British History The Norman Conquest ( 1066 – 1154) British History The Norman Conquest ( 1066 – 1154) Fabio Pesaresi
The Normans
Edward the Confessor dies in 1066 (no children) Claimants to the throne Harold William Harald Hardrada
William the Conqueror 1066 Defeats Harold at the Battle of Hastings
Events in 1066
Bayeux tapestry
William Duke of Normandy crowned king on Christmas Day 1066
► Distributed lands to noblemen but NOT forests and towns but NOT forests and towns ► Permitted to build castles to dominate the lands (White Tower in London)
Feudal system
Feudal duties The socage
Domesday Book (1086) ► to know the state of his realm ► to levy property taxes (geld)
Relationship with the Church ► Business-like relationship with the Church (Peter’s Pence) ► Ecclesiastical courts for the clergy normal courts not influenced by the church
Successors William II Rufus ( ) Henry I ( ) Empress Matilda Matilda Stephen Stephen