a great lord or landholder in the kingdom

when a person places their hands between the hands of a social superior and acknowledges their vassal status they are paying homage

a person who holds land from another within feudalism

a person who occupies or looks after property owned by another

Norman changes to English land holding

History

This unit will give pupils a grounding in the disciplinary use of sources which will be developed in the later unit on the English Civil War

Pupils will have an understanding of religious change in Europe and beyond which will contextualise aspects of the Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest: how do we know about the impact of the Conquest on England?

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

a person who occupies property owned by another

a ceremony of loyalty from a vassal to their lord

Match the words with the correct definitions.

William introduced a strict social order in England, based on a system of land ownership. Historians often call this the {{ }} system.

Put these in order of powerfulness in the feudal system, starting with the least powerful.

The king, who then granted out land for everyone else to use.

The Church, because the land really belonged to God.

Knights, because they fought for the king in return for land.

Who technically owned all the land in Norman England?

How Anglo-Saxons felt about being ruled by Normans. 

How much land William held personally as king.

How much land was taken from Anglo-Saxons and granted to Normans.

How the Norman Conquest changed how much land was worth.

Which **three** of the following can historians work out from studying the Domesday Book?

meant barons swore to be loyal to William.

told William how much everyone’s land was worth.

were used to reward William’s loyal followers.

made William the most powerful landholder.

Match these sentences starters with their correct endings.

So English people would have somewhere safe to shelter from Viking attacks.

To help William stop rebellions against Norman rule.

To convince English people that God had chosen William as their king.

To force English people to leave a region where there had been a rebellion.

Which **one** of the following is the best explanation for why William ordered castles to be built in England after 1066?

a ditch, sometimes filled with water, surrounding the castle

the castle courtyard; an open area inside the outer defences

a tall structure within a castle used for keeping a lookout

Match these features of motte-and-bailey castles with their correct definitions.

After his invasion fleet landed, William built a temporary castle at Pevensey.

A castle began to be constructed in London just before William's coronation.

In 1067, over 100 houses were destroyed to make room for Norwich castle.

A motte-and-bailey castle was built in York following a major rebellion.

In 1072 William ordered that a castle be built in Durham. 

Put these events in order, starting with the earliest.

It states that Edward promised William the throne.

It states that Harold promised to support William’s claim.

It states that Harold was a treacherous liar who broke his promises.

It states that William often had to fight wars against other Norman lords.

Which one of these is **not** a way in which the Gesta Guillelmi seeks to justify or strengthen William’s claim to the throne?

someone who lives in accommodation owned by their landlord

something that somebody owns and can sell, e.g. a house

a system where land was granted in return for services

a legal right to own or use land for a set period of time

Which **two** of the following statements would be useful in explaining the meaning of the word 'tenure'?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Norman changes to English land holding

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.