Y102: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035-1107 | OCR A-Level History A (H505)

Y102: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035-1107

113 questions
11 subtopics
British period study and enquiry, one of thirteen
Y101 to Y113

Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035–1107 is unit Y102 of OCR History A, one of the thirteen options in unit group 1, the British period study and enquiry; a student sits one of them.

Its seven key topics are Anglo-Saxon England 1035–1066, William of Normandy’s invasion and the Battle of Hastings 1066, William I and the consolidation of power, William I and the government and administration of England, William II Rufus and the consolidation of power and government, William II Rufus and the Church, the death of William II Rufus and the succession of Henry to 1107. 113 recall questions across 11 subtopics.

Sample questions from Y102: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035-1107

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

Anglo-Saxon England 1035–1066: England in 1035 and Edward’s upbringing

What were the immediate consequences of Cnut's death in 1035?

Show the answer
His empire broke apart and England was disputed between his two sons, so the kingdom was divided in practice between Harold Harefoot in the north and Emma holding Wessex for the absent Harthacnut.
Anglo-Saxon England 1035–1066: Edward’s policies, importance of the Godwin family and succession crisis

Give two examples of Edward's Norman connections.

Show the answer
He promoted Norman clerics in the English Church, including making Robert of Jumièges Archbishop of Canterbury, and he installed Norman kinsmen and followers with lands and castles on the Welsh border.
William of Normandy’s invasion and the Battle of Hastings 1066: preparations, Fulford Gate, Stamford Bridge and the Norman landing

What was the outcome of the battle of Fulford Gate on 20 September 1066?

Show the answer
Harald Hardrada and Tostig defeated the northern earls Edwin and Morcar, and York submitted to the invaders.
William of Normandy’s invasion and the Battle of Hastings 1066: the battle of Hastings, its outcome and William’s coronation

Give three reasons for William's victory at Hastings.

Show the answer
He combined cavalry and archers against an infantry-only army, he kept control of his troops through a crisis that could have destroyed him, and Harold's men were exhausted by two forced marches and a battle three weeks earlier.
William I and the consolidation of power: William’s departure in 1067 and Harrying of the North

What happened at Exeter in 1067–1068?

Show the answer
The city defied William and held out for over two weeks before surrendering on terms, after which he built a castle to command it.
William I and the consolidation of power: Hereward, castle building, the new elite and threats from Scotland and Scandinavia

Describe the usual technique of early Norman castle construction.

Show the answer
An earth mound was thrown up with a timber tower on top and an enclosed yard beside it, all built quickly with forced local labour.
William I and the government and administration of England: Change and continuity in government

Name two significant changes William made to the government of England.

Show the answer
Latin replaced English as the language of royal documents, and landholding was reorganised so that all land was held ultimately of the king in return for service.
William I and the government and administration of England: the Church, towns and countryside, and the Domesday survey

Give two changes affecting English towns after the conquest.

Show the answer
French quarters of merchants and settlers grew up in the larger boroughs and Jewish communities were brought over from Normandy, while houses were destroyed to make room for castles.

The 11 subtopics

One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.

Subtopic	What it covers	Questions
Anglo-Saxon England 1035–1066: England in 1035 and Edward’s upbringing	Recall questions on England in 1035, the consequences of Cnut’s death, instability resulting from the continuation of Danish influence, Edward’s upbringing, the problems he faced and leadership qualities.	8
Anglo-Saxon England 1035–1066: Edward’s policies, importance of the Godwin family and succession crisis	Recall questions on Edward’s policies, Edward’s Norman connections, the importance of the Godwin family and the succession crisis including the claim of Harald Hardrada.	12
William of Normandy’s invasion and the Battle of Hastings 1066: preparations, Fulford Gate, Stamford Bridge and the Norman landing	Recall questions on William’s invasion preparations and delay, the battles of Fulford Gate and Stamford Bridge, the Norman landing and ravaging of Sussex, and Harold’s response.	10
William of Normandy’s invasion and the Battle of Hastings 1066: the battle of Hastings, its outcome and William’s coronation	Recall questions on Harold’s position and the two armies, the course of the battle of Hastings, the reasons for William’s victory, the march through the south, the English submission and William’s coronation.	10
William I and the consolidation of power: William’s departure in 1067 and Harrying of the North	Recall questions on William’s departure in 1067, the imposition of Norman rule, the suppression of rebellions and the Harrying of the North.	10
William I and the consolidation of power: Hereward, castle building, the new elite and threats from Scotland and Scandinavia	Recall questions on Hereward the Wake and Ely, Norman castle building, the new Norman elite, the Scottish threat and the persistent danger of Scandinavian invasion up to 1085.	10
William I and the government and administration of England: Change and continuity in government	Recall questions on change and continuity in government and administration during the reign of William I, the fate of Anglo-Saxon earls, the role of Norman barons and knights.	8
William I and the government and administration of England: the Church, towns and countryside, and the Domesday survey	Recall questions on Lanfranc and the reorganised English Church, papal authority, Norman military organisation, changes in towns and countryside, and how and why the Domesday survey was made.	12
Enquiry: William II ‘Rufus’ and the consolidation of power and government	Recall questions on dispute over the Conqueror’s inheritance, William’s relationship with Robert, rebellion from the Norman barons, the role of Odo of Bayeux, William’s diplomacy in Scotland, the Northumbrian campaigns, William’s invasion of Wales, Ranulf Flambard and government.	12
Enquiry: William II ‘Rufus’ and the Church — William’s attitude towards the Church	Recall questions on William’s attitude towards the Church, the trial of William of Saint-Calais, William’s relationship with the papacy, including Urban II, the appointment of and relationship with Anselm as Archbishop of Canterbury, the Council of Rockingham.	11
Enquiry: The death of William II ‘Rufus’ and the succession of Henry to 1107	Recall questions on William’s return to England in 1099, negotiations with Duke William IX of Aquitaine, Robert’s return from the Crusade, the event of William’s death, circumstances of William’s death and Henry I as the beneficiary of William’s death.	10

Y102: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest 1035-1107 is 113 of the 6,240 questions in the guide.Get the guide, £8

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.