New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

The revolt of the earls in 1075

I can explain what the revolt of the earls reveals about Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule by 1075.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

The revolt of the earls in 1075

I can explain what the revolt of the earls reveals about Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule by 1075.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Three of William’s own earls rebelled against him in 1075, all believing they deserved more land and power.
  2. Waltheof confessed the plot to Lanfranc.
  3. English and Norman forces cooperated to stop the revolt.
  4. William punished most rebels with prison or banishment, however, Waltheof was executed.
  5. The revolt revealed England was tired of resistance and William could rely on Anglo-Norman leadership to secure England.

Keywords

  • Earldom - An earldom was a large area of land ruled by an earl on behalf of the king.

  • Regent - A regent is a person who rules a country for a limited period, because the monarch is absent or too young or too ill.

  • Garrison - A garrison is a group of soldiers that are stationed in a castle.

Common misconception

Resistance to William’s rule of England, came only from the English.

In 1075, two Norman earls revolted against William, and English forces helped to stop the rebellion.

Debate Waltheof's fate: hold a class debate on whether Waltheof's execution was justified, encouraging students to use evidence from the text.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
How did William use England’s land to shift power towards the Normans?
He granted half of England’s land to the Church.
He sold half of England’s land to the highest bidder.
Correct answer: He transferred half of England’s land to a few hundred Norman lords.
Q2.
How did royal seals help to extend William’s royal power across his kingdom?
they kept royal letters secure
Correct answer: they proved that the order was from the king
they proved that William could ride a horse
Q3.
What book was produced in 1086 after a large survey in England?
Correct answer: Domesday
The Bayeux Tapestry
The King's Great Matter
Q4.
Which of the following was a method used by William to maintain control of England?
Danish invasions
elections
Correct answer: military success
Q5.
How many Anglo-Saxon thegns held land in 1066 before the Normans redistributed it?
500
1000
Correct answer: 5000
10 000
Q6.
How did William oppress and control the kingdom?
Correct answer: by building castles
by encouraging trade
Correct answer: by harrying

6 Questions

Q1.
Why did three of William's own earls rebel against him in 1075?
They believed an Anglo-Saxon should be king.
They believed that the Church supported their claim.
Correct answer: They believed they deserved more land and power.
Q2.
Who confessed the plot to Lanfranc, leading to its discovery?
Roger de Breteuil
Ralph de Gael
Correct answer: Waltheof
William himself
Q3.
What does the term ‘garrison’ mean?
A significant political event.
A group of advisers.
A large gathering for plotting.
Correct answer: A fortified place with troops.
Q4.
Starting with the earliest, put these events, in the correct time order.
1 - Ralph inherits a smaller earldom
2 - Waltheof confesses the plot to Lanfranc
3 - English and Norman forces cooperate to stop the revolt
4 - William punishes the rebels
Q5.
What did the 1075 revolt reveal about Anglo-Saxon resistance?
many Anglo-Saxons supported resistance
Correct answer: many Anglo-Saxons were tired of resistance
many Anglo-Saxons were unaware of resistance
Q6.
What did the revolt of the earls reveal about Norman rule in England by 1075?
that Anglo-Saxons remained hostile to Norman rule
Correct answer: that Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule had declined
that Norman rule was solely dependent on Norman earls

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