The Economy & Social Structure

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The Economy

England was one of the wealthiest countries in Europe.

Trade and climate

England was one of the wealthiest countries in Europe.
- It had strong trading ties with other countries around the continent.
Trade centred around towns in England.
The climate in England was ideal for both crops and livestock.

Maritime connections

The North Sea connected England to Finland, Sweden, Norway & Denmark (Scandinavia) for trade.
The English Channel connected the country to continental Europe, namely Normandy in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Taxes

The king had a sophisticated system for collecting taxes.
This benefited the crown, the nobles, and the Church, which shared the proceeds from the taxes raised by the king.

Aristocracy and Society

The Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and the society beneath it looked different to the Norman model which replaced it.

Thegns

Thegns were local lords during the Anglo-Saxon era.
Under the Normans, thegns became tenants.
Normans inherited the land when the thegns died, not the thegns’ offspring (children). Thegns who disobeyed their Norman masters had their land taken away.

Peasants

Under the Anglo-Saxons there were a large number of 'ceorls' (free peasants). This group became much rarer under the Normans.
Many peasants did not notice the difference between the years under Anglo-Saxon and then Norman rule.

Slaves

10% of Anglo-Saxons had been slaves. The Normans disagreed with slavery and freed many of them.

Earls

Earls and their earldoms were reduced in importance as they became much smaller.
As tenants-in-chief, earls were now dependent on the king.

1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66

1.1Anglo-Saxon Society

1.1.1The Monarchy & Government

1.1.2Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)

1.1.3The Legal System

1.1.4Local Government

1.1.5The Economy & Social Structure

1.1.6Towns

1.1.7The Church

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Anglo-Saxon England

1.1.9Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon Society

1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis

1.2.1The House of Godwin

1.2.2Harold Godwinson's Succession

1.2.3The Rebellion Against Tostig

1.2.4Edward the Confessor's Death

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Edward the Confessor

1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne

1.3.1William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada & Edgar

1.3.2The Witan & the Reign of Harold Godwinson

1.3.3The Battles of Gate Fulford & Stamford Bridge

1.3.4Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon & Norman England

1.4The Norman Invasion

1.4.1The Battle of Hastings

1.4.2Reasons for William's Victory

1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rival Claimants for the Throne

2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87

2.1Establishing Control

2.1.1The Submission of the Earls

2.1.2Getting Control of England

2.1.3Reasons for Building Castles

2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance

2.2.1The Revolts against William

2.2.2End of Topic Test - William I in Power

2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087

2.3.1Harrying of the North, 1069-70

2.3.2Changes in Land Ownership 1066-1087

2.3.3William I Maintains Royal Power

2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075

2.4.1The Revolt - 1075

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Legacy of Resistance

2.4.3Grade 9 - Legacy of Resistance

3Norman England, 1066-88

3.1The Feudal System & the Church

3.1.1The Norman Feudal Hierarchy

3.1.2The Nature of Feudalism & Forfeiture

3.1.3The Role of the Church in England

3.1.4The Extent of Change to Anglo-Saxon Society

3.1.5End of Topic Test - The Feudal System

3.2Norman Government

3.2.1Norman Government - Regents

3.2.2The Sheriff & the Forest

3.2.3The Domesday Book

3.3The Norman Aristocracy

3.3.1Aristocratic Culture & Language

3.3.2Bishop Odo

3.4William I & His Sons

3.4.1William I

3.4.2William's Death & the Succession

3.4.3End of Topic Test - Norman Government

3.4.4Grade 9 - Norman Government

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