How much did the Normans change English culture?

New Churches In the period from 1066 to 1100 William built 50 castles and 30 cathedrals and great monastic churches. These served as a powerful sign of the might of the Normans.  It has been estimated that during the Norman monarchy from 1066-1154, there were 7000 Norman churches built in England.  Norman churches have been characterized as powerful, massive and bold.  Unlike the early Romanesque Saxon churches which were tall but narrow buildings with thin walls and limited decoration, Norman churches were wide with thick walls and elaborate carved ornamentation. 

New Hair

New Language Introduced 10,000 words to the English language. After 1066, Norman French became the ruling language of power, while Anglo-Saxon was relegated to a peasant tongue. Words of government and law come from Norman e.g. Parliament, govern, jury, prison, justice. Linguistic division develops in culinary terms (Sheep, pig, cow becomes mutton, pork, beef) William and Richard and Robert replacing Ethelred and Godwin. Introduction of Norman names - While the Normans viciously stamped on insurrection, they never sought to suppress the English language. Anglo-Norman children learned both languages. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLZYnYsAr-w

New ways of hunting Responsible for the creation of an aristocratic hunting culture that saw the introduction of elaborate new hunting rituals, in particular the 'unmaking' Deer were butchered at the kill-spot in a ceremonial and precise fashion. The 'unmaking' saw different parts of the deer carcass gifted to particular individuals: the lord receiving the haunches, one shoulder going to the forester or parker and the other to the best huntsman, whilst the pelvis was left at the kill-site as an offering to the crow. (Not so) Fun Fact: Two of William’s son would die in a hunting accident in the same forest (New Forest) – Richard died in 1075 and William (future William II) died in 1100!

Domesday Book records many vineyards planted in England to produce wine for the new Norman elite. It was such poor quality and that from 1150 onwards it was imported from Bordeaux and La Rouchelle. 11th Century text “Urbanus Magnus” shows some culinary changes the Norman elite brought to England. Spices such as black pepper, garlic and cumin introduced to banquet table. Shows Normans placed a high emphasis on dining table etiquette. It emphasises the need to exercise restrain in eating, speech and bodily emissions. Bayeux Tapestry shows Saxons as uncultured compared to Normans.

Task One Complete the “Norman Cultural Changes” note taking sheet using pp.90 and 91 of the textbook, the video and what your teacher has discussed with you. Challenge Collect a piece of card and cut it up into 9-10 small cards. On each identify a change the Normans introduced to England – try to identify cultural, political, economic and religious changes. Now arrange these in order of importance. Place the most important one at the top. Explain why you think the factor at the top is the most important change. Explain why you think the factor at the bottom is the least important.