Introduction

Hello, Year 7! Today we’re going to explore a fascinating part of history—the Normans and their impact on Britain. We’ll look at what happened when the Normans came to Britain in 1066 and ask ourselves: Did they bring trouble to Britain?

Who Were the Normans?

The Normans were people from a region called Normandy in France. They were originally Vikings, but over time, they settled down and became French. In 1066, they invaded England and changed the course of British history.

The Norman Conquest

The most significant event for the Normans was the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, fought against King Harold II of England. William won the battle, and he became the new king of England.

Key Changes Brought by the Normans

  1. Feudal System: The Normans introduced a new way of organising land and power called the feudal system. This meant that the king owned all the land and gave pieces of it to his nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service.
  2. Castles: The Normans built many castles across England. These castles were important for defence and control. They also showed the power of the new Norman rulers.
  3. Language: The Normans spoke French, and after the invasion, many French words entered the English language. This is why we have words like “court,” “government,” and “justice.”
  4. Taxation: The Normans changed the way taxes were collected. They created a system that was more organised, which meant that the king could collect more money to run the kingdom.

Did They Bring Trouble?

While the Normans brought many changes, some of these were very difficult for the people of England:

  • Loss of Land: Many Anglo-Saxons lost their lands when the Normans took over. This caused a lot of anger and resentment.
  • Rebellion: Some people fought back against the Normans, leading to conflicts and rebellions, like the Harrying of the North. This was a brutal campaign where many towns and villages were destroyed.
  • Cultural Changes: The Normans imposed their culture and ways of life on the Anglo-Saxons, which some people found hard to accept.

Conclusion

So, did the Normans bring trouble to Britain? Yes, they did in many ways. But they also brought important changes that shaped the future of England. Understanding their impact is key to knowing how Britain developed over the centuries.

Questions

Easy Level Questions

  1. Who was the leader of the Normans in 1066?
  2. What was the name of the battle where the Normans defeated the English?
  3. What system did the Normans introduce for land ownership?
  4. Name one type of building the Normans constructed in England.
  5. What language did the Normans speak?
  6. What was one effect of the Norman Conquest on the English language?
  7. Why did the Normans need to collect taxes?
  8. What happened to many Anglo-Saxon landowners after the Normans invaded?
  9. What was the Harrying of the North?
  10. Did the Normans rule England or Scotland?
  11. What year did the Battle of Hastings take place?
  12. Name one reason why some Anglo-Saxons were unhappy with the Normans.
  13. What did the Normans bring to England besides trouble?
  14. How did the feudal system change the way power was organised?
  15. What was William the Conqueror’s title after he became king?
  16. Who was King Harold II?
  17. Name one thing that was destroyed during the Harrying of the North.
  18. Did the Normans build towns or castles?
  19. What did the Normans demand from their vassals in exchange for land?
  20. Why is the Norman Conquest important in British history?

Medium Level Questions

  1. Explain how the feudal system worked.
  2. What were the social classes in the feudal system?
  3. Describe one way life changed for common people after the Normans arrived.
  4. How did Norman castles change the landscape of England?
  5. What impact did the Normans have on the English legal system?
  6. Why was the Domesday Book created?
  7. Describe the differences between Anglo-Saxon and Norman culture.
  8. What was the purpose of the castles built by the Normans?
  9. How did the Norman Conquest affect the church in England?
  10. Why did some Anglo-Saxons rebel against the Normans?
  11. What role did knights play in the feudal system?
  12. How did Norman influence shape the English monarchy?
  13. What was the significance of the Bayeux Tapestry?
  14. How did the Normans change farming practices in England?
  15. Explain how the Normans contributed to the development of towns.
  16. What was the role of the king in the feudal system?
  17. Describe how the Normans interacted with the native Anglo-Saxon population.
  18. What were some long-term effects of the Norman Conquest on England?
  19. How did William the Conqueror consolidate his power?
  20. What was one way that Norman rule affected the Scottish monarchy?

Hard Level Questions

  1. Discuss the implications of the feudal system on social mobility in Norman England.
  2. Analyze the impact of the Norman invasion on local governance in England.
  3. How did the Normans implement changes in land ownership affect the economy?
  4. Compare and contrast Anglo-Saxon and Norman military strategies.
  5. Evaluate the significance of the Harrying of the North in the context of Norman rule.
  6. How did the Norman Conquest lead to changes in the English legal system?
  7. Discuss the role of women in Norman society compared to Anglo-Saxon society.
  8. Examine the cultural exchanges that occurred between the Normans and Anglo-Saxons.
  9. How did the introduction of Norman language influence English literature?
  10. What were the economic consequences of the Norman Conquest for the Anglo-Saxon population?
  11. Analyze the role of the church during and after the Norman Conquest.
  12. Discuss the long-term effects of the Norman Conquest on the Welsh and Scottish borders.
  13. How did William the Conqueror’s reign differ from that of previous Anglo-Saxon kings?
  14. What were the causes and effects of the rebellions against Norman rule?
  15. Evaluate the significance of the Domesday Book in medieval England.
  16. How did the architecture of Norman castles reflect their purpose?
  17. Discuss the role of the Normans in the development of the English identity.
  18. How did the feudal system contribute to the rise of the English Parliament?
  19. Explain the significance of the Norman influence on the English language and culture.
  20. Analyze the effects of the Norman invasion on trade and commerce in England.

Answers

Easy Level Answers

  1. William the Conqueror
  2. Battle of Hastings
  3. Feudal system
  4. Castles
  5. French
  6. Many French words entered English.
  7. To help run the kingdom.
  8. They lost their land.
  9. A campaign that destroyed many northern towns.
  10. England
  11. 1066
  12. They lost their lands and power.
  13. Important changes to society.
  14. The king owned all the land.
  15. King of England
  16. The last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
  17. Towns and villages.
  18. Castles
  19. Loyalty and military service.
  20. It changed how England was ruled.

Medium Level Answers

  1. The king owned all the land, which he distributed to nobles, who then provided military service.
  2. King, nobles, knights, and peasants.
  3. They had to pay rent to new Norman landlords.
  4. Castles were built for protection and to show power.
  5. They created a more structured legal system.
  6. It helped the king know about land ownership and taxes.
  7. Normans spoke French and had different customs.
  8. They were used for defence and as homes for nobles.
  9. The church became more powerful and influential.
  10. They felt oppressed and lost their rights.
  11. Knights served their lords in exchange for land.
  12. The monarchy became more centralised and powerful.
  13. It tells the story of the Norman Conquest.
  14. They introduced new farming techniques and crops.
  15. They encouraged trade and created markets.
  16. The king was at the top, granting land and authority.
  17. Some accepted them, while others resisted.
  18. Changes in land ownership and culture.
  19. He built alliances and crushed rebellions.
  20. It led to conflict and influence in Scotland.

Hard Level Answers

  1. The feudal system limited social mobility and kept power with the nobles.
  2. Local governance became more controlled by Norman lords.
  3. Land ownership became concentrated, affecting small farmers.
  4. Anglo-Saxons focused on infantry, while Normans used cavalry.
  5. It showed the Normans’ strength and control over the north.
  6. It became more structured, with clearer laws and courts.
  7. Women had roles in running estates but less power than men.
  8. Cultural exchanges included language and art.
  9. It enriched English literature, especially in poetry.
  10. Many lost land and faced higher taxes.
  11. The church gained wealth and influence.
  12. Their resistance led to more conflict and stronger borders.
  13. William was more militaristic and centralised.
  14. Discontent led to uprisings and battles.
  15. It helped the king manage land and taxes.
  16. Castles were built thick for defence and included towers.
  17. Normans influenced the culture through language and customs.
  18. It allowed for the creation of a more representative government.
  19. It enriched English with new vocabulary and phrases.
  20. It changed trade routes and market systems in England.

Feel free to ask any questions if you need further clarification on today’s lesson!