Norman Invasion

The Norman invasion of England in 1066 involved several key battles and military tactics:

Battle of Gate Fulford:

• Harald Hardrada and Tostig marched to York with 10,000 warriors
• Vikings outflanked the English shield wall for victory

Battle of Stamford Bridge:

• Harold Godwinson surprised the Viking army, killing Tostig and Hardrada
• English forces broke through the Viking shield wall

Example: The surprise attack at Stamford Bridge demonstrates Harold's military skill and the importance of timing in medieval warfare.

Battle of Hastings:

• Harold's forces formed a defensive shield wall on high ground
• William used a mix of archers, infantry, and cavalry in his attack
• Norman tactics included the feigned retreat to break the English formation

Key battle tactics in Norman invasion included:

1. Norman use of combined arms (archers, infantry, cavalry)
2. English reliance on the shield wall formation
3. Norman knights' height advantage but vulnerability of horses
4. William's leadership and adaptability in battle

Highlight: The feigned retreat was a crucial tactic that helped the Normans break the English shield wall at Hastings.

Factors contributing to William's victory:

• William's superior leadership and tactical flexibility
• Harold's fatigue from rushing south after Stamford Bridge
• Norman use of archers to weaken the English shield wall
• Luck and timing, including surviving a stormy channel crossing

Quote: "What tactics did William use in the Battle of Hastings? A mix of archers, cavalry charges, and infantry assaults, along with the innovative feigned retreat."

William in Power

After the conquest, William consolidated his power through several means:

Castles:

• Built strong wooden towers for defense and control
• Features included lookouts for archers and gatehouses with drawbridges

Definition: Motte and bailey castles - early Norman fortifications with a raised mound (motte) and enclosed courtyard (bailey)

Rewards and land distribution:

• William claimed all of England's land as his own
• Granted land to followers, creating a new Norman aristocracy
• Controlled borderlands by creating earldoms in Hereford, Shrewsbury, and Chester

Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule continued:

Revolt of the Earls (1068):

• Caused by heavy geld tax and broken promises
• Edwin and Morcar rebelled but eventually surrendered
• Resulted in Normans taking charge of the North

Harrying of the North (1069-70):

• William's brutal response to northern rebellions
• Aimed to destroy resistance and serve as a warning
• Resulted in widespread destruction and famine

Highlight: The Harrying of the North demonstrated William's ruthlessness in dealing with rebellion and had long-lasting economic impacts on the region.

Royal powers under William:

• Centralized control through the Domesday Book
• Reduced power of earls and redistributed land
• Maintained some Anglo-Saxon institutions like the geld tax

Example: The Domesday Book survey helped William assess wealth and resources throughout England, enabling more efficient taxation and governance.

Anglo-Saxon Society

The Anglo-Saxon society pyramid was headed by the king, who was chosen by God and owned all land. Below him were the Witan (royal council), earls, and thegns. Key aspects of Anglo-Saxon rule included:

• The Witan advised the king on law-making and policy
• Earls collected taxes and oversaw law and order in shires
• Religious codes were important, as seen under Edward the Confessor
• Legal system included concepts like wergild and trial by ordeal

Highlight: Edward the Confessor's exile in Normandy would later influence William's claim to the throne.

A significant event was the rising against Earl Tostig in 1065:

• Tostig abused his power as Earl of Northumbria through over-taxation
• Northumbrians revolted and invited Morcar to replace Tostig
• Harold Godwinson agreed to the demands, weakening the House of Godwin

The main claimants to the throne after Edward's death were:

1. Harold Godwinson - crowned in 1066, supported by witnesses
2. Harald Hardrada - Viking leader with a claim through a secret deal
3. Edgar Aethling - descended from King Alfred, but young and inexperienced
4. William of Normandy - claimed Edward promised him the throne

Vocabulary: Witan - the Anglo-Saxon king's council of advisors