The Norman Conquest
Society, Economy and Culture in Medieval times
The Feudal System
In the medieval times, society was organised under a system usually referred to as the feudal system. It was a form of power structure, in which varying types of people had control over others. At the top of the system was the King. He had absolute power, and all other people were under his rule. Below the king, there was a level of wealthy and influential Noblemen, such as Lords, Barons and Earls and bishops and abbots within the church. The King provided these with land on the promise that they would provide soldiers to fight for the king in times of need. After these was a level of Knights, who owned some land but were less wealthy. The Lords and Barons could call upon these to fight for the King, in return for land and certain privileges. Finally, at the very bottom of the system were the peasants, who were poor and produced the food that people would eat, in return for protection. This image is of the merchant taken from Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales which was written at the end of the 14th century and is a useful source for seeing the types of people that existed in Medieval times.
Life in the Medieval Village / Countryside Life was generally hard for the peasants and serfs living in the countryside. It was centred around work on the land and producing food to eat so that people didn't starve. Work included ploughing land for crops, growing and harvesting the crops, and looking after animals such as pigs. The work was difficult and the days were very long (Peasants would work more or less for as long as there was light to work by.) The peasants would live in roughly constructed 'wattle and daub' huts, which were made from wood and materials such as clay and sand. The roof was thatched from straw and there were no windows. The animals would also be kept in the hut, so it would smell, and cooking was done on open fires so it would be very smoky. Peasants would make their own clothes from wool and rough cloth. Men would usually wear a tunic with a hood, and leather shoes with wooden soles. Women wore coarse gowns. However, peasant life was not all hardship. The importance of religion in society meant that there were some holy days off. Leisure often consisted of shows of strength such as Wrestling and fighting. Peasants did drink a form of weak, home made beer. There were also travelling musicians who would sometimes pass through the village, sing and play instruments such as lutes, pipes and drums. |
However, many Historians have argued that this system is too simplistic, as it doesn't take into account many other types of people within medieval society. In particular, Merchants; who made money trading goods such as food produce, wool and leather or craftsmen such as goldsmiths, stone masons and carpenters. As part of the feudal system, Noblemen were required to pay taxes to the king. This ensured that Royalty could pay for armies and other expenses, but also helped to prevent barons from rising up against the king. About 1085-6 William the conqueror ordered a book be made that would contain information on who owned what throughout the country. This would mean that there was a record of what people owned and how much they should pay in taxes, so that they could not argue against how much they had to pay. It was called the 'Domesday book.' Life in the Medieval City/Town The medieval City consisted of narrow, busy streets made up of similar wattle and daub houses as the village, only larger and in a greater number. There was also a castle and churches. The town was generally walled, and subject to a curfew, where the gates would open in the morning and close again at night. Watchmen would patrol and look for criminals. The town was a place of commerce, and life was dominated by the noisy market, where merchants, both local and foreign, would compete to sell food, clothing and other goods such as tools. Craftsmen such as smiths and masons had workshops advertised to customers by a big picture hanging above the door. This was due to the fact that most people were illiterate. Merchants and Craftsmen would organise themselves into Guilds. These made sure that the traders received fair prices, as well as ensuring their goods were up to a certain standard. As they grew more powerful, they would set up a guildhall to where disputes were settled. Towns could seek a charter from the King. This would allow them to choose a mayor, and have greater control over laws and taxes. |
Importance of Christianity and The Crusades
Importance of religion in medieval life
The Medieval Church was very rich and powerful in Britain. All people, both rich and poor, believed in God and were fearful of going to hell after they died. As such they would attend a Roman catholic church service every week, and pay a 'tithe' to the church. This was a tax, paid in either money, or if you were too poor, produce such as grain. The payment of tithes is part of why the church was so rich. Most of the churches power lay in the peoples fear of what would happen to them after death; they would do whatever the church asked of them to avoid going to Hell. One thing that demonstrates how Rich the medieval church would have been is that many of its stone churches and grand impressive cathedrals are still standing now. They were well built and stood the test of time; this would only be possible with great wealth. One way in which many richer people demonstrated their faith was to make a pilgrimage. These were journeys to holy sites, such as Canterbury Cathedral, where the pilgrims depicted in Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th century collection The Canterbury Tales are headed for. Some people would even head further afield. On of the most Holy and revered sites of all was Jerusalem. A city in which Jesus himself spent much of his life, and was finally crucified. In 1076 when Jerusalem was captured and taken over by Muslims much of the Christian world was outraged. The Muslims in Jerusalem made it incredibly difficult for Christian pilgrims to enter. Many knights and men were convinced to fight for the cause, and were prepared to make the long journey to Jerusalem to fight for what they saw as the defense of their faith. Some went to fight because they were promised that God would forgive there sins, others went to avoid taxes, or gain land and riches. The fight was to span almost 200 years. Godfrey of Bouillon taken From Histoire d'Outremer by William of Tyre (12th Century)
14th Century Italian image showing Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II in discussion with Sultan Al-Kamil.
Early 14th Century representation of Louis IX, Found at the church of Mainneville, in Eure, France.
The Crusades had a huge effect on the western world.
Contact with the Muslim world brought much new understanding of different concepts such as warfare, medicine and mathematics. They were introduced to gunpowder, and goods such as spices and silk, which were very expensive to bring back to England. Also, the crusaders learnt that the world was bigger than previously thought. However, militarily speaking the crusades had a negative impact on the Holy Roman Empire. In 1453 the Turks captured Constantinople, and eventually moved further into Europe occupying places such as Modern-day Hungary. |
This terrifying image is taken from a painting of Hell by Dutch artist Hieronymus Bosch in the 1400's. It demonstrates the horrific idea of hell held by many people in the middle ages.
Above; Canterbury Cathedral in present day.
Below; 14th Century Brass work depicting a medieval bishop. The ornateness of the work demonstrates how Rich the church were at the time. First Crusade; 1096 - 1099
The crusaders, led by Godfrey of Bouillon, managed to capture and reclaim Jerusalem, killing thousands of Muslims and expelling them from the City. Kingdom of Jerusalem created. Second Crusade; 1147 - 1149 A bid to defeat Muslim forces that were threatening to reclaim the holy land. To recapture terrain, and allow for pilgrims and reinforcements to pass to Jerusalem.The second crusade failed, leaving Christian control in the holy land vulnerable, and letting Jerusalem fall back under Muslim control. However there were successes such as the capture of Lisbon. Third Crusade; 1189 - 1192 This is the Crusade that Richard 1st 'Lionheart' led against the Muslim leader Saladin. The crusades were largely successful for Richards forces, gaining much territory. However the leaders of the crusades argued, divided and were ultimately unable to recapture Jerusalem. Fourth Crusade; 1201 - 1204 This crusade led to the capture of Constantinople, even though this was a Roman-Catholic city. This led to divisions between the Christian Church, and still no recapture of Jerusalem. Fifth Crusade; 1217 - 1221 A failed crusade against Egypt. Was the last crusade organised and backed by the Catholic Church. Sixth Crusade; 1228 - 1229 Much less fighting was involved in this Crusade. Instead the diplomatic maneuvering of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II brought Jerusalem back under the control of the Kingdom of Jerusalem for 15 years. This was done without Papal blessing, highlighting decreasing Roman Catholic power. Jerusalem fell to Turkish forces in 1244. Seventh Crusade; 1248 - 1254 This crusade was launched by Louis IX of France, with the aim of freeing the Holy land again. It ultimately failed, but many Christian cities in Syria were fortified. Eighth Crusade; 1270 This crusade was also launched by Louis IX in response to diminishing Christian control in Syria. It consisted mainly of a siege at the bay of Tunis, which was eventually abandoned following an agreement with the sultan there. |
The English Campaigns to Conquer Wales and Scotland
Following the Norman Conquest, English control over Wales and Scotland was weak. Kings in Scotland were allowed to continue to rule, but had to accept the English King as an overlord. Many English noblemen feared Scottish Independence, worrying that they may ally with one of England's enemies such as France. On the borders of Wales, English noblemen gradually fought with and took over much of South Wales, however, the mountainous North remained Welsh.
When Edward I, known as longshanks, took the crown in 1274 he was faced with problems from Wales and France.
When Edward I, known as longshanks, took the crown in 1274 he was faced with problems from Wales and France.
Scotland
Since 1066 Scottish kings had been forced to declare English kings as their overlords. However in 1292 this became a problem for Edward I. The new Scottish king John Balliol refused to pay Edward homage, and defying Edwards request that he provide Scottish troops to the crown, entered into an alliance with France. In response Edward I mobilised English troops and moved them North to prepare for an invasion of Scotland. In 1296 English troops defeated the Scottish at Dunbar. Robert Balliol was forced to abdicate in July, and kept in the tower of London before being banished to France. The English had all but conquered the Scots at this point and Edward I declared himself King of Scotland. However, this did not end Edwards problems with Scotland. He attempted to rule them firmly, passing harsh laws and keeping his soldiers present in Scotland. This led many Scots to resent the English, and a series of rebellions occurred. In 1297 a small army of Scots led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeated a much larger English army at the battle of Stirling bridge. This temporarily forced the English out of Scotland, and led to Wallace being proclaimed the guardian of Scotland. In response to this, Edward I marched a much larger force up North to meet William Wallace in battle. Wallace who had been advancing troops into England around Newcastle, was forced to retreat. Eventually he was to meet Edward in battle at Falkirk, which he lost largely due to the size of the English force, and Edwards use of long bowmen. Wallace was defeated, and escaped alongside many of his troops. However, he was eventually betrayed and in 1305 was brought to London to be hung, drawn and quartered. Following Wallace's defeat, an other prominent Scot took his place as leader of Scottish independence. This man was Robert the Bruce. Robert the Bruce asserted his claim to the Scottish throne, and was involved in the murder of his biggest rival John comyn. Bruce was crowned on 25th March 1306. He received support from the pope as leader of an independent Scotland, and revived the alliance with France. Robert the Bruce led Scotland until his death in 1329. In 1327 Edward II was removed as King of England and replaced by his son. Peace was made with Scotland, and the new English king rejected English superiority of Scotland. |
Wales
In 1258 Llyewlyn the Great had become Prince of Wales in an agreement with Edwards father Henry III. However when Edward was crowned, Llyewlyn refused to pay him homage or return debts owed to England. The insult was then heightened further when he began to build his own castles on the English-Welsh border, and took the daughter of English Military leader Simon De montfort for his wife. Edward felt that he had to deal with the problems posed by Llyewlyn, and invaded Wales in 1276. His forces fought many battles along the Welsh border, building English Castles as the went along. Edward also used his navy to cut off Welsh supplies; a key factor in his eventual victory. Edward allowed Llyewlyn to keep his title of Prince of Wales following this war. This was to prove a mistake, as in 1282, after being convinced by his brother Daffyd, Llyewlyn again rebelled against England. Edward had to send his troops to fight again. This time Llyewlyn was killed in battle, and Daffyd was captured and executed. Following this rebellion Edward was much harsher with how he dealt with the Welsh. He applied English law and language across the country, building many more English castles to impose this law and ensure the Welsh did not rise again. His son Edward II was made Prince of Wales; a title that remains with the Heir of English Monarchs to this day. |