How important was the Church to Norman England?

POWER TO THE CROWN (WILLIAM I) Marcher ealrdoms Normans replacing Anglo-Saxons Land holdings (fiefs) reduced in size. Appointment of sheriffs. Homage Forfeiture Feudalism/knights Control of coinage POWER TO THE CROWN (WILLIAM I) Geld tax/reliefs

The importance of the Church Advised the king Helped create laws Wrote up writs Controlled the royal seal Archbishops acted as King’s representative in negotiations (e.g. Lanfrance during 1075 revolt) At first William kept Anglo-Saxons in the Church (e.g. Ealdred, Archbishop of York crowned him) but after the rebellions they were all replaced by Normans.

“Normanisation” of the Church Lanfranc’s reforms to church brought very rural churches under Church control. In 50 years, every Anglo-Saxon churches knocked down and replaced with Norman architecture. Workers in church remained, but all important positions replaced by Normans. Bishops preached how God favoured the King. 25% of land went to Church, so loyal Norman bishops were given it to hold. Church leaders should be appointed by the Church, not Earls. St Aiden statue, Lindisfarne Priory, Holy Island

St Mary’s Parish Church, Breamore, Hampshire – Anglo Saxon

St Albans Cathedral, Hertfordshire - Norman

Key decisions were approved by William. All new bishops did homage to William. Church leaders would lose land if they failed their duties to the King. The Church paid William taxes for the land he gave them. William appointed new bishops.

Learning Tasks Pp. 79-80, “Comparing the roles of Stigand and Lanfranc” & “Lanfranc’s reform of England” Target – 4, 5 Create two profiles – one for Lanfranc and one for Stigand. For each bullet point what powers they had. What are they overall differences between them? Target – 4, 5 Describe some of the key changes Lanfranc made to the Church in Norman England. Target – 9,8,7,6 “The role of an Archbishop had much more power in Norman England than in Anglo-Saxon England” Assess how valid this statement is. Target – 9,8,7,6 In what ways did Lanfranc’s reforms strengthen the Church in Norman England?

Homework – Monday 30th January On target/one below - In what ways did the “Normanised” Church make William more powerful? Two or more below – redraft one part of that exam question.