Did the Norman Conquest change everyday life?

• How did William effect "Land" for Norman Aristocracy?

  • William initially tried to keep Anglo-Saxon landowners in place, they were too rebellious
  • Before the Norman Conquest, only a few Earls controlled most of the Land. William divided these Earldoms into smaller areas and gave them to many Norman followers to decrease their power against him
  • A new group took over, known as Knights, who were also able to hold land (Historians believe these were the Norman version of Thegns)
• How did William effect "Land" for Peasants?

  Nothing changed except they worked under a different Lord
• How did "New Laws" effect Norman Aristocracy?

  • Financial system stayed the same
  • Trial of Jury was introduced but only Norman Aristocracy could demand this
• How did "New Laws" effect Peasants?

  • New Forest Laws meant Peasants were unable to hunt and supplement their diets
  • Murdrum Fines meant the whole area would have to pay for an attack on a Norman
• How did "Castles" effect Norman Aristocracy?

  • Allowed them to establish control
  • They grew trade and commerce as they became centres for the practice
• How did "Castles" effect Peasants?

  • Would've been intimidated by the sheer speed these structures were being erected
  • They would've lost a lot of their land as it would be seized for the construction of castles
  • Blacksmiths however would've benefited as they would've been within the walls of the Castles - protected from attacks
• How did "Language" affect Norman Aristocracy?

  • French began to be used in Court, in Law, and in Government
  • Latin was still used in religious services
  • As time went on, English and Norman French began to merge into Anglo-Norman
• How did "Language" effect Norman Aristocracy?

  Didn't effect them as they still spoke in English, however over time Norman words were woven into everyday speech