Feudal System in France in the 11th Century

Feudal System in France and Normandy

• The feudal system in France was established by the 11th century, with the Norman barons possessing large tracts of land and numerous serfs.
• The Normans lived under the rule of the Duke of Normandy, who had made themselves practically independent from the King of France.
• They were as strong as the king himself, whose domain was smaller than the Duchy of Normandy.

Norman Knights

• Norman knights were well-trained cavalry and were the best in Europe.
• They were formidable fighters and would wage wars to seize new lands and serfs.

Claimants to the English Throne

• The question of who should follow Edward the Confessor as king was one of the most important in English history.
• King Edward relied heavily on his brother-in-law, Harold Godwin, and named him as his successor.
• Edward had also promised the English crown to his nephew William, the Duke of Normandy, in return for his support.

The Battle of Hastings

• The English and Norman armies met on October 14, 1066, in the neighborhood of Hastings.
• The Normans outnumbered the Anglo-Saxon forces and were superior in quality.
• The Normans used a combination of heavy-armored cavalry and archers to defeat the English.
• Harold Godwin died in the battle, struck by an arrow, and the Normans succeeded in breaking the line of defense.

William the Conqueror

• William, the Duke of Normandy, was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066.
• He ruled England for 21 years, from 1066 to 1087.
• William commissioned the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England's land and resources.

The Domesday Book

• The Domesday Book was completed in 1086 and provided information on land ownership, value, and resources.
• It was the first registration and complete economic survey in England.

The Norman Conquest's Impact on the English Language

• The Norman Conquest introduced French language and suffixes into the English language.
• New suffixes and prefixes were introduced, such as -ance, -ence, -ment, -age, and dis-.
• The Norman period enriched the English language with synonyms.

The Story of Thomas Becket

• Henry II's desire to assert royal power led to a conflict with Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
• Becket fled to France, received the Pope's blessing, and returned to England to strengthen the Church's position.
• Becket was killed in Canterbury Cathedral by four barons sent by the king in 1171.
• He was canonized in 1173, and his tomb became a center of pilgrimage.

Richard the Lion Heart

• Richard I, also known as Richard the Lion Heart, was one of England's most popular kings.
• He was brave, cruel, and generous, and inspired loyalty.
• He spent only six months of his reign in England.