The Norman Conquest of England

What is the Bayeux Tapestry? What tale does it tell?

A 70 meter long embroidery that tells the tale of William's military campaign to win the crown of England.

What was King Harald Hadrada's claim to the throne of England?

A deal struck by Hathacnut and Magnus

Describe William's battle deployment.

Archers in front then foot soldiers and calvary in the rear.

What do the English call the Battle of Hastings?

Battle

What were the results of the Battle of Ashingdon?

Cnut became King of England

Why are Sweyn and Cnut's conquest of England described as a veritable Scandinavian Empire?

Cnut became King of England, Denmark, Iceland Greenland and parts of Normandy

How did Emma become a power player in this new relationship with the Danish King of England?

Due to Cnut's illiteracy, she helped him understand the documents and helped sign them.

How did Duke Richard and King Aethlered seal their pact of mutual aid?

Duke Richard's daughter was arranged to marry King Aethelred

What were the results of Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard's attack on England in the year 1013?

England fled to the Isle of Man, then to Normandy; Emma fled to Normandy with her children

What are the specific ways that England changed as result of the 1066 conquest?

England was oriented away from Scandinavian world, turned towards continental Europe, became an integral part of the European story, a hybrid culture of Anglo-Saxon and Norman societies and they introduced French

Who did Hardrada;s army defeat on 9/20/1066?

English twin earls Morcar and Edwin.

What role did Tostig play against his brother Harold Godwinson?

Harald Hadrada

What news did Harald Godwinson receive on 9/8/1066?

Hardrada and Tostig had landed in Northern England and started to march

Who were the three claimants to the English throne in 1066? How do three men have a claim?

Harold Godwinson, Harald Hadrada and William Duke of Normandy; Godwinson had support, Hadrada had a claim based on relationship to Cnut and William was the great nephew of Emma.

On his deathbed, whom did King Edward designate as his heir? Do you think this choice was made freely?

He designated Harold Godwinson; No

How did Cnut cement and seal his conquest of England?

He married Emma

As William planned his invasion of England, what hurdles did he have to overcome?

He needed support from the church, the king of France and the nobles of Europe, he needed men and ships, he needed to convince reluctant nobles to join him and many balked, and serious quesitons of getting across the English Channel arose as well as the fact that they would be outnumbered.

What does the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle say about Harold Godnwinson's activities in Normandy in 1064?

He swore an oath to support William's claim to the throne. They say the oath may have been coerced.

Rumor spread across the Norman battle line that William had been Killed. How did William respond?

He took off his helmet and rode along the Norman front line and chanted that he would not be defeated.

Describe Edward the Confessor's personality.

He was a religious (pious) man.

What was the Norma Duke Richard's Viking heritage?

He was the 5th generation descendant of viking Rollo

In 1042, Edward the Confessor became King of England. What was his lineage and claim to the throne?

He was the son of King Aethelred and Emma

What have some historians theorized as a reason that William waited almost tow months to invade?

He was waiting fro Harald Hadrada to make a move

Describe Harold's battle line and how he deployed his men.

His men made a shield wall.

What issues did William's nobles bring up not to invade England?

How to get a large army across the English Channel, men, horses, baggage, weapons and supplies all needed to be transported by ship.

Harold Godwinson marched his army north to meet the invading Harald Hardrada. What was the outcome of the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

It was a total victory for the English (Godwinson). Both Hardrada and Tostig were killed.

How did King Aethlered of England respond to the recurring Viking attacks of the 990s?

King Aethlered & Duke Richard made a peace pact and pledged mutual aid against the viking raiders

How will all three claimants back up their claim to the English throne?

Military force

How did the English language change?

Norman conquerors introduced the French language to Great Britain

Why do you think if was important for Cnut to marry Emma?

So she could not come and claim the throne

Why are the events of 1066 England described as a seminal event in English history?

The events strongly influenced later events in English history

Harold Godwinson was supported as Edward's rightful heir by the "witan". What was the witan? Who else supported Godwinson's claim to the throne?

The witan are the Anglo-Saxon parliament; Nobles also supported Godwinson

How did descendants of Alfred the Great create the boundaries of England that exists today?

They English territory that had been lost ti earlier Danish invasion (Danelaw)

Why have historians second guessed Godwinson's decision to rush his men into battle against William?

They had just battled.

Godwinson had no time to celebrate his victory because...

They were not in position to take William.

The English were winning the battle until what happened? How did the Normans win the day?

William posed a fake retreat. The English ran after them, drawing them away from their wall. The Normans then attacked them.

What is the epilogue in this battle for the Kingdom of England?

William was crowned King of England and his wife was crowned queen. By 1070 William had secured all parts of the kingdom.