Hi there, I'm Mr. Roberts and thanks for joining me for today's history lesson where my job will be to guide you through our history resources.

I'll be making sure that by the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to securely meet our lesson objective.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to recall and apply key themes from the historical context of Norman England.

There are five key terms which we need to make sure we're comfortable with before embarking on our lesson today.

Inheritance refers to receiving property or other items from a parent or other after their death.

Patronage is the support that an overlord provided to their vassal in return for homage.

Romanesque is an architectural style inspired by the buildings of ancient Rome.

Investiture refers to the ability to choose and appoint bishops and abbots and vernacular refers to the language spoken by ordinary people in a region or country.

Our lesson is separated into three learning phases, and the first part revolves around the Normans and specifically conquest and control.

The Norman Conquest of 1066 stemmed from competing claims to the English throne.

Edward the Confessor who died childless, allegedly pledged succession to William Duke of Normandy, but later named Harold Godwinson as his heir on his deathbed, William contested this, leading to pivotal battles culminating in Norman control.

In September 1066, Harold defeated the Norwegians at Stanford Bridge, weakening his forces for the imminent Norman invasion.

The decisive battle of Hastings on the 14th of October 1066 saw William's use of feigned retreats and archery to break the English shield wall.

Harold's death secured Norman victory, enabling William to claim the throne.

Normans, employing cavalry and archery, outmanoeuvred the Anglo-Saxon Shield wall.

They also introduced significant military innovations such as Castle Construction, which is exemplified by the White Tower in London to assert their dominance.

William the First leadership was pivotal in consolidating control.

He established a feudal system to ensure loyalty and commissioned the doomsday book for efficient governance.

His rule combined administrative prowess with military aggression, including the devastating Harrying of the North between 1069 and 1070, suppressing northern resistance but causing widespread suffering and famine.

Post conquest rebellions challenged Norman authority, such as Eadric the Wild's revolt, and the revolt of the Earls in 1075, William used force, strategic marriages and castle building to quell unrest and maintain control.

William II or William Rufuss faced internal strife upon inheriting the throne in 1087, including conflicts with his brother Robert Curthose and disputes with the church.

He upheld Norman governance through military might and administrative policies, but faced challenges that culminated in his assassination.

Next, I'd like you to have a go at the multiple choice question on the screen.

Which two of the following are military aspects of Norman England, A, Anglo-Saxon and Norman tactics, B, cavalry and castles, C, the death of Edward, the confessor, or D, the inheritance of William II.

Pause the video while you choose your two answers and then just press play to check the accuracy of your selections.

Welcome back and well done if you selected A and B.

Now have a go with the following question.

What aspect of Norman Conquest and control is missing from this diagram? Pause the video while you work this out and then press play for the answer to be revealed.

Welcome back and well done if you identified that it was the causes of the Norman Conquest that was missing, the Normans possessed a robust military culture focused on training, discipline and innovative tactics pivotal to their successes on the battlefield, William employed a multifaceted approach to governance, utilising destruction such as the harrying of the North, diplomacy through strategic marriages, defence via castle construction and domination through architectural projects to enforce control and discourage rebellions.

William's leadership and the prowess of his knights were instrumental in pivotal battles like Hastings.

And in sustaining Norman rule, his ability to lead and inspire his knights proved decisive in securing victories and maintaining authority.

William aimed to establish himself as a legitimate king, not merely as a conqueror, symbolised by his coronation on Christmas day in 1066.

Religion played a central role in his rule with structures like the chapel in the White Tower serving to underscore Norman piety and divine favour framing his invasion as a holy mission.

Next, I would like you to discuss this question with a partner.

How might a Motte-and-bailey castle help Normans to control an area? Pause the video while you do this and then press play when you're ready for the justification.

Hello again and well done if you said that troops could live in a castle, ready to go out and put any trouble in the area.

If there was any threat, Normans could shelter behind the strong defences of the Motte-and-bailey castle and local people would see the castle and be intimidated by it.

And for our first written task today, study the photo of Old Sarum, Wiltshire on the screen and answer the following question, what does it tell you about conquest and control in Norman England? Pause the video while you answer the question and then press play when you're ready for some feedback in the form of a model answer, welcome back and well done if you managed to include any of the following in your answer.

There is plenty of flatland outside of the Iron Age fort where the Normans could have built a new cathedral, but instead they built it inside the fort and next to a Motte-and-bailey castle.

This suggests that the Normans had defence as their main priority, so conquest had not been fully achieved.

Furthermore, having the castle and the cathedral together side by side would've made a strong unit of control as both would've dominated the landscape.

Really well done there.

With that task done, we're ready to move on to the second part of our lesson today, where we'll be learning about life under the Normans.

Under Norman Rule, England underwent a profound transformation through the establishment of feudalism, a hierarchical system centred around land ownership and Lordship.

William the Conqueror distributed extensive estates to his trusted knights and nobles in exchange for their loyalty and military service.

These tenants in chief wielded considerable authority within their territories governed autonomously under the overarching rule of the king.

The completion of Doomsday Book in 1086 provided a comprehensive survey of land ownership, facilitating efficient taxation and governance.

Feudal obligations formed the backbone of Norman military strength, requiring landholders to furnish knights and soldiers for the king's service.

Inheritance laws restrict to maintain the integrity of estates and ensure continuity of feudal duties.

With primogenitor becoming prevalent among the Norman nobility, patronage played a crucial role fostering personal bonds between laws and vasels based on protection and reciprocal loyalty.

Norman governance centralised power under the monarchy, employing sheriffs to enforce royal authority throughout the kingdom, counties were subdivided into smaller administrative units overseen by appointed officials, ensuring effective local governance.

The legal system evolved to blend Norman Feudal customs with Anglo-Saxon traditions administered through Royal Court, under appointed judges to uphold order and royal prerogatives.

The introduction of Norman Feudal practises replaced earlier Anglo-Saxon administrative structures, enhancing centralised governance and efficiency in taxation and justice.

Over time, Norman and Anglo-Saxon systems merged, influencing the evolution of English governance and societal norms during the mediaeval era.

Under Norman Rule, England underwent profound economic and social transformations, impacting both urban and rural communities.

Norman rules spurred the growth of towns, particularly around royal castles and ecclesiastical centres.

These towns served as hubs of trade and commerce, attracting merchants and craftsmen.

Urban life flourished as markets and fairs became vital economic and social centres.

Towns were governed by burgesses who obtained rights and privileges from the king or local laws in exchange for taxes and services.

Guilds emerged to regulate trade and protect craftsman's interests, contributing to economic stability and urban development.

Rural life revolved around the menial system where peasants or serfs worked on vast estates owned by lords.

They were bound to the land and obligated to provide labour, crops and payments to their Lord in exchange for protection and use of land.

Villages were organised around manors, each with its own manor house and agricultural land.

Peasants lived in small clustered settlements and worked communal fields under the supervision of the Lord or his steward.

Norman Nobles constructed imposing castles across England, such as the White Tower, to assert authority and provide defence against internal and external threats.

Churches and monasteries were also built or rebuilt in Romanesque style, showcasing Norman architectural prowess and religious devotion.

Manor houses served as administrative centres and residences for lords and their families.

Peasant dwellings were typically simple, constructed from wood and thatch, reflecting their subsistence lifestyle.

Agriculture formed the backbone of the economy, with peasants cultivating crops and raising livestock on manorial lands.

The three field system introduced by the Normans, improved agricultural productivity by rotating crops and maximising land use.

Craftsmen in towns and villages produced goods such as textiles, pottery and metalwork.

Trade flourished as merchants exchanged local products for imported luxury items like spices and silk, Norman society was hierarchical with kings and nobles at the top, followed by clergy, knights and peasants.

Each had defined roles and responsibilities based on feudal obligations and social status.

Life revolved around seasonal cycles of planting, harvesting and religious festivals.

Villages marked important events like Christmas and Easter with feasts and religious ceremonies reinforcing community bonds and religious devotion.

Norman cuisine introduced new culinary practises with ingredients, blending French influences and Anglo-Saxon traditions.

The diet varied by social class with nobles enjoying meat, game and imported delicacies, while peasants subsisted on grains, vegetables and dairy products.

Forest law was established to protect royal hunting grounds and preserve timber resources.

Strict regulations governed access to forests, restricting commoner's rights and opposing penalties for poaching and illegal logging.

Now it's time for a true or false question, true or false? The topic, life under the Normans, includes the church and religious life.

Pause the video while you make a decision and then press play when you're ready for the answer to be revealed.

Welcome back and well done if you said the answer is false.

Next, I'd like you to think about the correct justification for that answer based on our learning so far.

Once again, pause the video and then press play when you're ready for the answer to be revealed, welcome back and well done if you said it's false, because the topic is focused on government and the feudal system as well as economic and social change.

Next, what key source of information on feudalism and government in Norman England is missing from the diagram? As ever, pause the video while you work it out and then press play when you're ready for the answer to be revealed.

Welcome back and well done if you identified the missing information as the Doomsday Book.

Next, I'd like you to attempt another true or false question, true or false? The Romanesque style of architecture was one of the changes introduced to England by the Normans.

Pause the video once again while you come to a decision on what you think the correct answer is and then press play when you're ready for the answer to be shown on the screen.

Welcome back and well done if you said the answer is true.

Now I'd like you to have a think about why the answer is true based on our learning so far.

As ever, pause the video while you make a decision on the correct justification and then press play to continue.

Welcome back, and well done if you said the answer is true because the Normans had used this style of architecture for churches and cathedrals across Normandy previously.

Next, for our second written task today, I'd like you to study the map of Norman England and answer the following question, what does the map suggest about changes to life in England after the Norman Conquest? Pause the video while you complete this task and then press play when you're done and are ready for some suggestions.

Welcome back and well done if you managed to include any of the following.

The map shows castles built across the whole of Norman England.

This suggests that many people, especially in towns, would live every day under the shadow of a Norman Castle.

This was especially true in the march at Earldoms. This might have been intimidating or people might have valued the security that the castle gave them.

Large areas of the countryside did not have castles, in these areas, life might have been quite similar to before the Norman Conquest.

Now please study the photo of a Norman Cathedral on the screen, which was built in a Romanesque style.

Describe two or three of the features that you can see.

Pause the video while you complete this task and press play when you're done and ready for some more suggestions.

Welcome back and well done if you described any of the following, fit columns with zigzag patterns, round arches with decorative patterns.

Very high ceiling with crisscross arches.

It's made of stone rather than wood.

Plain stone work with light coloured stone and it has big windows which let in a lot of light.

Really well done there.

With that task done, we're ready to move on to the final phase of our learning today where we'll be learning about the Norman Church and monasticism.

The Normans viewed the Anglo-Saxon Church as antiquated and corrupt, receiving it to have declined due to a lax adherence to religious laws.

Following William the Conquer's ascension to the English throne, Lanfranc, Frank appointed as Archbishop Canterbury, led a comprehensive reform effort starting around 1070.

Central to Lanfranc's reforms was a stringent anti-corruption campaign within the clergy.

He instituted stricter controls over church life, establishing dedicated church courts to handle legal matters involving clergy accused of crimes, thus bypassing the secular hundred courts.

This centralization aimed to enforce discipline and uphold moral standards among churchmen.

Moreover, Lanfranc integrated bishops and archbishops into the feudal system, aligning their roles and responsibilities with those of secular lords.

This move not only reinforced royal authority over ecclesiastical affairs, but also streamlined governments across both secular and religious domains.

Lanfranc's tenure also saw a significant church building programme initiated across England.

These constructions served not only as centres of worship, but also as symbols of Norman piety and cultural integration.

By promoting the construction of churches and monasteries Lang Frank aimed to solidify influence and foster unity among the diverse populations under Norman Rule, William I and Franc maintained a tight control over the English church, resisting attempts by the papacy to increase its influence.

This policy ensured that ecclesiastical appointments and decisions remained under royal authority, safeguarding the authority of the English church from external influence, monasteries in Anglo-Saxon England had experienced a period of decline before the Norman Conquest.

However, under the influence of Lanfranc and his reforms having started around 1070, monasticism underwent significant revitalization and restructuring.

Lanfranc's reforms drew inspiration from monastic orders like the Cluniacs, renowned for their strict adherence to spiritual discipline and community life.

These influences shaped reforms that aim to impose greater discipline and separation from secular society within monastic communities.

As part of this revival, prominent Norman Landholders sponsored the establishment of new abbeys and monasteries across England.

They imported orders of monks from France such as the Benedictines, to oversee these institutions and bring their traditions of rigorous religious observance to England.

However, these reforms also brought changes.

Monastic life became more disciplined and secluded, emphasising spiritual devotion and withdrawal from worldly affairs.

This shift reduced the role of monasteries in secular education and emphasised the use of Latin in worship, replacing the vernacular languages like English.

Lanfranc's reforms under Norman rule revitalised monasticism in England, integrating continental influences to restore discipline and spiritual focus within monastic communities.

This transformation saw the establishment of new monastic foundations and the importation of foreign monastic orders and a shift towards Latin in religious practises, marking a significant chapter in English religious history under Norman patron.

Next, I'd like you to attempt another true or false question, true or false? The topic of the Norman Church and monasticism includes religious reforms. Pause the video while you come to a decision on what you think is the correct answer and then press play to continue.

Welcome back and well done if you said the answer is true.

Now, I'd like you to think about why the answer is true based upon what we've just been learning about.

Pause the video while you do this and then press play when you're ready for the justification.

Hello again and well done if you said the statement is true because the topic considers both reforms of monasticism and of the English church.

Next, what key source of information on feudalism and government in England is missing from the as ever, pause the video while you work it out and then press play for the answer to be revealed.

Welcome back, and well done if you identified the missing information as Archbishop Lanfranc, and before we move on again, it's time for another brief learning check.

Discuss this question with a partner.

Why did Lanfranc think the English church needed to be reformed? Pause the video while you have a discussion and then press play when you're ready for some suggested discussion points.

Welcome back and well done if you discussed any of the following.

Lanfranc thought that the English church was backward, not up to date.

He thought the English church was corrupt.

Its leaders were not following religious laws.

He thought the English church was in decline and not as important as it should be.

Next, please read Aisha's brief description of Lanfranc's reform of the English church and add two more points to improve her description.

Aisha says that the main feature of Lanfranc's reform was a huge programme of church building and rebuilding.

Pause the video while you add two more points to improve her description and then press play for some suggestions.

Welcome back and well done if you added anything like this.

Lanfranc also considered the Anglo-Saxon Church to be corrupt, so he began an anti-corruption drive with stricter rules for church life.

He introduced church courts so that any churchman accused of crimes were not tried in the ordinary hundred courts.

Really well done there, and with that task complete, we've arrived at the end of our lesson today, and all that's left for us to do is to summarise our key learning points, and it would be great if you could remember these going forward.

Firstly, the historical context of Norman England includes conquest and control life under the Normans and the Norman church and monasticism, and secondly, recalling key themes from these three topic areas is important for making links between Norman England's historic environments and the historical context of Norman England.

Thank you so much for joining me for our lesson today.

It's been an absolute pleasure to guide you through our history learning resources, and I look forward to seeing you again in the future for more history lessons.