Norman Conquest: William I’s Impact on England
The Norman Conquest of 1066
The Witan made the obvious choice, and Harold Godwinson became the new King of England. He marched north to Stamford Bridge, where he battled and defeated Harald Hardrada. Soon after, news arrived of a new threat from the south: William of Normandy. The two armies clashed at the Battle of Hastings (October 14, 1066). Harold died in battle, and William was crowned King in London as William I. The Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events of the battle.
The Norman’s Impact
This conquest was the last successful invasion of England. The Normans succeeded, in part, due to the size of William’s army, estimated at 20,000 men. Within about ten years, all Anglo-Saxon landowners had been dispossessed. All of England belonged to the Normans. It was a brutal invasion; they came to stay. They were also great builders, capable of constructing a castle in 3-4 days. These Motte and Bailey castles were fortifications made of wood (later replaced by stone), situated on a hill (a motte), accompanied by an enclosed courtyard (a bailey), and surrounded by a protective trench. These elevated positions provided a strong defense. The most famous example is the Tower of London (specifically, the White Tower), erected by the Normans to exert control over the capital. Gradually, the Normans became masters of the land.
England as a Feudal Country
England became a feudal country under Norman rule. The basic structure of feudalism is as follows:
- All land, known as feuds, was initially owned by the king.
- The king divided the land among members of the nobility.
- Nobles exploited the land but, in return, had to serve the king (providing soldiers, paying taxes, offering support, and supplying food).
- If a noble died without an heir, the land reverted to the king.
The nobility further subdivided their feuds, a process called subinfeudation, granting land to minor nobility. At the bottom of the hierarchy were the serfs, who were, in most cases, “bound to the land”.
The Domesday Book
Because of this feudal system, the king needed a detailed understanding of the land. The Normans, therefore, compiled a book called the Domesday Book, containing comprehensive information about England. It is a remarkable source of information, but its creation was marked by cruelty. The king’s officers extracted information from the Anglo-Saxon people with brutality, sometimes killing those who lied. This harsh policy explains the book’s name, “Doomsday.”
Language and Culture
William I didn’t speak English, and it became the language of the lower classes. The Normans imposed their language, so the upper classes spoke French and Latin. The Normans also brought their culture, which is why approximately 60% of English words derive from Latin or French. This explains the existence of two words for some concepts. As English was the language of the defeated, there was no formal education in the English language.
The Dual Role of William I
William I held two titles: King of England and Duke of Normandy. Tradition dictated that the Duke of Normandy pay homage to the King of France, but William refused. This refusal marked the beginning of many conflicts, as the nobility was unsure whether to side with Normandy or England, given that both lands shared the same lord.