4. The Normans (1066 A.D. – 1300 A.D.)
Vorlesung
Describe the impact of the Norman Conquest on the British Isles, with special
reference to the way the Normans secured their power.
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Victory of the Normans in 1066 brought fundamental changes to the BI
o Removed England from the Scandinavian influence
o Viking importance becomes less (almost invisible)
A political union with only one Anglo-Norman aristocracy was forming
o William was King of England AND Duke of Normandy -> created
conflicts/tension
o England was like a Norman colony
Colonial character of society
o Loyalty to the King
o Owners of Land change (exchange of Anglo-Saxon elite
Two class society
o Almost no mixing between Anglo-Saxons and Normans
Rise of Feudalism
o William had almost complete control over England
The Domesday Book, 1086
List of all property in England
Basic outline of English economy
o King had to spread the wealth and still magnify his power while gaining
loyalty
Building of castles
o Showed the realities of local Norman power
o Nearly one thousand castles in England
Church
o Local, hereditary priesthood replaced by celibate clergy
o Monastic order
o Normans rebuild the churches after their destruction in a Norman way,
also new religious houses were built
o Catholic Christianity remained
Towns
o New towns and boroughs were established
o Towns mean money: markets in towns (rulers can control the economy)
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Kommentiert [JK1]: lokale, erbliche Priesterschaft ersetzt
durch einen zölibatären Klerus (Geistliche) -
The Norman Empire
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Education
o Institutions of education developed because empire got bigger and
therefore more educated people were needed
Oxford and Cambridge established by 1220
o Flowering of Literature (Genre: Romance)
Conquest of Wales and Ireland (easy for Normans to gain control because of
no union between England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland
Magna Carta
o 1215: King John was forced to sign
o Documented the share of power (King can’t rule alone)
o Gave certain rights to the noblemen
o Starting point of modern democracy
o Symbol of liberty
o 13th Century: first beginning of parliament (assembly of the barons)
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What happened to the English language?
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Mixing of Anglo-Saxon English and Norman French
o English speaking people (Anglo-Saxons)
o French loan words
o French-speaking Elite
Middle English
What is meant by the “Norman Yoke”?
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Complex debate under historians if the Norman conquest was good or bad
for the British Isles
Positive opinion:
o England got modernised
o Closer Connection to Europe
Negative Opinion: “Norman Yoke”
o Oppressing, exploiting impact of Feudalism
o Destruction of English tradition
o Decrease in democracy
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