Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053-1106 | Edexcel A-Level History (9HI0)

Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053-1106

163 questions
16 subtopics
Paper 2: the depth study, one option of sixteen
Paper 2

A Paper 2 depth study running from Earl Godwin's death to Tinchebrai, covering late Anglo-Saxon society and kingship, the succession crisis and the conquest of 1066, how the Normans held England down, and the quarrels among William's sons..

It covers monarchy and government, the economy of England, the house of Godwin, early threats to Harold’s throne, william of Normandy’s invasion, dealing with opposition to the Normans, wales and Scotland, the founding of a military state, central and local government, the end of the English aristocracy, changes in towns and villages, the English church, william of Normandy’s decision to invade England in 1066, problems in Normandy, 1066–87, william Rufus and Robert Curthose and henry I and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom restored, 1100-06.

Sample questions from Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053-1106

Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.

Monarchy and government

What were the great earldoms of late Anglo-Saxon England?

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Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria and East Anglia, held by a handful of families whose power could rival the king's, above all the house of Godwin.
The house of Godwin

Which of Harold's brothers held the earldom of Northumbria until 1065?

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Tostig Godwinson.
William of Normandy’s invasion

What was William's military experience before 1066?

Show the answer
Twenty years of warfare in Normandy and its borders, surviving rebellion as a minor and winning at Val-es-Dunes and Varaville, and conquering Maine in 1063.
Wales and Scotland

Who was Eadric the Wild?

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A Shropshire thegn who resisted Norman encroachment from 1067, allied with Welsh princes and attacked Hereford, before submitting in 1070.
Central and local government

What was the king's household, and why did it matter?

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The itinerant court of chamber, chapel and chancery that travelled with the king; it was the working centre of government before departments settled in one place.
Changes in towns and villages

What was the position of Jews in Norman England?

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They came from Rouen after the conquest under royal protection, lived mainly in the towns, and were used by the crown as a source of credit and revenue.
William of Normandy’s decision to invade England in 1066

Why did William believe he could win?

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Twenty years of successful warfare, a duchy pacified and enriched, control of Maine, and a network of allies among Bretons and Flemings willing to serve for reward.
William Rufus and Robert Curthose

Which of William's sons inherited the Duchy of Normandy in 1087?

Show the answer
Robert Curthose.

The 16 subtopics

One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.

Subtopic	What it covers	Questions
Monarchy and government	Recall questions on the power of the English monarchy, the earldoms and shires, the hundred and shire courts, the witan, the writ, and the law codes.	12
The economy of England	Recall questions on the geld and the hide, the royal mints and the silver penny, the boroughs and overseas trade, and the place of slavery.	10
The house of Godwin	Recall questions on the family's rise under Cnut, the exile and return of 1051 to 1052, the earldoms held by Harold's brothers, the Welsh campaign, and the Northumbrian revolt.	11
Early threats to Harold’s throne	Recall questions on the four claimants and their cases, the witan and the coronation, Edgar the Aetheling, and Hardrada's invasion and defeat at Stamford Bridge.	10
William of Normandy’s invasion	Recall questions on William's military experience, the shield wall at Senlac, the feigned retreats, the part played by luck, and the Bayeux Tapestry as evidence.	10
Dealing with opposition to the Normans	Recall questions on the submission at Berkhamsted, the risings in the south west, the Harrying of the North, Hereward at Ely, and the Revolt of the Earls.	10
Wales and Scotland	Recall questions on Eadric the Wild, the marcher lordships, Malcolm III and the Treaty of Abernethy, the Northern Rebellion, and William Rufus at Carlisle.	10
The founding of a military state	Recall questions on tenants-in-chief and servitium debitum, the obligations of tenure, motte and bailey castles, and the Oath of Salisbury.	10
Central and local government	Recall questions on the household and chancery, the sheriff, the geld and the coinage, the making of Domesday Book, and the murdrum fine.	10
The end of the English aristocracy	Recall questions on the scale of dispossession, the honour and why estates were scattered, the frontier earldoms, and the fate of the English language.	10
Changes in towns and villages	Recall questions on castles driven through the boroughs, shifting trade patterns, the arrival of the Jews, the royal forests and forest law, and the decline of slavery.	10
The English church	Recall questions on the deposition of Stigand, Lanfranc's reforms, why William supported them, and the investiture dispute settled in 1107.	10
William of Normandy’s decision to invade England in 1066	Recall questions on the claim and the disputed oath, the strength of Normandy, papal support, how the fleet was raised, and how great the risk was.	10
Problems in Normandy, 1066–87	Recall questions on the revolt in Maine, the defeat at Dol, Robert Curthose's rebellion and Gerberoi, Philip I's interference, and the arrest of Odo.	10
William Rufus and Robert Curthose	Recall questions on the division of 1087 and why it caused a crisis, the rebellion of 1088, the settlement of 1091, and Robert's departure on crusade.	10
Henry I and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom restored, 1100-06	Recall questions on the seizure of the treasury, the Coronation Charter, the defeat of Robert of Belleme, and the victory at Tinchebrai.	10

Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053-1106 is 163 of the 6,832 questions in the guide.Get the guide, £9

How the guide is worked

Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.

Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.

Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.