Year 10 - History
William I and his successors
British depth study: Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 what was important about the disputed succession to William you.
Key Notes
- William had a stern personality, shown in the tension with his eldest son, Robert, (who he nicknamed 'shorty-pants').
- Robert believed that William was denying him power, and in 1077, he rebelled.
- William's deathbed succession announcement lacked clarity and divided his kingdom and duchy.
- Some of the Norman aristocracy agreed that Robert, as the eldest son, deserved to inherit both Normandy and England.
- Robert, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, and six of William's largest landholders launched a failed attempt to remove William II.
Vocabulary To Learn
- succession: succession is the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else
- realm: a realm is an area ruled by a monarch, duke or other legitimate ruler
- primogeniture: primogeniture is the custom of a family's property going to the oldest son when the father dies
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The one-dimensional view of William as a violent conqueror.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
William had a stern personality, shown in the tension with his eldest son, Robert, (who he nicknamed 'shorty-pants'). Robert believed that William was denying him power, and in 1077, he rebelled.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'succession'
succession is the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The one-dimensional view of William as a violent conqueror. Correction: In fact, William was very pious and he repented some of the atrocities he had committed during his reign and insisted his treasures should be used to rebuild some of the areas he had harried.
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
- Rewarding followers and the Marcher earldoms 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
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