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Year 10
AQA

Continuity and change in Norman government

I can explain continuity and change in the government of Norman England.

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New
New
Year 10
AQA

Continuity and change in Norman government

I can explain continuity and change in the government of Norman England.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Continuity is the term used in history to mean things staying the same.
  2. William wanted to be accepted as the legitimate heir of Edward the Confessor.
  3. After 1070, William abandoned plans for power sharing and put Normans in control of the government of Norman England.
  4. Changes to landholding were rapid and significant but the feudal system was probably a much more gradual change.
  5. Norman government relied heavily on Anglo-Saxon government administration and legal systems.

Common misconception

As conquerors, the Normans could make any changes they wanted to.

The Normans were greatly outnumbered in England and William hoped to convince most English people that his was going to rule in the same way as King Edward the Confessor.

Keywords

  • Continuity - the term used in history to mean things staying the same

  • Legitimate - something that is legal, right and accepted

This is a good topic to use for practice with interpretation questions about the extent of change.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Complete the sentence: The met monthly and dealt with local disputes, minor criminal cases and local administrative issues such as tax collection.
Correct Answer: hundred court, Hundred court, Hundred Court
Q2.
Complete the sentence: The dealt with more serious criminal cases and land disputes, and also appeals from the hundred courts.
Correct Answer: shire court, Shire court, Shire Court
Q3.
Which of the following did the Normans introduce to the justice and legal system in England?
the role of a sheriff
Correct answer: criminalisation of the use of resources from royal forests
more regular meeting of the courts
Correct answer: the murdrum fine
Q4.
Who were royal justices?
a sheriff who travelled around the country hearing cases in the king’s name
Correct answer: a judge who travelled around the country hearing cases in the king’s name
a thegn who travelled around the country hearing cases in the king’s name
Q5.
Which type of law was used to judge Church cases?
Church law
Lanfranc's law
Correct answer: canon law
Q6.
Why were there very few changes to Anglo-Saxon laws in Norman England?
William knew the pope had set the rules in England and did not want to change
William agreed with all the existing laws and did not want to change anything
Correct answer: William wanted to be seen as the guardian of the ‘Law of Edward’

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which keyword describes something that is legal, right and accepted?
Correct Answer: legitimate, Legitimate
Q2.
Complete the sentence: is the term used in history to mean things staying the same.
Correct Answer: Continuity, continuity
Q3.
Complete the sentence: After 1070, William abandoned plans for power sharing and put in control of the government.
Correct Answer: Normans, normans
Q4.
Who was able to keep their earldoms and role in government following their submission to William?
Lanfranc and Stigand
the Godwinsons
Correct answer: Edwin and Morcar
Q5.
William had the power to take back land from those who had broken their oath of loyalty to him. What was that called?
the right of inheritance
Correct answer: the right of forfeiture
the right of tenure
Q6.
Match the examples to whether they show change or continuity in Norman England.
Correct Answer:change,Domesday Book allowed the Normans to focus on central control

Domesday Book allowed the Normans to focus on central control

Correct Answer:continuity,Domesday Book relied on Anglo-Saxon records and administration

Domesday Book relied on Anglo-Saxon records and administration

Correct Answer:change,the transfer of land to Normans

the transfer of land to Normans

Correct Answer:continuity,the relationships between lords and vassals

the relationships between lords and vassals

Correct Answer:change,introduction of the murdrum fine and forest law

introduction of the murdrum fine and forest law

Correct Answer:continuity,William governed England using the ‘law of Edward’

William governed England using the ‘law of Edward’

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