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Florilegium urbanum - Saxons and Normans

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Viking and Anglo-Saxon warriors were very similarly equipped, although in each case the more professional of them would have invested in better arms and armour. The greater the amount of worked iron in a weapon or an item of armour, the more expensive it would have been.

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Anglo Saxons frequently engaged in warfare throughout their reign in Britain. First they were pitted against each other as different Anglo Saxon kingdoms vied for greater control and power in England. Later, the Anglo Saxons had to face the Vikings who began raiding England from 8th century onwards.

Although the Anglo Saxons had trading relations with the Continent, the warfare in England and the style of the warriors differed significantly from that of Europe at the time. In the Anglo Saxon society, different types of warriors existed and it was much later, after the battlefield interactions with the Danish Vikings that Anglo Saxons came to have a small number of professional warriors.

Deployment of Anglo Saxon Warriors

The Anglo Saxons didn't have a standing army and any army that was fielded before a battle was led by the king himself. The king was immediately surrounded by a group of warriors closely related to him, usually kinsmen and the lords of his kingdom.

The lords, in turn, came to join the king with their own bands of warriors. Typically, battles were fought between such warriors who comprised solely of the lords and noblemen but in time, other groups such as peasants were also armed to fight on behalf of the King during a battle.

Types of Anglo Saxon Warriors

The most important type of the Anglo Saxon warrior was the lord or a warrior allied to a lord and trained with expensive equipment. Since only richer lords could afford such equipment, they alone could afford to be well-armed in the battlefield and have a band of similarly well-armed followers. The groups of these lords formed the core of the Anglo Saxon army during a fight.

Unlike European armies, the Anglo Saxon armies were nearly entirely infantry and rarely fought mounted. Another type of warrior were the "housecarls" which were a sort of professional army kept by the king and notable lords. The housecarls served as the royal guard, were equipped with sophisticated weapons in which they were diligently trained, and formed a formidable force on the battlefield.

The least effective but more numerous type of Anglo Saxon warriors belonged in the militia called "fyrd". This militia was usually populated with peasants and mercenaries with more rudimentary equipment but advantageous on the battlefield in terms of their numbers.

Weapons of Anglo Saxon Warriors

Anglo Saxon warriors carried different kinds of weapons to the battlefield. Typical was the small javelin which was used as a missile thrown at the enemy lines before the close-quarter fighting. For this purpose, each Anglo Saxon warrior typically carried many javelins. A thrusting spear was used as a more close-combat weapon and was aimed at the head or neck of the opponent.

The royal guard wielded the bearded axe which was heavy and required a lot of training but was effective in attacking the enemy. Although the Anglo Saxon warriors also used swords, these were of limited utility. Once an opponent had been wounded with a spear, the sword was usually used to finish the job.

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Anglo Saxons frequently engaged in warfare throughout their reign in Britain. First they were pitted against each other as different Anglo Saxon kingdoms vied for greater control and power in England. Later, the Anglo Saxons had to face the Vikings who began raiding England from 8th century onwards.

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What is the Definition of a Medieval Knight of the Middle Ages Read more about the Knight Definition >>

The first jousting event took place in France in 1066. Each tournament had rules for the jousting and mêlée competition. Read more about the Knights Jousting >>

A knight's armor became a defining characteristic of Knights in battle, representing the military unit Read more about the Medieval Knights Armor >>

Learn about the Top 10 Most Important Knights of the Middle Ages

Read more about the Top 10 Medieval Knights >>

Becoming a knight required great wealth to buy the expensive armour and weaponry. It also took a great deal of training to become a knight and only the wealthiest members of medieval society were afforded this luxury.
Although non nobles could achieve knighthood it was a rare occurence.
It was possible for lower level members of society to become knights but it was very difficult and uncommon.

Becoming A Knight

The Page Boy

In medieval Europe a page or page boy was classed a being a young nobleman who left home at a very young age (around 7 years) to learn how to become a knight (assisting a Squire) in another royal or noble household.

Commonly a page boy would be under the wing of a Squire who was himself being trained by an established Knight.

The page boy usually became a Squire himself at the age of 14 *he was a page for around 7 years

What did a Page Boy Learn About?

1. Dancing

2. Courtly Manners

3. Games - Learning Chess

4. Heraldry

5. Hunting

6. Music - Playing Instruments, Singing

7. Reading & Writing

8. Warfare & Weaponry

Page Boy Physical Training

Page Boy - Typical Jobs in the Lords Castle or Manor House

At the end of this training a Page Boy would become a Squire around the age of 14 on his journey to becoming a knight.
Learn More about being a Page Boy
The Squire

A succesful page boy would become a Squire, historians also provide evidence that it was also common for knights to start as a Squire without becoming a page.

The Legendary knight William Marshall for example was 12 years of age when he was sent to be trained by a knight for 8 years until around the age of 20 years when he was knighted.

Training was stepped up a level *The Squire now served an established knight and learned his trade directly from him.

Squire - Skills Learned and Honed

1. Horsemanship

2. Grappling *Wrestling *Strength & Balance

3. Weapons Training *Sword *Lance *Maces *Pole Axes

Ground Training Practice on the Pell *Sword and Other Weapons

Mounted Training on the Quintain *Lance and Other Weapons

One - One Sparring *Wooden Swords *Blunted Walebone Weapons

Swordsmanship Practice *Using Smaller Buckler Shield

Participation in Behourds (Spontaneous Mock Fights or Battles)

If a squire was worthy of becoming a knight and had passed all the tests that were given to him during his many years of training, he would be knighted in an elaborate dubbing ceremony, a squire would commonly kneel before the lord of the manor who would tap the squires shoulders with a sword as he was proclaimed a knight.

The Squire would recieve his Sword and Spurs and was now classed as a Knight who was ready to serve his Lord in battle.
Learn more about the Medieval Squire Learn more about Becoming a Knight
Early History of the Medieval Knight

Heavily armed cavalry soldiers have existed since ancient times, however none have captured the imagination as much as the gallant medieval knight in shining armour of the medieval period, the knight gained in popularity and became much more established and defined during the high and late medieval times.

However this type of chivalrous knight donned in a suit of shinning armour did not come into play until around the 14th century, during the earlier periods of medieval times knights commonly wore chainmail and a simple conical helmet of spangenhelm construction.

For centuries Germanic warriors had been mercenaries in the Roman armies that had conquered England, many settled and mixed with the local populations.

After the fall of Rome around c. 476 there was a power vacuum in Europe which resulted in more of these Germanic tribes migrating and settling in England.

In time these tribes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes would join forces to dominate England, they became collectively known as the Anglo Saxons.

The Anglo-Saxons had many stuggles with invaders such as the Vikings who they managed to contain for many centuries. In the 11th century however they would come up against the formidable Norman knights and their leader the Duke of Normandy.

In the 11 century the Normans who were desendants of the vikings invaded England from their base in Normandy (Francia) they conquered and replaced the Anglo Saxon nobility. The Normans brought their ruling class and feudal system with them.

Norman Knights *Conquest of England 1066
Norman knights helped the Norman nobility dominate England for almost a century.
Norman Knights wore simple conical shaped helmets of spangenhelm construction and a chainmail shirt known as a Hauberk, they carried a large kite shield that helped protect the lower body on horseback.
Learn More about Norman Knights
Advancement of the Medieval Knight

It wasn't until later in the medieval period when knighthood became more of a social rank providing a distinction between non-noble cavalrymen (milites gregarii) and the true knights (milites nobiles) In the later medieval period, knighthood was commonly associated with a code of conduct and chivalry.

In medieval knights' history, it was during the high medieval times that knighthood attained the higher social status of note.

This was the era that started when Crusades were fought and various orders of knights such as Knights Hospitaller, Knights Templar, Order of Saint Lazarus, Teutonic Knights, and others took birth. Rules and ceremonies of knighthood were also formed mainly during this age.
Learn more about Crusader Knights
Knights & The Feudal System

In the high medieval period the exact role of the medieval knight became more clear and the following was more established

Medieval Knights were well placed in the Feudal system, they were usually bodyguards or mercenary fighters for wealthy nobility and Kings and often received landholdings for their military services, they could have been granted parts of conquered lands which was divided up or they could have been paid in coins, precious metals or given some other rewards.

Knights & The Code of Chivalry *Vows of Knighthood

Knights all throughout the medieval period had made several kinds of vows. Most of these vows revolved around the common concept which was chivalry.

One famous document that provided historical eveidence of these knightly vows is the Song of Roland. According to the Song of Roland, the Knight's Code of Chivalry included the following Vows.

1. Fear God and his Church

2. Serve the Liege Lord in Valor and Faith

3. Protect the Weak & Defenseless

4. Live by Honor and for Glory

5. Respect the Honor of Women

Learn more about Knights & the Code of Chivalry
Knights Armour *Helmets

Medieval armourers were in a constant struggle against the medieval arms makers and manufacturers, this led to the evolution of medieval armour from the typical chainmail hauberk shirts and open faced helmets worn by Norman knights, to the more sophisticated plate armour with closed helmets that covered the entire head worn by later knights.

Norman Knights from the 11 century wore a simple spangenhelm construction conical shaped open helmet called the 'Nasal Helmet' this was a very popular helmet and variations of it were worn by knights and infantry soldiers throughout the medieval period.

Later medieval knights wore full suits of white armour 'Knight in Shining Armour' that completely protected the body including the hands (Gauntlets) and feet (Sabatons)

Knights in full plate armour also wore closed helmets that totally encased the head such as the 'Great Helm', Bascinet or Sallet helmet.

The most popular helmets amongst medieval knights in early times was the Spangenhlem, in later medieval periods the 'Great Helm', Bascinet or Sallet helmet rose to prominence in that order.

A Knight's full suit of plate armor was custom made and was extremely expensive

A gambeson *Aketon *Padded Jack *Pourpoint *Arming doublet) was worn under heavy plate armour

A gambeson padded defensive jacket could be worn as armour separately, or combined with mail or plate armour

Knight Armor Disadvantages

Knight armor was heavy to wear, a complete suit of plate armor of tempered steel would weigh around *33-55 lb (15-25 kg)

Knight plate armour commonly worn with chainmail and padded garmets was very hot and stuffy

Armour could effect mobility whcould be could be greatly restricted or at least reduced

Heat became a problem in hot countries *This was apparent during the Crusades

Knights Helmets Disadvantages

It was hard to breathe inside a knights helmet small additional holes were made to help with this and Visors added later also helped

Helmets had small slits to stop weapons being able to penetrate but this effected overall visibility

Hearing and all senses were reduced due to the thickness of the metal in closed helmets

Mobility of the head could be restricted or at least reduced

Heat inside the helmet became a problem in hot countries *This was apparent during the Crusades

Learn more about Knights Armour *Helmets
Knights Weapons *Sword *Warfare

Medieval knights were the most important portion of a medieval army on the battlefield, typically a medieval army would first deploy the bowmen and infantry to make a way through the enemy lines.

Once this was done, the knights would launch their charge and sweep across the field to destroy any remaining enemy lines, routing the enemy and forcing it to flee.

In many cases, both sides would agree to honorable combat between one or more sets of knights. The outcome of these combats would then be taken as the outcome of the battle itself.

In such combats, the winning knight would usually capture the vanquished knightly opponent rather than kill him, in order to ransom him later.

A medieval knight was trained in a wide range of weapons. Most significant among these were the lance and the sword. The lance was important for a knight because it helped him counter an enemy knight on horseback.

Favourite Weapons of the Knight

Close Quarters Weapons of the Knight

Once in close quarters, the knight would often use his sword, or in some cases, daggers. Other types of weapons used by a medieval knight on the battlefield included maces and flails.
Learn More about Medieval Knights Weapons
Knights & Tournaments

Medieval knights honed their skills during tournaments which became more advanced as the medieval period progressed.

Mock ground battles and mounted Jousts allowed the perfect enviroment to practice hand to hand combat with the use of swords and other weapons.

Early fights or battles between rival knights and soldiers were called béhourds and could be fought on horseback or on the ground, these early war games lacked the competitive edge and discipline needed to train knights for warfare but these mock battles led to the creation of the more advanced medieval tournament.

This led to the creation of medieval tournaments or tourneys' in which a mock battle called a mêlée and a joust, a one-to-one mounted contest took place.

Around the 11th century, the mêlée and the joust were combined and this created the first medieval tournament, the first tournament of this type was held in France in 1066.
Learn more about Knights & Tournaments
Medieval Knight *Fun Facts

The Knights' Favourite Weapon was his Knightly One Handed Double Edged Sword that weighed about 2 to 3 pounds

The Knights Lance was a very Powerful Weapon with an Incredible Impact Force

Jousting Knights could reach a Speed of 40 MPH - faster than some London Tube Trains

Fighting on piggyback introduced young knights to balancing and mounted combat skills.

A knight is called a "Sir" at the end of the knighthood dubbing ceremony.

A Knight's warhorse the 'Destrier' was armoured and also trained to kill.

End of the Medieval Knight

New powerful crossbow weapons such as the Arbalest were invented that could easily penetrate the Knights armor

Gunpowder weapons such as hand cannons and rifles became more prominent towards the end of the medieval period

Medieval Knights Resources
https://www.medievalchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/one-last-knight-ride-epic-and-powerful-fantasy-music-104021.mp3

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disadvantages of a medieval knight’s armour

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What is the Definition of a Medieval Knight of the Middle Ages Read more about the Knight Definition >> The first jousting event took place in France in 1066. Each tournament had rules for the jousting and mêlée competition.

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Vikings
Fidelity: You should be faithful to God, but also to your friends and comrades.
Discipline: You should live by your own code of honor, not the beliefs of another individual.
Hospitality: You should treat others with dignity and respect and aid the less fortunate, when possible.
Nine Noble Virtues
Nine Noble Virtues
Medieval Knights
Code of Chivalry
Code of Honor
Fear God and maintain his churches.
Serve the liege lord faithfully.
Protect the unfortunate and defenseless.
Assist widows and orphans.
Refrain from offending others.
Live by honor and for glory.
Despise monetary reward.
Defend the welfare of all people.
Time Period: 5th - 15th Century (Middle Ages)
Geographic Range: Europe
Religion: Christianity
Appearances:
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Industriousness: You should be the best at what you do, be it your career or otherwise.
Self-Reliance: While it is fine to have friends, you should also be independent and able to function on your own.
Perseverance: No one is perfect. You should overcome your mistakes and strive to better yourself, when possible.
Vikings were the predecessors of Medieval Knights, known for their raids on the British Isles, France, and other areas of Europe. Vikings practiced a religion called Asatru, which was based on pagan values. Their moral code was based on Nine Noble Virtues, which were written in
their religious text, the Havamal.
Vikings and Medieval Knights, the warriors of two different time periods, both lived by codes of honor. While both were expected to be brave and courageous in combat, their codes of honor also dictated their behavior and actions outside of battle.
Time Period: 790 - 1066 A.D.
Geographic Range: Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden
Religion: Asatru (Pagan)
Appearances:
Beowulf
Vikings
Courage: You must have courage to do what you believe is morally correct, in and out of combat.
Truth: You should have enough faith in your words and actions to be truthful about them. Lies are an act of cowardice.
Honor: You should be true to your beliefs, in and out of combat.
Nine Noble Virtues
Medieval Knights were the warriors of the Middle Ages, depicted as brave, faithful, and chivalrous. Knights practiced Christian values, but followed the Code of Chivalry and the Vows of Knighthood as their moral code, not a religious text.
Medieval Knights
Vikings vs. Medieval Knights
Obey authority.
Guard the honor of fellow knights.
Avoid unfairness, cruelty, and deceitfulness.
Be faithful.
Be truthful.
Persevere until the end in all affairs.
Respect women.
Never refuse a challenge.
Similarities
Practiced Codes of Honor
Practiced Faithfulness & Loyalty
Practiced Honesty
Practiced Perseverance
Practiced Honor
Protected Women & Children
Protected the Less Fortunate
Differences
Knights are portrayed as brave, chivalrous, and heroic, while vikings are depicted as barbaric, cruel, and dishonorable in modern media.
Knights separated their code of honor from their religious beliefs, while vikings used their religious text as their code of honor.
Knights served kings, emperors, or other rulers, but vikings served no one.
Vikings pirated from others; knights didn't.
Bibliography
"Knights Code of Chivalry." Knights Code of Chivalry. LordsandLadies.org, n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2014. <http://www.lordsandladies.org/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm>.
Sanders, Bohdi. "The Wisdom Warrior." The Wisdom Warrior RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Sept. 2014. <http://thewisdomwarrior.com/2010/09/17/the-nine-noble-virtues-viking-values-for-the-warrior-lifestyle/>.

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VikingsFidelity: You should be faithful to God, but also to your friends and comrades.Discipline: You should live by your own code of honor, not the beliefs of another individual.Hospitality: You should treat others with dignity and respect and aid the less fortunate, when possible.Nine Noble VirtuesNine Noble VirtuesMedieval KnightsCode of

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Housecarls were well-trained, full-time Anglo-Saxon soldiers who were paid for their services. They wore a short mail-coat called a byrnie. The sleeves were left short to enable freedom of movement in battle. They wore a pointed helmet to help deflect blows from sword attacks. Their main weapon was the battle-axe. The heavy curved blade and long handle meant that the weapon had to be held with both hands. Housecarls also used a long double-edged sword with a shallow groove running along the blade on both sides to make it lighter.

Section 53: The English battle-axe and the Norman double-edged sword
in action at the Battle of Hastings, Bayeux Tapestry (c. 1090)

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Housecarls were well-trained, full-time Anglo-Saxon soldiers who were paid for their services. They wore a short mail-coat called a byrnie. The sleeves were left short to enable freedom of movement in battle. They wore a pointed helmet to help deflect blows from sword attacks. Their main weapon was the battle-axe.

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The Germanic system

Overlaid onto this was the old Germanic system of lordship and the hearth, but it had been altered almost beyond recognition by the demands of the previous two centuries.

Military service was still technically based on land 'loaned' from a lord in return for service. Yet by the 10th Century, this land had often been granted away in the form of 'bookland' which was a royal gift in perpetuity to a loyal retainer. Alfred and his successors had dealt with the problem by instituting the fyrd and military obligation was measured in hides.

In essence, the Anglo-Saxon kings had bypassed the problem of lordship by imposing duties on the land itself. Large landowners were now expected to bring a retinue of thegns with them, based on the hideage of their land, and the very definition of a thegn was someone who could afford to arm himself as a warrior with the proceeds of his land. The more powerful thegns themselves had retinues of housecarls, old-style military retainers who served in the hope of being granted bookland and thegn status in return for their loyalty.

The Norman system

By contrast, the Norman system was much more basic. In Saxon terms, the Normans were second or third generation immigrants to Northern France. According to their own foundation myth, the land of Normandy was granted to their founder, Rollo c.911, and he and his successors ruled it as 'marcher' lords of the frontier on behalf of the Frankish king. Therefore, the Norman system was coloured by Frankish practice and was still firmly entrenched in the familia - the lord's hearth.

Whilst technically the Norman Duke had the power to call out a general levy (much like the fyrd), he usually relied on his military familia, which was the complex set of family ties and loyalties he had established with the great magnates who occupied his land. By the time of William, this relationship had hardened from one of mutuality in which the Norman nobles were fidelis (faithful men), to one of dominance, in which the duke was dominus (lord). William himself had had a lot to do with that change. It was this familia which helped govern the country and owed personal loyalty to the duke.

Though Norman dukes controlled the coinage in their domain, no new coins had been minted since the time of William's grandfather. The duke still called upon his nobles to provide an army when he wanted to go to war, and they obliged in the expectation of a share in the spoils of conquest.

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Overlaid onto this was the old Germanic system of lordship and the hearth, but it had been altered almost beyond recognition by the demands of the previous two centuries. Military service was still technically based on land 'loaned' from a lord in return for service.

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A NEW drama-documentary series, 1066: A Year to Conquer England, is coming soon to BBC Two.

The show will explore the political intrigues and family betrayals that led to war.

But who were the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans and what led to the Battle of Hastings?

Here's what you need to know.

Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

The Anglo-Saxons are a people who inhabited Great Britain from the 5th century.

They came from northern Germany and southern Scandinavia and stemmed from three powerful tribes - the Angles, Saxons and Jutes.

The Anglo-Saxons began to invade Britain while the Romans were still in control.

The country of 'England' did not come into existence for hundreds of years after the Anglo-Saxons first arrived.

Instead, conquered areas were carved into seven major kingdoms - Northumbria, East Anglia, Essex, Sussex, Kent, Wessex and Mercia.

Each nation was independent and although they shared similar languages, religions and cultures they were fiercely loyal to their own kings and often went to war.

The conquered area slowly became known as England (from Angle-land).

The period in which they ruled is often referred to as "The Dark Ages" - mainly because written sources for the early years of Saxon invasion are scarce.

Who were the Vikings?

The Vikings originated from the three countries of Scandinavia - Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The name 'Viking' comes from the Old Norse language and means "a pirate raid".

The Vikings were known for raiding and trading from their homelands across wide areas of northern, central and Eastern Europe, during the late 8th to late 11th centuries - this has now become known as "The Viking Age".

The Vikings carried out many raids on Anglo-Saxon Britain - the first recorded raid was in 793.

The Vikings continued to make regular raids around the coasts of England, looting capturing people as slaves.

Gradually, the raiders began to settle and stay in British land they had seized - mainly in the east and north of England.

In 866, the Vikings captured modern York (Viking name: Jorvik) and turned it into their capital.

The Viking raiding did not stop - different bands of Viking made regular raiding voyages around the coasts of Britain a few hundred years after this.

Who were the Normans?

The Normans that invaded England in 1066 came from Normandy in France.

However, Normans were originally Vikings from Scandinavia.

At the beginning of the tenth century, French King Charles the Simple had given some land in the North of France to a Viking chief named Rollo in the hope that this would stop the Vikings from attacking France.

The land became known as Northmannia - meaning the land of the Northmen - which was later shortened to Normandy.

The Viking settlers intermarried with the French and by the year 1000, they were no longer Viking pagans, but French speaking Christians.

A group of Normans conquered land in Italy in 1030 and by 1099 they had taken over most of Southern Italy - where they showed remarkable ability when it came to governing.

What was the Battle of Hastings about and who won?

The Battle of Hastings marks the last time mainland Britain was invaded by a foreign power and saw the Normans sweep to victory over the old Anglo-Saxons.

The event, in many ways marked the creation of the England and Britain we know today, with our Queen able to trace her lineage back to William the Conqueror.

The world famous clash occurred on October 14 1066 when the invading Norman army from France attacked the Anglo-Saxon forces that had ruled England for centuries.

The rival forces came together just seven miles northwest of the coastal town of Hastings near to the modern day town of Battle, in East Sussex.

King Harold Godwinson of Wessex had taken the English throne after Edward the Confessor died leaving no children.

William, Duke of Normandy, also known as William the Bastard, also claimed the crown and landed at Pevensey in Sussex on September 28.

Sixteen days later the opposing armies would fight for the English crown in a battle that would change the course of history.

Around 6,000 men are thought to have lost their lives in the battle.
1066: A Year to Conquer England starts February 28, BBC Two, 9pm. READ MORE Battle of Hastings 950th anniversary - when was it, why did William the Conqueror win and how is it being remembered? Language historian unearths the best swear words from British history The top reasons you should visit Hastings When was the Great Fire of London, how did it start, what caused it and where was worst affected?

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Who were the Vikings, Normans and Anglo-Saxons?

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A NEW drama-documentary series, 1066: A Year to Conquer England, is coming soon to BBC Two. The show will explore the political intrigues and family betrayals that led to war. But who were the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings and Normans and what led to the Battle of Hastings? Here's what you need to know.

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William of Normandy Defeats the Anglo Saxons

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William of Normandy Defeats the Anglo Saxons

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macrohistory.com
(EUROPE: 1001 to 1212 - continued)
home | 6th-15th centuries

EUROPE: 1001 to 1212 (3 of 7)

William of Normandy Defeats the Anglo-Saxons

Into the eleventh century, the king of Wessex was called "King of the English." Beginning in 1042 that king was Edward "the Confessor." He was the son of Emma of Normandy, giving him blood ties with the Nor'mans (Northmen), former Vikings from across the English Channel in Normandy.

England was enjoying prosperity. It was covered by as much farmland as it would have in the early years of the 20th century, and its population was as large - the result of good nutrition and a lot of exercise. But England's government was poorly organized, and political backwardness contributed to military weakness.

In January 1066, King Edward died. He was succeeded by the Earl of Wessex: Harold Godwinson, son of a powerful nobleman. This bothered a duke named William across the English Channel in Normandy. William had been King Edward's cousin, and Edward had promised to make him his heir. William believed that this gave him the right to rule in England.

Norman aristocrats were having more surviving sons than they had land to divide among them, and they would try to solve their problem in a traditional way: by conquest. William planned an invasion of England.

On October 13, 1066, with 5,000 Norman knights, William landed in England, near Hastings, on the shore of the English Channel, to press his claim to the throne of England. Troops under King Harold arrived exhausted, having just fought the Battle of Stamford Bridge, near York, against an invasion and challenge by Norwegians and King Harold's brother Tostig Godwinson. At Hastings, William's army defeated Harold's army, and King Harold was killed by an arrow, leaving William as the most powerful force in England.

The Anglo-Saxons had not been well organized as a whole for defense, and William defeated the various revolts against what became known as the Norman Conquest. William of Normandy became King William I of England - while Scotland, Ireland and North Wales remained independent of English kings for generations to come.

The Normans were amazed by the wealth of England, William describing England as more wealthy than Gaul. William found local government administration to his liking, and he maintained the Anglo-Saxon judicial system. He also found serfdom - peasants working the lord's land and paying dues to the lord for use of his land. And William found slavery rampant. He allowed domestic slavery to continue about nine percent of England's population remaining in slavery, but he banned the sale of slaves for shipment overseas.

What William had no interest in was Anglo-Saxon art, which he and his fellow Normans treated with contempt and much of which they destroyed.

William introduced England to an exchange of land for military service. He divided England's lands into 180 parcels, each of which was put under the supervision of an overlord who, in turn, rented out lands to Norman warrior-barons. England's Anglo-Saxon aristocracy was replaced by these Norman barons. The now deposed Anglo-Saxon nobles who had not died at Hastings were turned into serfs. Clergy from Gaul replaced Anglo-Saxon bishops and abbots.

The Normans erected castles around England as defensive power bases from which to extend control over the English. French words became a part of the English language, and Anglo-Saxon became a peasant dialect.

Without the mechanisms of a modern state, William spent much of his time moving around his realm for show and communications, acting as a court of appeals and demonstrating a greater authority than that held by the local lord.

Copyright © 1998-2018 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.

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William of Normandy Defeats the Anglo-Saxons

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macrohistory.com (EUROPE: 1001 to 1212 - continued) home | 6th-15th centuries EUROPE: 1001 to 1212 (3 of 7) Into the eleventh century, the king of Wessex was called "King of the English." Beginning in 1042 that king was Edward "the Confessor."

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(Battle of Hastings = Norman Invasion of 1066 AD)

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The Bayeux Tapestry gives us a keen insight into the weapons that were wielded in the Battle of Hastings. From the simple and affordable club to fine steel-bladed swords, we take a closer look at one of England's most famous battles and the weapons used by the Normans and Saxons.

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The Bayeux Tapestry gives us a keen insight into the weapons that were wielded in the Battle of Hastings. From the simple and affordable club to fine steel-bladed swords, we take a closer look at one of England's most famous battles and the weapons used by the Normans and Saxons.

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Major differences between Saxon and Norman Society

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Major differences between Saxon and Norman Society

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Format: Chart

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Overall comparison

William kept some of the systems that had been in place under the Anglo-Saxons partly because he wanted to convince the English that he was the rightful heir to the throne. Keeping some aspects of the Anglo-Saxon government would help him to achieve this continuity. But, in addition, many of those systems were effective and so there was little need for change.

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Similarities and differences between Anglo-Saxon and Norman England

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William kept some of the systems that had been in place under the Anglo-Saxons partly because he wanted to convince the English that he was the rightful heir to the throne. Keeping some aspects of the Anglo-Saxon government would help him to achieve this continuity.