Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils study an aspect of British medieval history in depth. They learn about the social, economic, religious and political events that influenced the lives of those who lived in this period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain William's use of rewards and Marcher earldoms to control England.

Key Notes

• William was crowned king but the Normans continued to plunder England.
• William faced unrest throughout most of England.
• To help him rule, William rewarded his most loyal supporters with land.
• William appointed Odo and FitzOsbern as regents.
• William created new Marcher earldoms to defend the Welsh border.

Vocabulary To Learn

• regent: a regent is a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent or too young or too ill
• tribute: tribute is when you pay money and declare loyalty/submission to your ruler, especially on a formal occasion
• Marcher: a Marcher earl was a noble appointed by the king of England to guard the border (known as the Welsh Marches) between England and Wales
• sheriff: a sheriff was an official who oversaw law and order in a local area on behalf of the monarch

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• After William the Conqueror was crowned King of England, he and the Normans were immediately accepted as rightful rulers and peace reigned across the kingdom.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Anglo-Saxon society Study Guide
• Bishop Odo of Bayeux Study Guide
• Change and continuity in Norman England Study Guide
• Claimants to the throne in 1066 Study Guide
• Earldoms and local government in Anglo-Saxon England Study Guide
• Edward the Confessor and the House of Godwin Study Guide
• Motte-and-bailey castles Study Guide
• Reasons for William's victory at the Battle of Hastings Study Guide
• The Anglo-Norman Church Study Guide
• The Anglo-Saxon economy and the role of the Church Study Guide
• The Anglo-Saxon monarchy Study Guide
• The Battle of Hastings Study Guide
• The battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge Study Guide
• The feudal system in Norman England Study Guide
• The Harrying of the North Study Guide
• The legacy of Anglo-Saxon resistance Study Guide
• The Norman aristocracy Study Guide
• The Northern and East Anglian rebellions Study Guide
• The revolt of the earls in 1075 Study Guide
• The significance of Domesday Book Study Guide
• The submission of the earls in 1066 Study Guide
• The uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson Study Guide
• William I and his successors Study Guide