KEY PEOPLE

• KING HAROLD

  A powerful earl from a prominent family, Harold was no stranger to the political intrigues of 11th century Europe, becoming a vocal opponent of the Normans during the reign of Edward the Confessor.  Harold was a capable military man and in his short reign, faced his adversaries head-on. 

  
• DUKE WILLIAM

  William was the descendant of Viking raiders and fought with the ferocity of his ancestors to secure his position in Normandy in the years leading up to 1066.  A cousin of Edward the Confessor’s, William’s claim to the English throne was based on kinship and Edward’s alleged nomination of him as his heir. 
• EDITH OF WESSEX

  Wife of Edward the Confessor and sister to King Harold, Edith was destined to experience loss and personal turmoil in 1066, experiencing first the death of her husband, then her brothers.  A member of the influential Godwine family and well-educated, few women had as much power in 11th century England as Edith.

  
• MATILDA OF FLANDERS

  Matilda was a much sought-after-bride in the 11th century.  She initially refused the hand of the illegitimate William of Normandy, but eventually relented and they went on to have a successful and happy marriage.  Matilda was left in control of Normandy during William’s campaign in England.

  
• SAXON FYRDSMAN

  England had no standing army in the 11th century but the King could call upon experienced men during times of war.  These men fought in the Fyrd, which following established English practise, fought on foot and relied on a strong shield wall for defence. 

  
• NORMAN KNIGHT

  The Normans were an adventurous breed and travelled regularly across Europe in search of wealth and power.  For a knight during 1066, England was a land of opportunity and a place to make a small fortune; perhaps if he demonstrates particular aptitude during the campaign, he will be rewarded with his own land by William. 

  
• SAXON FARMER

  How did the events of 1066 affect the ‘common’ people of England?  Would they even care who was on the throne, as long as they were left to their own business in peace?  God-fearing Saxon farmers had a hard life; protecting their family and securing a plentiful harvest were their greatest concerns. 

  
• MONASTIC CHRONICLER

  This Monastic chronicler is accompanying William during his invasion, as the Papacy had condemned Harold as a sinner.  He sees the events of 1066 as being of divine purpose and champions William’s quest most ardently. The Chronicler has an agenda but he is a man of God – how will he justify what is sure to be a hard and bloody year for both sides?

  
• The greatest change introduced after the conquest of 1066 was the introduction of the feudal system. Norman feudalism was different from the Anglo-Saxon system in one important way - King William owned all of the land. William could now decide who to lease the land to.

  
• Earl Man of great influence who ran his own area of the country or ‘earldom’.
• Illegitimate - Born outside of marriage.
• Sub-regulus - A deputy king
• Witan- A group of leading earls and churchmen
• Aethling - Of noble birth
• Post Obitum - A designation or bequest of a throne
• Novissima Verba - To be promised the throne upon a deathbed
• Mobilise - Getting troops ready to go and fight.
• Coronation - Crowning of the next monarch (King/Queen).
• Fyrd - Ordinary, peasant soldiers.
• Housecarls - Professional soldiers within Harold Godwineson’s army.
• Feigned retreat - Pretending to retreat and then turning back on your opponents. This weakened the opponents defensive wall.
• Infantry - Soldiers on foot
• Regent - Someone who rules the country in absence of the monarch.
• Stigand was a controversial Archbishop of Canterbury because he also held on to being Bishop of Winchester, to hold more power (pluralism). The Pope was opposed to Stigand, but William kept him in his position until 1070.

  
• Although Odo was an ordained Christian cleric, he is best known as a warrior and statesman, participating in the Council of Lillebonne. He funded ships for the Norman invasion of England and is one of the very few proven companions of William the Conqueror known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

  
• After three major battles in 1066, Duke William of Normandy was crowned King William I of England. 1066 was the beginning rather than the end of the Norman conquest of England. William had to fight hard to protect his kingdom from English rebels and the Welsh and Danish armies that supported them.

  
• Harold Godwinson was the Earl of Wessex and the most powerful noble in England at the death of Edward the Confessor. He became King Harold II of England but lost the Battle of Hastings to William, Duke of Normandy. Who was Harold Godwinson's family? Harold was part of the powerful Anglo-Saxon Godwin family.

  
• In 1066 Edward the Confessor, King of England, died childless leaving no direct heir. He had strong connections to Normandy where Duke William had ambitions for the English throne. In England, Edward had had a longstanding rivalry with the powerful Earl Godwin.Who was Edward the Confessor? King of England from 1042 – 1066. First English king after 25 years of Danish rule. Father was King Ethelred the Unready.

  
• Edwin and Morcar led a revolt against William of Normandy in 1068. The causes of Edwin and Morcar's revolt can be split into personal causes that annoyed Edwin & Morcar. However, there were things that William did that annoyed more nobles and local peasants.