Early-Late Middle Ages: Power in England & France476-1500
Anglo-Saxon & Norman England▪ Kings & lords struggled for power▪ Tried to control nobles
▪ Struggle for power the kingdoms of England & France▪ Kingdoms became supreme
Anglo-Saxon England▪ Germanic tribes moved into the island▪ Culture= “Anglo-Saxon” after two of
the tribes▪ Several independent kingdoms▪ Divided kingdoms into gov’t districts=
shires▪ Governed by a shire-reeve
Alfred the Great▪ 800s, kings of Wessex controlled most of England▪ Challenged by Vikings
▪ 871, Alfred the Great= determined to drive the Danes (Vikings) out
▪ 886, the Danes were exhausted & sued for peace▪ Treaty allowed them to live in parts of England
Danish Rule▪ 900s, successors took more territory▪ Unified the country, & spread Christianity
▪ 1013, Danes gain control▪ 1016, King Canute of Denmark took the throne (England & most of
Scandinavia)▪ 1042, line died out & the Anglo-Saxon nobles chose Edward the
Confessor
Norman Conquest▪ Edward was part Anglo-Saxon & part Norman, died w/out an heir▪ 1066, Duke William of Normandy claimed the English throne▪ Anglo-Saxons refused to recognize his claim, wanted Harold of
Wessex▪ William was determined to win the throne
William the Conqueror▪ He crossed the English Channel w/ Norman knights▪ Defeated the Anglo-Saxon army at Hastings in 1066
▪ William was crowned King▪ Overcame Anglo-Saxon resistance
▪ England combined Anglo-Saxon & Norman cultures
William the Conqueror▪ William ruled from 1066-1087▪ Feudalism▪ King= supreme authority▪ Nobles loyalty to the king▪ Scattered fiefs
▪ Set foundations of a centralized gov’t & strong monarchy
William the Conqueror▪ Sent royal commissioners to all parts of the kingdom▪ Task: to count each shire’s people, assess landholdings, &
measure type & value of property▪ Results= helped set up an accurate, central tax system▪ Records= Doomsday Book
Quick Review▪ How did Anglo-Saxon culture form?
▪ Who is responsible for pushing the Vikings out of England?
▪ How did William the Conqueror receive his nickname?
▪ Explain King William’s improvements on the kingdom throughout his reign.
Activity: Doomsday Book Dialogue▪ Partners▪ Pretend to be feudal lords discussing their opinions of the Doomsday book and William the conqueror.▪ At least 20 lines (10 lines per person)
