1066 The Year That Changed The World
Topics The New Millennium The Normans Harold Godwinson The Battle of Stanford Bridge William The Conqueror Battle Of Hastings Iconoclasm The New Millennium The Normans Harold Godwinson The Battle of Stanford Bridge William The Conqueror Battle Of Hastings Iconoclasm The Great Schism Missionaries in the East The Castle Middle Ages Hierarchy Warfare in the Middle Ages The End of Times
Impending Doom In Europe the coming of the new millennium was viewed with fear. Some thought that the New millennium would bring new reign of Christ. Other believed the world would fall to darkness. Many would spend the passing of the millennium huddled in churches and cathedrals. In Europe the coming of the new millennium was viewed with fear. Some thought that the New millennium would bring new reign of Christ. Other believed the world would fall to darkness. Many would spend the passing of the millennium huddled in churches and cathedrals.
The Northmanni Early Tenth Century, Vikings settle along Seine river. Northmanni raid and attack local settlements. 911, Rollo deals with Charles the Pious to establish Duchy. Rollo converts and pays “homage.” Early Tenth Century, Vikings settle along Seine river. Northmanni raid and attack local settlements. 911, Rollo deals with Charles the Pious to establish Duchy. Rollo converts and pays “homage.”
The Normans Over the years the northmanni prosper and become involved. They begin to expand into Flanders and Brittany. They become Franks and are known as Normans. 1030 a dispute breaks out between Duke Richard III and his brother Robert. Over the years the northmanni prosper and become involved. They begin to expand into Flanders and Brittany. They become Franks and are known as Normans. 1030 a dispute breaks out between Duke Richard III and his brother Robert.
William Duke of Normandy When Robert dies in 1035 his bastard son William will inherit his Duchy. William’s mother’s heritage is unknown. The early years of his reign was marked by war and treachery. He would marry Matilda of Flanders to cement an alliance. When Robert dies in 1035 his bastard son William will inherit his Duchy. William’s mother’s heritage is unknown. The early years of his reign was marked by war and treachery. He would marry Matilda of Flanders to cement an alliance.
Invading England In 1060 William’s cousin Edward was king of England. Edward who was also Norman, bequeathed the throne to William before his death. Edward possibly had also granted rights to Harold of Wessex, and Harald III of Norway. What develops is a three way battle for the English throne. In 1060 William’s cousin Edward was king of England. Edward who was also Norman, bequeathed the throne to William before his death. Edward possibly had also granted rights to Harold of Wessex, and Harald III of Norway. What develops is a three way battle for the English throne.
Harold Godwinson Born in 1001, Son of Godwin Earl of Wessex. Related directly to King Cnut of England and Denmark. Sister married to Edward the Confessor. Selected to secede Edward by the Witenagemot. He would exile his brother Tostig, and by ascending throne break his oath to William. Born in 1001, Son of Godwin Earl of Wessex. Related directly to King Cnut of England and Denmark. Sister married to Edward the Confessor. Selected to secede Edward by the Witenagemot. He would exile his brother Tostig, and by ascending throne break his oath to William.
Defeating Harald William’s army of 7,000 plus was delayed crossing the channel. Harald’s Viking army landed near York. Harold had to assemble a force and on 25 September engaged Harald at Stamford Bridge. Harold’s army destroys the Nord army and Harald as well as Harold's brother Tostig are killed. William’s army of 7,000 plus was delayed crossing the channel. Harald’s Viking army landed near York. Harold had to assemble a force and on 25 September engaged Harald at Stamford Bridge. Harold’s army destroys the Nord army and Harald as well as Harold's brother Tostig are killed.
Two Forces of Destiny Harold had no time to celebrate, William’s army had landed on September 27. Harold would force march his army out of York. William’s army would feature 2,200 Cavalry while all of Harold’s were on foot. On October 14, 1066 Harold's army of 7,500 would meet William’s army of 8,500 at a place called Senlac Hill. Harold had no time to celebrate, William’s army had landed on September 27. Harold would force march his army out of York. William’s army would feature 2,200 Cavalry while all of Harold’s were on foot. On October 14, 1066 Harold's army of 7,500 would meet William’s army of 8,500 at a place called Senlac Hill.
The Battle of Hastings The Saxons had two primary troops Houscarls, and fyrd. The Normans employed archers, infantry, and cavalry. William’s archers would pelt the Saxon’s, but Harold’s troops held. The Saxon’s would repel several horse charges, but were tricked in a retreating faint. William’s Cavalry would turn and break Harold’s line. In the route Harold would take an arrow to the eye. The Saxons had two primary troops Houscarls, and fyrd. The Normans employed archers, infantry, and cavalry. William’s archers would pelt the Saxon’s, but Harold’s troops held. The Saxon’s would repel several horse charges, but were tricked in a retreating faint. William’s Cavalry would turn and break Harold’s line. In the route Harold would take an arrow to the eye.
Changing England With the death of Harold William would be sole claimant to the throne. He would begin by eliminating the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy. French would become the dominate language of the upper class. He would take power away from the Earls, and local administration would fall to the villages. He would place Norman law and court as the ruling council of the land. With the death of Harold William would be sole claimant to the throne. He would begin by eliminating the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy. French would become the dominate language of the upper class. He would take power away from the Earls, and local administration would fall to the villages. He would place Norman law and court as the ruling council of the land.
The Domesday Book To assess the amount of wealth (and tax) William commissioned the Domesday Book. This book would survey the material wealth of all regions under Williams control. The book would become final judgment to all on what taxes and revenue they would owe William. Ultimately it would divide England into Geographical regions known as fiefs. To assess the amount of wealth (and tax) William commissioned the Domesday Book. This book would survey the material wealth of all regions under Williams control. The book would become final judgment to all on what taxes and revenue they would owe William. Ultimately it would divide England into Geographical regions known as fiefs.
The Normans in Italy In the 1030’s three brothers William, Drogo, and Humphrey de Hauteville traveled to Italy. They lived the life of “adventurers.” William would take and claim Apuilla. They would fight off the Byzantines and the Pope. The youngest Robert Guiscard would invade Sicily and eventually seize it from the Moors. In 1090 he would take and hold Malta as well. In the 1030’s three brothers William, Drogo, and Humphrey de Hauteville traveled to Italy. They lived the life of “adventurers.” William would take and claim Apuilla. They would fight off the Byzantines and the Pope. The youngest Robert Guiscard would invade Sicily and eventually seize it from the Moors. In 1090 he would take and hold Malta as well.
The Orthodox Church In the east the Christian church would take on a different path. Broken from the influence of the west it would have different dogma and leadership. The Patriarch, the head of the church was appointed by the Emperor. Saints would be selected and voted by council based on deeds not miracles. Other interpretations of divinity were considered. In the east the Christian church would take on a different path. Broken from the influence of the west it would have different dogma and leadership. The Patriarch, the head of the church was appointed by the Emperor. Saints would be selected and voted by council based on deeds not miracles. Other interpretations of divinity were considered.
Iconoclasm During the 8 th Century a movement arose in the Byzantium church. Icons of Christ and the Holy Family were considered unholy and were destroyed. Fights and deaths broke out between iconoclasts and iconodules. The movement was ended at the Council of Nicaea in 787. During the 8 th Century a movement arose in the Byzantium church. Icons of Christ and the Holy Family were considered unholy and were destroyed. Fights and deaths broke out between iconoclasts and iconodules. The movement was ended at the Council of Nicaea in 787.
Cyril and Methodius The most successful Orthodox missionaries. Born in Thessalonica. They would initially serve in the court of the Abbasid Caliph. In 862 they would be called to Moravia by King Ratislav. Initially political they would over the years convert large numbers of Slavs to the Orthodox church. The most successful Orthodox missionaries. Born in Thessalonica. They would initially serve in the court of the Abbasid Caliph. In 862 they would be called to Moravia by King Ratislav. Initially political they would over the years convert large numbers of Slavs to the Orthodox church.
The Photian Schism All the differences in theology, leadership and language came to a head in 863. Michael III exiled the Patriarch Ignatios, and placed Photios in charge. Pope Nicholas protested. Envoys were sent and intimidated. The Pope and the Patriarch were excommunicated. In the end an uneasy truce was settled. All the differences in theology, leadership and language came to a head in 863. Michael III exiled the Patriarch Ignatios, and placed Photios in charge. Pope Nicholas protested. Envoys were sent and intimidated. The Pope and the Patriarch were excommunicated. In the end an uneasy truce was settled.
The Great Schism The Great split would occur in 1054 over the question of bread. Michael I would write a scathing letter to Pope Leo IX, and address him as “Brother.” Pope Leo would send a delegation to Constantinople. Again both churches would excommunicate each other, one done during high mass. The split still has not healed to this day. The Great split would occur in 1054 over the question of bread. Michael I would write a scathing letter to Pope Leo IX, and address him as “Brother.” Pope Leo would send a delegation to Constantinople. Again both churches would excommunicate each other, one done during high mass. The split still has not healed to this day.
The Castle Stemming from the Roman fort. Deliberate fortified dwelling and seat of power. Introduced into England by Normans. Early castles motte and bailey. Over time the castles would evolve to an imposing structure. Stemming from the Roman fort. Deliberate fortified dwelling and seat of power. Introduced into England by Normans. Early castles motte and bailey. Over time the castles would evolve to an imposing structure.
Different Designs Same Purpose There were several castle designs. Most were an adaptation to natural barriers. By 11 th Century most castles would feature these key features. Towers, keeps & baileys, outer and inner curtain walls. gatehouses, moats, and drawbridges Complimented with murder holes, arrow slits, ballista, and a myriad of other weapons and defensive features. There were several castle designs. Most were an adaptation to natural barriers. By 11 th Century most castles would feature these key features. Towers, keeps & baileys, outer and inner curtain walls. gatehouses, moats, and drawbridges Complimented with murder holes, arrow slits, ballista, and a myriad of other weapons and defensive features.
The Castilian Under Charlemagne the guardian of the castles was the Castilian. Initially they would have no landed power. Over time they would exert power over the region and gain titles of Duke, and Count. They would form the peak of Middle age Society Under Charlemagne the guardian of the castles was the Castilian. Initially they would have no landed power. Over time they would exert power over the region and gain titles of Duke, and Count. They would form the peak of Middle age Society
Middle Age Hierarchy Middle Age society would continue on the inherited Roman system of power. Ruling classes would maintain power through birth and adoption. No upward movement in society, only very rare exceptions. Only way is down. Middle Age society would continue on the inherited Roman system of power. Ruling classes would maintain power through birth and adoption. No upward movement in society, only very rare exceptions. Only way is down.
The King At the top of middle ages society. Gained position through heredity. Trace descent to mythical or tribal leader. Authoritative law of the land. Power was absolute. Primo-genitor ascension. At the top of middle ages society. Gained position through heredity. Trace descent to mythical or tribal leader. Authoritative law of the land. Power was absolute. Primo-genitor ascension.
The Lord Power given by monarch, but position gained through heredity. Local representation of law. Held military power over region. Was granted fief as payment for military servitude. Power given by monarch, but position gained through heredity. Local representation of law. Held military power over region. Was granted fief as payment for military servitude.
Feudalism The Lord owned all of the land. He would lease land rights to a vassal who provided protection and troops. The land owned by the vassal would be subject to their law. Tenants of the land, serfs were responsible to farms and produce the land. In turn the vassal would pay homage to lord in payment of service and goods. Vassals could subplot their fiefs as reward or inheritance. The Lord owned all of the land. He would lease land rights to a vassal who provided protection and troops. The land owned by the vassal would be subject to their law. Tenants of the land, serfs were responsible to farms and produce the land. In turn the vassal would pay homage to lord in payment of service and goods. Vassals could subplot their fiefs as reward or inheritance.
The Knight Those granted favor by the Lord could be granted title and land in trade for military service. Knights would owe duty as well as payment for Lords. Outfitting was the knights responsibility as well as maintaining fighting force. Daily life would consist of hunting, practice and competition. Were obliged to be called into service at moments notice. Those granted favor by the Lord could be granted title and land in trade for military service. Knights would owe duty as well as payment for Lords. Outfitting was the knights responsibility as well as maintaining fighting force. Daily life would consist of hunting, practice and competition. Were obliged to be called into service at moments notice.
Serfdom Made up 98% of population Were beholden to the laws of the Lord and vassals. 9\10 of their occupations consisted of farmers. Would lease acreage of land from lord. Required to give large percentage of yield for payment of lease. Had little rights, but would later strike and revolt for change. Made up 98% of population Were beholden to the laws of the Lord and vassals. 9\10 of their occupations consisted of farmers. Would lease acreage of land from lord. Required to give large percentage of yield for payment of lease. Had little rights, but would later strike and revolt for change.
The Commoner This class was made up of those who possessed a skill or trade. Would live in urban centers or villages. Would yield majority of taxes levied upon population. To protect rights would enter into unions or guilds. Later on would make up the middle class of society. This class was made up of those who possessed a skill or trade. Would live in urban centers or villages. Would yield majority of taxes levied upon population. To protect rights would enter into unions or guilds. Later on would make up the middle class of society.
Crusading Fever Spain would be involved in secular crusades in bids to retake lands lost to the moors. Jerusalem was an open city ruled by the Fatimid Caliphate. Seljuk Turks sweep in take Jerusalem, and threaten Constantinople. Emperor appeals to Pope. Makes an offer he can’t refuse. Deus Lo Volt!! Spain would be involved in secular crusades in bids to retake lands lost to the moors. Jerusalem was an open city ruled by the Fatimid Caliphate. Seljuk Turks sweep in take Jerusalem, and threaten Constantinople. Emperor appeals to Pope. Makes an offer he can’t refuse. Deus Lo Volt!!