Chapter_4_The_Normans

William the Conqueror
• William
– crowned William I – at Westminster Abbey in London – on December 25, 1066 – the first Anglo-Norman king of England
All the coronation ceremonies have been held in the Westminster Abbey ever since.
• Henry
– crowned himself 3 days later in Westminster Abbey – Henry I (1100-1135)
Henry I (1100-1135)
• Married twice • Two legitimate children
– William
The Influence of the Norman Conquest
2. A much stronger control over the country by the Rome-backed Catholic Church – replaced English bishops with Normans – made himself head of the bishops – replaced the Witan with the Grand Council of his new tenants-in-chief
The Influence of the Norman Conquest
3. French culture flowered on the English soil. – French as the official language – coexistence of three languages: French, Latin and Old English, which later developed into “Middle English” – The king’s court at London was a chief center of French civilization.
Coronation of King William
The Influence of the Norman Conquest
1. A firmly established feudal system
– compelled all the sub-vassals to take oaths of loyalty to him directly as well as to their immediate overlords – put the administration of justice under the control of the king
William the Conqueror’s Sons
• What Willim Granted to Histhe eldest, the Normandy homelands
– William Rufus (ruddy complexion)
• the second son, England, William II (1087-1100)
1. The Battle of Stanford – Harold defeated Harald Hardrada, the Norwegians.
Background to the Norman Conquest
Two Important Battles
2. The Battle of Hastings (The Norman Conquest) – William defeated Harold. – Anglo-Saxon England perished with Harold’s death.
• Earl Harold
– was declared king by the English – facing double threat of Harald Hardrara and William
Background to the Norman Conquest
Two Important Battles
Map of Normandy
Background to the Norman Conquest
• Edward the Confessor
(1042—1066)
– a pious Christian – rebuilt Westminster Abbey
• known for its Poet’s Corner • the traditional burial ground of the most famous English poets (Chaucer: the first occupant)
Chapter 4
The Normans
Background to the Norman Conquest
• Normandy
– Norsemen from the Scandinavia Peninsula ravaging the northern coast of France – The French king gave the Norse leader a large tract of land in the northern part of France on condition that the Norsemen promised to aid him in war and to accept the Christian religion. – Their country took on the name Normandy. They themselves came to be called the Normans, meaning Northman.
Westminster Abbey 西敏寺
Background to the Norman Conquest
• Edward the Confessor (1042—1066)
– died in 1066 without an heir – three claimants to the throne
• died in a shipwreck
– Matilda
• first married the Emperor of Germany • then Geoffrey, Count of Anjou
After Henry I’s Death
• Steven (Henry’s nephew)
– appointed by the lords to be the King (1135-1154)
– Built castles throughout England
•
Domesday Book 末日审判书
Bayeux Tapestry 贝叶挂毯
Tower of London
• The Norman Conquest
– the last invasion of England by foreigners – a hidden blessing
• Harold — Earl of Wessex, the king’s wife’s
brother, selected by Witan
• William — Duke of Normandy, Edward’s
cousin
• Harald Hardrada — King of Norway
Background to the Norman Conquest
• Anarchy (1138-1153)
– a time of civil war against King Stephen by Matilda
• Steven died (1154) • Henry of Anjou (Matilda and Geoffrey’s son)
– crowned on Dec, 19, 1154 – Henry II – the beginning of the House of Anjou/Plantagenets
The Influence of the Norman Conquest
4. Cultural heritage
– Compiled Domesday Book (A property record) – Bayeux Tapestry
• • • a 50 cm by 70 m long embroidered cloth not an actual tapestry explains the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England as well as the events of the invasion itself e.g. the Tower of London
– Henry
• the youngest, landless, 5000 pounds of silver
William II (1087-1100)
• died during a hunting expetition (August 2, 1100)
William the Conqueror’s Sons