The Norman Conquest (AQA GCSE History: British Depth Study (Paper 2: Section B)): Flashcards
Exam code: 8145
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On what date did Edward the Confessor die?
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On what date did Edward the Confessor die?
Edward the Confessor died on 5th January 1066.
Edward fell ill and slipped in and out of a during the final weeks of 1065.
Edward fell ill and slipped in and out of a coma during the final weeks of 1065.
Why did Edward the Confessor's death leave no obvious heir?
Edward the Confessor's death left no obvious heir because his marriage to Edith produced no children, so he died childless.
Define post obitum.
Post obitum was a solemn promise naming a successor, meaning 'after one's death' in Latin.
Define novissima verba.
Novissima verba was a king naming his successor on his death bed; Latin for 'final words'.
True or False?
There were set rules for succession in Anglo-Saxon England.
False.
There were no set rules for succession in Anglo-Saxon England.
Which of a king's relatives was generally seen as having the strongest claim to the throne?
The relative generally seen as having the strongest claim to the throne was his eldest son.
According to English customs, the novissima verba any promises made before.
According to English customs, the novissima verba overruled any promises made before.
True or False?
According to Norman customs, the post obitum could not be undone once it had been made.
True.
Under Norman customs the post obitum could not be undone or overruled.
Define 'might is right'.
'Might is right' was the idea that the claimant with the strongest army often forced their way to the throne.
Which body was often required to judge the strength of competing claims to the throne?
The Witan was often required to judge the strength of competing claims to the throne.
How many competing claims to the throne caused the succession crisis after Edward's death?
The succession crisis after Edward's death was caused by four competing claims to the throne.
Which earldom did Harold Godwinson control?
Harold Godwinson controlled Wessex, the most important earldom.
From 1060, Harold had helped run the country as , or deputy king.
From 1060, Harold had helped run the country as sub-regulus, or deputy king.
How was Harold Godwinson related to Edward the Confessor?
Harold Godwinson was Edward's brother-in-law, as his sister Edith was married to Edward.
Define ætheling.
Ætheling was the Anglo-Saxon term for 'prince'.
How was Edgar the Atheling related to Edward the Confessor?
Edgar the Atheling was Edward's great-nephew, the closest blood relation to claim the throne.
Why did some earls reject Edgar the Atheling's claim?
Some earls rejected Edgar the Atheling's claim because he was too young (in his teens) and had no powerful relatives to support him.
Of which country was Harald Hardrada king?
Harald Hardrada was king of Norway.
Hardrada earned his name, meaning 'hard ruler', after being King of Norway for years by 1066.
Hardrada earned his name, meaning 'hard ruler', after being King of Norway for 20 years by 1066.
Which of Harold's brothers supported Harald Hardrada's claim?
Harold's brother Tostig Godwinson, who had been sacked as Earl of Northumbria, supported Harald Hardrada's claim.
Why was William of Normandy's blood connection to Edward ruled invalid?
William of Normandy's blood connection to Edward was ruled invalid because William was illegitimate.
Over what was Harold said to have sworn to support William's claim in 1064?
Harold was said to have sworn to support William's claim in 1064 over a holy relic, which made the oath binding according to religious beliefs.
On what date was Harold Godwinson crowned king?
Harold Godwinson was crowned king on 6th January 1066, the day after Edward's death.
After his coronation Harold married , the sister of the powerful Earls of Northumbria and Mercia.
After his coronation Harold married Ealdgyth, the sister of the powerful Earls of Northumbria and Mercia.
True or False?
Harold Godwinson had a blood claim to the English throne.
False.
Harold was Edward the Confessor's brother-in-law by marriage, not a blood relative; his strength was being the most powerful earl in England.
Define housecarls.
Housecarls were the small group of professional soldiers relied on by Anglo-Saxon kings.
Define fyrd.
The fyrd was an irregular army of peasants and farm labourers assembled by the king in an emergency.
Why did Harold Godwinson disband the fyrd in September 1066?
Harold Godwinson disbanded the fyrd in September 1066 because he could not keep the peasants from their fields and needed them to bring in the harvest.
The fyrd were placed on the south coast to defend against the expected invasion from .
The fyrd were placed on the south coast to defend against the expected invasion from William of Normandy.
Roughly how many Viking warriors sailed south with Harald Hardrada and Tostig?
Around 8,000 Viking warriors sailed south with Harald Hardrada and Tostig.
Which two earls led the Anglo-Saxon army against Hardrada's invasion?
The two earls who led the Anglo-Saxon army against Hardrada's invasion were Edwin, Earl of Mercia and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria.
How many Viking ships sailed up the River Ouse in September 1066?
300 Viking ships sailed up the River Ouse in September 1066.
On what date did the Battle of Fulford Gate take place?
The Battle of Fulford Gate took place on 20 September 1066.
Who won the Battle of Fulford Gate?
The Battle of Fulford Gate was won by the Vikings, whose greater numbers led them to victory after the Anglo-Saxons' initial success.
Why did Hardrada take local nobles and their families hostage after taking York?
Hardrada took local nobles and their families hostage after taking York to prevent rebellions, as any uprising would lead to the deaths of the hostages.
Harold's army covered the 200 miles north in less than a week, arriving at York on .
Harold's army covered the 200 miles north in less than a week, arriving at York on 25th September.
Which two leaders were killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
The two leaders killed at the Battle of Stamford Bridge were Harald Hardrada and Tostig.
True or False?
The Vikings were caught by surprise at Stamford Bridge, some without their armour.
True.
Harold arrived quicker than expected and caught the Vikings unready in their camp.
Which neighbouring county did William conquer in 1063 to secure Normandy's southern border?
William conquered the neighbouring county of Maine in 1063 to secure Normandy's southern border.
Why did the King of France pose little threat to William?
The King of France posed little threat to William because he was an inexperienced teenager.
Whom did William send to convince the Pope that the English Crown belonged to him?
William sent Archbishop Lanfranc, his friend and advisor, to convince the Pope that the English Crown belonged to him.
The Pope granted William the , which convinced many people that God supported his claim.
The Pope granted William the papal banner, which convinced many people that God supported his claim.
On what grounds did Lanfranc persuade the Pope to support William?
Lanfranc persuaded the Pope to support William on the grounds that Harold had broken the oath he swore over a holy relic in 1064.
Define mercenaries (in William's army).
Mercenaries were soldiers who were paid to fight.
About how many men assembled to form William's invasion force?
Around 8,000 men assembled to form William's invasion force.
Approximately how many transport ships did William's preparations include?
William's preparations included approximately 600 transport ships.
With no navy, William had around a hundred flat-bottomed boats built to transport the of his knights.
With no navy, William had around a hundred flat-bottomed boats built to transport the horses of his knights.
What pre-fabricated structures did William order to be assembled quickly in England?
William ordered pre-fabricated wooden forts, transported across the water, to be assembled quickly in England.
Where did William assemble and train his forces during the summer?
William assembled and trained his forces during the summer at Dives-sur-Mer.
William moved his fleet north to Saint Valery-sur-Somme, halving the Channel crossing to just miles.
William moved his fleet north to Saint Valery-sur-Somme, halving the Channel crossing to just 20 miles.
True or False?
Bad wind and weather delayed William's invasion fleet from setting sail for several weeks.
True.
The fleet was held up at Saint Valery-sur-Somme by wind and weather.
In which bay did William's invasion force arrive on 28 September?
William's invasion force arrived in Pevensey Bay on 28 September.
On arrival William's forces occupied an old fort in Pevensey before building the wooden fort they had brought.
On arrival William's forces occupied an old Roman fort in Pevensey before building the wooden fort they had brought.
Why was the south of England undefended when the Normans landed?
The south of England was undefended because Harold had moved his housecarls and the fyrd north to defeat Hardrada's Viking invasion.
Where did Harold march first when he learned of William's arrival?
Harold marched first to London, before heading to the South Coast.
How did Harold's army change as he marched south to face William?
As he marched south, new recruits joined the fyrd along the way.
Roughly how many knights on horseback did William's army contain?
William's army contained around 800 knights on horseback.
Define gambesons.
Gambesons were padded jackets worn as armour by William's Norman soldiers.
Harold's army occupied the top of the steep Hill.
Harold's army occupied the top of the steep Senlac Hill.
How did the Battle of Hastings begin at around 9 am?
At around 9 am, William's archers unleashed a volley of arrows at the Anglo-Saxon army.
Which of Harold's brothers fought to the death at the top of Senlac Hill?
Harold's brothers Leofwine and Gyrth fought to the death at the top of Senlac Hill.
What caused the Anglo-Saxons to flee the battlefield?
The Anglo-Saxons fled the battlefield after the death of Harold.
How many horses are believed to have been killed beneath William during the battle?
Three horses are believed to have been killed beneath William during the battle.
True or False?
Luck was an important factor in William's victory at Hastings.
True.
Harold's army had marched hundreds of miles and fought an exhausting battle against the Vikings beforehand.
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