← History syllabus

EnglandHistory

The Norman Conquest, 1065 to 1087

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What was Anglo-Saxon England like on the eve of the Norman Conquest in 1065?

The structure of late Anglo-Saxon society and government, the power of the king and earls, the role of the Church, the economy and towns, and the strengths and weaknesses of England that shaped the events of 1066.
A focused answer to the opening of OCR's Norman Conquest British depth study, covering Anglo-Saxon society and government, the power of Edward the Confessor and the great earls, the Church, the economy and towns, and the strengths and weaknesses of England in 1065.
13 min answer →

How did William establish and keep control of England after 1066?

Rebellions against Norman rule, the building of castles, the Harrying of the North in 1069 to 1070, the use of land and the redistribution of estates, and the means by which William secured his conquest.
A focused answer to how William secured England in OCR's Norman Conquest depth study, covering the rebellions of 1067 to 1071, the building of castles, the brutal Harrying of the North in 1069 to 1070, the redistribution of land to Norman lords, and the methods of Norman control.
13 min answer →

How did the feudal system and Norman government change the way England was ruled?

The feudal system of land in return for service, the roles of barons, knights and villeins, the changes to government and law under William, the position of the king, and how far Norman rule changed or continued Anglo-Saxon ways.
A focused answer to Norman government in OCR's Norman Conquest depth study, covering the feudal system of land for service, the roles of barons, knights and villeins, changes to royal government and law under William, and how far Norman rule changed or continued Anglo-Saxon ways.
13 min answer →

How did the Normans change the Church, and what does the Domesday Book reveal about Norman England?

Norman reform of the English Church under Lanfranc, the building of cathedrals, the relationship between Church and king, the making and purpose of the Domesday Book in 1086, and what it shows about Norman control of England.
A focused answer to the Norman Church and the Domesday Book in OCR's Norman Conquest depth study, covering Lanfranc's reform of the English Church, the building of Norman cathedrals, Church and royal power, and the making, purpose and significance of the Domesday Book of 1086.
13 min answer →

Why was there a disputed succession in 1066, and why did William win the throne?

The death of Edward the Confessor and the rival claims of Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy and Harald Hardrada, the battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge, the Battle of Hastings, and the reasons for William's victory.
A focused answer to the succession crisis of 1066 in OCR's Norman Conquest depth study, covering the death of Edward the Confessor, the rival claims of Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy and Harald Hardrada, the battles of Gate Fulford, Stamford Bridge and Hastings, and why William won.
14 min answer →