Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060-88 (GCSE Edexcel Unit 2 British Depth Study)

Exam Questions

Q4a (4 marks) Q4b (12 marks) Q4c (16 marks)

Anglo- Describe two features of earldoms in Explain why there was a rising against Earl Tostig in ‘The main reason for the English defeat at the Battle of
Saxon Anglo-Saxon England. 1065. Hastings was superior Norman tactics.’ How far do
England You may use the following in your answer: you agree? Explain your answer.
and the • The Danelaw You may use the following in your answer:
Norman • Taxation • The feigned defeat
Conquest, You must also use information of your own. • The shield wall
1060 - 66 You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of William’s troops Explain why there was a succession crisis after the ‘The main reason why there was rivalry over the
at the Battle of Hastings. death of Edward the Confessor. throne in 1066 was because Edward the Confessor did
You may use the following in your answer: not have a son’. How far do you agree? Explain your
• Normandy answer.
• The Witan You may use the following in your answer:
You must also use information of your own. • The succession
• The wealth of Anglo-Saxon England
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the Witan. Explain why William won the Battle of Hastings. ‘The main consequence of the Norwegians invasion of
You may use the following in your answer: England in 1066 was that there was no English army to
• Knights stop William of Normandy’s army landing in England.’
• Tactics How far do you agree? Explain your answer.
You must also use information of your own. You may use the following in your answer:
• Stamford Bridge
• Edwin and Morcar
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the Anglo- Explain why Earl Harold of Wessex became king of ‘The main reason for the Norman victory at the Battle
Saxon legal system. England in 1066. of Hastings was Duke William’s leadership.’ How far
You may use the following in your answer: do you agree? Explain your answer.
• The Witan You may use the following in your answer:
• Oath of loyalty • Feigned flight
You must also use information of your own. • Harold army
You must also use information of your own.
 Describe two features of village life. Explain why King Harold lost the Battle of Hastings.
You may use the following in your answer:
• Leadership
• Tactics
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the work of the Explain why there was rivalry for the throne in 1066.
king. You may use the following in your answer:
• Edward the Confessor
• Oath of Loyalty
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the power of
the Godwin family.
Describe two features of William of
Normandy’s claim to the English throne.
Describe two features of Harold
Godwineson’s embassy to Normandy.
Describe two features of the Battle of
Stamford Bridge.
Describe two features of William’s
preparations to invade England.
Describe two features of the Anglo-
Saxon army at the Battle of Hastings.
Describe two features of William’s
leadership at the Battle of Hastings.
William I Describe two features of Motte and Explain why William created the Marcher earldoms. ‘The main reason for the Harrying of the North was to
in power: Bailey castles. You may use the following in your answer: prevent another Danish invasion’. How far do you
securing • Protecting the borders agree? Explain your answer.
the • Rewarding followers You may use the following in your answer:
kingdom, You must also use information of your own. • Robert Cumin
1066-87 • Danelaw
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the rebellions in Explain why changes in landownership made resistance ‘William’s strategy for ruling England had failed by
the North, 1069. to Norman control less likely after 1071. 1070’. How far do you agree? Explain your answer.
You may use the following in your answer: You may use the following in your answer:
• Tenants-in-chief • The submission of the earls
• Thegns • The Harrying of the North
You must also use information of your own. You must also use information of your own.
 Describe two features of the Revolt of Explain why William was able to become King of ‘The main reason for the defeat of Hereward’s
the Earls in 1075. England after the Battle of Hastings. rebellion was King William’s leadership’. How far do
You may use the following in your answer: you agree? Explain your answer.
• Castles You may use the following in your answer:
• Rewarding loyalty • Bribery
You must also use information of your own. • Tactics
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of Hereward the Explain why motte and bailey castles were built ‘The main consequence of the Harrying of the North
Wake’s rebellion I 1070-71. throughout England. was that there were no more rebellions in the north of
You may use the following in your answer: England after 1071’. How far do you agree? Explain
• Defence your answer.
• Control You may use the following in your answer:
You must also use information of your own. • Destruction
• Castles
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of William’s Explain why William I ordered the Harrying of the ‘The main reason for the failure of the Revolt of the
rewards to his Norman followers. North. Earls in 1075 was Waltheof’s warning to Lanfranc’.
You may use the following in your answer: How far do you agree? Explain your answer.
• Revenge You may use the following in your answer:
• Control • The Danes
You must also use information of your own. • Bishop Odo
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the Harrying of Explain why the Revolt of the Earls in 1075 failed. ‘The main reason William I was able to keep control of
the North. You may use the following in your answer: England in the years 1066-75 was the building of
• Waltheof castles.’ How far do you agree? Explain your answer.
• Lanfranc You may use the following in your answer:
You must also use information of your own. • Motte and Bailey
• Danelaw
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the changes in Explain why the English rebellions against William the
landownership during William I’s reign. Conqueror failed.
You may use the following in your answer:
• Hereward the Wake
• The Danes
You must also use information of your own.
Norman Describe two features of Norman Explain why William Rufus was able to defeat the ‘The main consequence of the Normanisation of
England, government. rebellion in 1088. England was that the king became more powerful’.
1066-88 You may use the following in your answer: How far do you agree? Explain your answer.
 • Bishop Odo You may use the following in your answer:
• The Church in England • The Feudal System
You must also use information of your own. • Archbishop Lanfranc
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of feudalism. Explain why Bishop Odo lost power in 1082. ‘The main significance of the Domesday Book was
You may use the following in your answer: financial’. How far do you agree? Explain your
• Tenant-in-chief answer.
• The Church You may use the following in your answer:
You must also use information of your own. • Invasion threats
• The geld tax
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of Lanfranc’s Explain why Lanfranc made changes to the Church in ‘Of all the changes the Normans made in England, the
reforms of the English Church. England. most important was the change to the Church’. How
You may use the following in your answer: far do you agree? Explain your answer.
• Corruption You may use the following in your answer:
• The Pope • Lanfranc
You must also use information of your own. • The feudal system
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the Forest Laws. Explain why changes took place in Anglo-Saxon society ‘It was changes in landholding that did the most to
and economy after 1066. secure Norman control of England’. How far do you
You may use the following in your answer: agree? Explain your answer.
• Destruction You may use the following in your answer:
• Trade • Tenants-in-chief
You must also use information of your own. • Forfeiture
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the Domesday Explain why Robert of Normandy rebelled against his ‘The main consequence of religious reforms was that
Book. father in 1077-80. English cathedrals were all rebuilt’. How far do you
You may use the following in your answer: agree? Explain your answer.
• Money You may use the following in your answer:
• Enemies in France • Canterbury Cathedral
You must also use information of your own. • The Pope
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the culture of Explain why the rebellion against William Rufus in 1088 ‘The main consequence of William I’s decisions about
the Norman aristocracy. was settled. the succession was that William Rufus inherited the
You may use the following in your answer: English crown’. How far do you agree? Explain your
• Bishop Odo answer.
• Robert of Normandy You may use the following in your answer:
You must also use information of your own. • Rebellion
 • Bishop Odo
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of the career of Explain why there was a disputed succession to the
Bishop Odo. English throne when William I died.
You may use the following in your answer:
• Bishop Odo
• Robert of Normandy
You must also use information of your own.
Describe two features of William I’s
settlement of the succession in 1087.

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