • cavalry behind
• how did Norman strengths help William win the Battle of Hastings

  • had cavalry which was more powerful
  • had archers meaning they could shoot from long distances
  • received papal banner which meant god was on their side
  • william was an experienced ruler and had experienced army
• how did Saxon weaknesses help William win the Battle of Hastings

  • tired from battle and travelling south
  • only had infantry (foot soldiers)
  • inexperienced
• how did luck help william win the battle of hastings

  • winds changed meaning William could get to england
  • harold was killed during battle meaning Saxons had no direciton
• What did William do after he won the Battle of Hastings

  • Many English lords did not surrender to him
  • He attacked many cities such as Romney, Canterbury and Winchester to gain control
  • Soon english earls such as Edwin and Morcar surrendered to William as they were scared
  • William was crowned king
• How did William deal with powerful lords

  Allowed english lords to keep their land and titles if they swore loyalty to him. However land of those who died at Hastings was given to his Norman soldiers making sure he had full control in England
• What happened at the Harrying of the North

  • A rebellion that started in York Which was supported by scottish kings and the Vikings
  • William paid off the Vikings to return to Norway
  • William burnt all fields to stop crops being grown showing his power as it caused many people to starve