Medieval Britain

1066 - 1485

The Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons

Edward the Confessor (1016-1066)

Reign, marked by peace and prosperity

Built Westminster Abbey After his death in 1066 -

four claimants to the throne:• Edgar the Atheling• Harold Godwilson;• William of Normandy• Harald Hardrada

The Norman Conquest

14 Oct 1066 – the Battle of Hastings. William the Conqueror invades Britain;

25th Dec 1066 - Duke William of Normandy was crowned king of England

The Tower of London was built 1086 - The Domesday Book –

the first national census – was completed

The Tower of London

The Battle of Hastings - reenactment

Norman houses

Wattle and daub huts with thatched straw roofs

Changes, brought about by the Normans

Strict feudal system was introduced; Royal justice administration was enhanced; Links with the church were tightened to strengthen

the central government A string of stone castles was built; Trade (especially wool export) boosted; The Parliament was formed; The Magna Carta was signed by King John The basis of the modern English language was set

Motte and Bailey Castles

Motte - mound or 'clod of earth'

Bailey - enclosure.

Motte and bailey castles restored

Windsor Castle

The official residence of Her Majesty The Queen; The oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world; Open to visitors

The Magna Carta and the Parliament

1215 – King George was forced by the barons to agree to Magna Carta, which gave more power to the nobility;

The Parliament:• In Anglo-Saxon times – the Witan;• After the Norman conquest – the Great Council,

consisting of nobles and churchmen;• 1258 – the name Parliament was adopted (from the

French word parler), non-noble representatives included;

• Fully developed as an institution by Edward I

Scotland, Wales and Ireland

Scotland – remained politically independent; the Lowlands became partly normanized, the Highlands retained their Celtic language and traditions

Wales – by the end of the XIII century – under the direct rule of the English king, but retained its language;

Ireland – its eastern part was controlled by Anglo-Saxon lords, who gradually adopted the language and lifestyle of local people

A series of separate wars, lasting from 1337

to 1453 between two royal houses for the

French throne, which:

► gave impetus to ideas of both French and English nationalism;

► saw the introduction of new military weapons

and tactics

The War of the Roses (1455 – 1485)

The Lancaster family – the red rose The York family – the white rose Ended in 1485, when Henry VII defeated and

killed Richard III The Tudor dynasty (descendants of the Duke

of Lancaster) came into power, bringing a long period of stability and prosperity

Thanks for your attention!

Next time:

Henry VIII and his six wives

Bloody Mary the Virgin Queen

the Spanish Armada defeated

… and much more.