Year 7 Medieval history knowledge organiser

Medieval The period between 1066-1500 Potential heirs to the English throne in 1066: Who should become king?
Chronology Putting events in the order that they happened
Harald Hardrada Harold Godwinson
William of Normandy
Century 100 years
Viking King of Norway Anglo-Saxon. Earl of Wessex,
one of the most powerful men Duke of Normandy, France.
Anglo-Saxons People that lived in England before the Norman Vikings had ruled Britain
William came from a fighting
before. Most feared warrior in England
Conquest in Europe –Hardrada means Harold’s sister was married to
family. He was a brave solider.
King Edward. Harold was a Edward’s cousin. Edward had
‘hard ruler’ and his nickname
Normans People from the Normandy region of France, led by was ‘the Ruthless’. Harald was brave and respected solder
lived in Normandy from 1016-
King William with a tough streak. 1042. Edward had supposedly
supported by Tostig, Harold
promised that William should
Godwinson’s brother who The Witan, wanted Harold to
Bayeux An embroidery telling the story of the Norman become King of England
wanted revenge. be the next king.
Tapestry Conquest
Conquest Taking an area by using force Armies at the Battle of Hastings
Fyrd Local farmers that fight for Harold Godwinson’s army William’s army Harold’s army
Housecarls Paid, experienced soldiers that fought for Harold’s His soldiers were well trained and well Harold’s army was made up of
army equipped. They wore chain mail armour professional soldiers and conscripts,
which gave them much protection. His peasant farmers who were forced to
Cavalry William’s soldiers that fought on horses army was made up of infantry, archers join the army and fight. Harold’s best
Harrying To completely destroy and cavalry. His cavalry rode specially professional soldiers were the Saxon
bred horses which could carry the Huscarls. They were the king’s elite
Pope Head of the Catholic Church weight of these horse soldiers and still bodyguard. They fought with large axes
ride at speed. They were the elite of and round shields.
Britain before 1066 William’s army.

Anglo-Saxons: People who lived in Britain from the 5th century. They
included people from Germanic tribes who migrated to the island from Why did William win the battle of Hastings?
Europe. Preparations Luck Leadership
Heir: a person who is legally allowed to take the rank and property of
someone who has died. William had well trained and The weather changed when William was very brave and led
Witan: Kings Council, made up of powerful Bishops and Earls, helped the professional soldiers. Large William was trying to his men very well.
parts of Harold’s army was Harold had to fight the William showed his face
king run the country Vikings first this gave William
untrained and made up of during the battle to keep his
Edward the Confessor: 1042-1066 farmers. Many of Harolds men the advantage. solders from running away.
• Edward became king of England in 1042 after his half-brother died. had left the army to collect The Saxons left the shield
Before this he had been living in Normandy. the harvest in. Harold was not wall to chase the Normans
prepared for the battle. down the hill.
• Edward married but had no children. It was not clear who Edward At a key moment in the battle
William's army was fresh and
wanted to be king after him. For a king to die without an heir was a well rested. He had lots of Harold was killed.
disaster! supplies. Harold’s was tried
• He was made a saint and ‘the confessor’ means someone that is saint- and reduced in size following
the Battle of Stanford
like but not a martyr.
Bridge.
 Year 7 Medieval history knowledge organiser
Medieval The period between 1066-1500 Castles
Feudal The social structure of Medieval England
system William also kept control by building castles throughout England.
Over time 3 types of castles developed throughout Britain.
Villein Peasant at the bottom of the Feudal system
Baron Noble land owner that pledged their loyalty to the King
Motte and Bailey – The first castles built to help
fight against rebellions. They were built
Normans People from the Normandy region of France, led by quickly and made out of wood, meaning
King William that they were not very strong,
and could be easily destroyed.
Motte and The first type of castle made by William. It was made
The Bailey was on flat land, where majority
Bailey out of wood and had a higher Motte part and a lower
of the people lived. The Motte was the
Bailey part
higher land of the castle, where the
Stone Keep Similar to Motte and Bailey but made of stronger fort was.
castle materials such as stone Stone Keep – This castle was now made
out of stone and had towers as a form
Taxes Money collected from people by the King of defence. The main part of the castle
Pope Head of the Catholic Church was the Keep, a large square tower,
used as the main defence.

The Feudal System The Domesday Book

After taking the throne in 1066, William has a few problems:
- He does not trust the English lords, who do not like him. In 1086, William sent out surveyors to every part of England, with
- He has to force the English to accept him as King. orders to list:
- Many of the English are rebelling and fighting against William. •how much land was there
- He has to pay the French Knights who helped him to win
•who had owned it in 1066, and who owned it now
the throne.
•what was the place like, and who lived there
Solution: William crushes the rebellions and took the land away •how much it was worth in 1066 and how much now
from the English lords and gave it to his supporters instead.
William now has his supporters helping him to control the whole William did this to allow him to effectively tax the land and earn money.
country. William also needed to have an idea of what could be seized from
William also sets up the Feudal System. This forces the English landowners who did not show him loyalty.
to give William their taxes and promises of loyalty, in return for
protection and land to farm. William is at the top of the system, Additional notes
as he holds all the land and money, which he gives to the Barons.
They promise William their money, soldiers and loyalty. They give
the land to the Knights in return for loyalty and military service.
Finally the knights give the land to the peasants. The peasants
farm the land and give food, money and services to the knights.