3.1.1
The Norman Feudal Hierarchy
The Norman Feudal Hierarchy
The Norman Feudal Hierarchy
Feudalism was a hierarchical system. William I declared himself the owner of all England after winning the Battle of Hastings and sat at the top of the feudal system.
The king and his tenants
The king and his tenants
- William I made his supporters and allies 'tenants'.
- William gave his tenants land. You'll remember that his allies in the invasion of England were given Earldoms in the Marcher Earldoms.
- Tenants were expected to be loyal to the king. They were expected to contribute troops, knights and military forces to the king if he asked.
Tenants-in-chief and under-tenants
Tenants-in-chief and under-tenants
- The most important tenants were called tenants-in-chief.
- Tenants-in-chief included lords, barons, bishops, and abbots. (Being part of the Church was an influential position. When William was overseas, the Archbishop of Canterbury often oversaw the running of England).
- The people under the tenants-in-chief were called 'under-tenants'. They were also called vassals.
- Tenants-in-chief would grant loyal supporters land, money and other benefits for supporting them.
- The vassals would pay taxes to their tenant-in-chief and would also fight for the tenant-in-chief if requested.
Peasants
Peasants
- As in Anglo-Saxon society, peasants were the lowest rung in society.
- Vassals would give their peasants a small plot of land to farm. The peasants would give them food produce or pay rent in exchange.
Knights
Knights
- Knights were some of the best soldiers in England. Barons and lords (who were tenants-in-chief in the feudal hierarchy) had to provide knights to the king for 1-2 months of the year. This was called 'knight service'.
- Some knights were members of the nobility and some knights lived like peasants. However, they could all fight.
- William again relied on tenants-in-chief for knights and tenants-in-chief would call on their under-tenants in a cascading hierarchy.
Feudal control
Feudal control
- The feudal system created a cascade of something like ownership. People were obliged to the people above them in the hierarchy.
- Any tenant-in-chief who upset William could have their land and money removed.
- Any under-tenant who upset their tenant-in-chief could also have their land and money removed.
- The act of taking away someone's land or money was called forfeiture.
1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66
1.1Anglo-Saxon Society
1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis
1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne
2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87
2.1Establishing Control
2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance
2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087
2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075
3Norman England, 1066-88
3.1The Feudal System & the Church
3.2Norman Government
3.3The Norman Aristocracy
Jump to other topics
1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66
1.1Anglo-Saxon Society
1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis
1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne
2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87
2.1Establishing Control
2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance
2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087
2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075
3Norman England, 1066-88
3.1The Feudal System & the Church
3.2Norman Government
3.3The Norman Aristocracy
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered