medieval (1000-1485)

• Who was the king chosen by?

  The Witan
• Who was the Earl of Wessex?


  The biggest land owner in England and was often made king
• How did people see the king?

  As the defender of the countries
• What was the job of the king?

  To raise armies and to produce laws to help him govern the country
• Why was the relationship between the king and the noblemen and churchmen important?

  For a successful running of Anglo-Saxon England
• Who would the king give land and influence to?

  Important nobles and churchmen - they would give him loyalty and troops for an army, and govern the shires for the king
• What did the Anglo-Saxon England have by 1000?

  An efficient administration and trade was prosperous
• What was England divided into?

  Shires
• What were shires divided into?

  Hundreds
• What did hundreds have?

  Its own law courts and would provide the king with an army needed
• What did the thegns carry out?


  Carry out administration for the king
• What was England famous for by 1000?

  Coinage
• How did the Anglo-Saxons kings try to defend England against the Vikings?

  By paying them Danegeld
• What did Alfred the Great manage to do?

  Bring relative stability to England and the Vikings settles in the north and east - this area became known as the Danelaw
• What did Aethelred find difficult?


  Maintaining good relationships with some of his subjects
• What did local lords believe about Aethelred?


  He could not protect England from Viking raids
• What did the Witan advise Aethelred to do with the Vikings in 991?

  Pay Danegeld, however they returned in 994 with the hope of being paid again
• What order did Aethelred give in 1002?


  That all Danes living in England should be killed
• What did the king of Denmark do in 1013?

  Sweyn Forkbeard - led a full-scale invasion of England and Aethelred went into exile
• What happened when Sweyn Forkbeard died?

  1014 - English nobles asked Aethelred to return to the throne
• When did Aethelred die?

  April 1016
• Who took over after Aethelred die?

  Cnut conquered England in October 1016
• What did Cnut do when he took over?

  Executed several Anglo-Saxon nobles and gave their lands to his loyal followers, but most Anglo-Saxons were allowed to keep their land
• How did Cnut divide England?

  Four earldoms: Northumbria, East Anglia, Mercia and Wessex
• What happened throughout Edwards reign?

  Godwin (Earl of Wessex) caused problems

  - 1051, went into exile when his sons failed to overthrow Edward
• When did Godwin return to England?

  1052 and was successful - Edward was forced to back down and Godwin effectively became the ruler of England
• Who took over Wessex after Godwin died?

  Harold Godwinson was crowned by the Witan as they wanted a strong leader to defend the country
• Who were allegedly promised the role when Edward the Confessor died?

  Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy
• Who was another claimant to the throne after Edward died?

  Harald Hadrada
• What was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

  Hadrada attacked the north of England causing Harold Godwinson to march to the north to meet him and defeat him
• What was the Battle of Hastings?

  William landed in the South unopposed. Harold rode back to the South and gathered a new army - Harold was defeated
• When was William crowned King of England?

  25 December 1066 after defeating another claimant (Edgar Atheling)
• How did Williams treatment of the rebels become harsher over time?

  1096 - Harrying of the North: killed all rebels
• Why did the Normans build castles?

  To show their permanent presence - they were garrisoned and used to control the surrounding area
• What was feudalism?


  Land which was taken from the English thegns given to those who were loyal to William
• Who did the Normans replace?

  Sherriffs, bishops and abbots
• Why did William compile the Domesday Book?

  So that he could organise more efficient systems of taxation
• Why did Henry I imprison his brother?

  Because the barons preferred Robert
• What did Henry I do to win the barons over?

  His Coronation Charter of 1100 made some concessions
• What did Henry II do to win the barons over?


  He did not impose harsh taxes and would often forgive rebellious barons