britain 1066 1485
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The Norman Conquest
The Norman king William I crosses the channel
The Battle of Hastings Anglo-Saxons are defeated,
king Harold II dies The Normans crush resistance
in the rest of the country
tells the story of the Norman Conquest
is 231 feet long
commissioned by bishop Odo for the Bayeux Cathedral
French and Latin elements predominate in aristocratic circles
Anglo-Saxon elements – among lower classes
French – spoken at court Latin – in the church
1. Their fellow countrymen in France
England & France – almost one country
Numerous wars – esp. the Hundred Years War (1337-1431)
The battle of Agincourt Joan of Arc England -- separate from France
2. Their Scottish, Irish, Welsh neighbours
Attempts to conquer Scotland unsuccessful
11th century – Henry II sends an army to Ireland – not very successful
End of 13th century – resistance in Wales broken
FEUDAL SYSTEM – strict distinction between classes
KING – most powerful Owns land, leads the army, makes
laws ARISTOCRACY: BARONS AND LORDS – have
absolute power in their territories
MIDDLE CLASSES:
KNIGHTS – soldiers who fought for the lords
MERCHANTS – Britain’s first businessmen, lived in towns
YEOMEN – farmers, owned small pieces of land
LOWER CLASS: VILLEINS or SERFS – are given land to
work, but don’t own any; most produce goes to the lord
SLAVES – 1/10th of the population, are owned by the lord
POLITICAL POWER belongs to the KING:
gives land, grants privileges, levies taxes
Domesday Book (1086)– the first census lists names of landowners and their land
MAGNA CARTA – 1215. King John agrees to consult a council of the aristocracy.
In 1240, the council is called a “parliament”
In 1349, the Council of the Commoners is formed
Dynastic conflicts – Wars of the Roses – end in 1471 – the House of York winning the war
The greatest power after the king and the nobles
11th century – king controls the Church, appoints bishops
12th century – conflict between Church and State
The murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury
Majority of people illiterate 11th century -- the Church set up
schools
Monasteries – leading centres of culture
13th century -- Oxford and Cambridge Universities
Economically -- a developing country Merchants traded in wool and textiles Lived in towns London – a busy trading centre Many Anglo-Saxon laws in force New laws by Normans – Common Law
Life very hard 95% of people live in the country Land – major source of food Increasing population – not enough
food Disease widespread Black Death – bubonic plague – 1348 1/3 of the population dies
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