3.4 Normandy in 1065

• What is a feudal system?


  land for loyalty
• How was 'France' ruled?

  • King of Franks ruled most of it, had much less power than English Kings

  • Most of land was ruled on Kings behalf by dukes or counts, promised to lend their armies and given fiefs (land in return)
• What was the strongest fief?

  Normandy
• How did the Norman military remain powerful?

  • dukes/counts built private armies by giving their supporters weapons and armour

  • invention of stirrups made cavalry fighting possible

  • knights became part of feudal system, swearing loyalty to dukes/counts to recieve land in return

  • knight took as much tax and rent from people who lived on their land

  • knights built castles
• What was Norman church like?

  • Viking settlers were pagan but when new King came in Normandy converted to Christianity

  • monks and nuns praised for their devotion and quality of teaching, as well as their religious art and music

  • Norman churchs were larger and finer, even in small towns they had stone churches

  • Normans built in 'Romanesque' with clean lines and elegant rounded arches
• What happened in 1035?


  Duke of Normandy died leaving title to 8 year old William
• What happened after the death of the Duke of Normandy?

  • William was to yung to rule, title given to lords

  • Knights grabbed what land and power they could, leaving Normandy unstable

  • lords in Williams place were killed, so William had to learn who to trust
• What happened in 1047?


  a full scale revolt
• How was the 1047 revolt dealt with?

  • William took charge and asked King of Franks to help

  • He was merciless and regained control of the duchy

  • He married Matilda of Flanders, a power neighbouring country