King Edward the ConfessorKing Edward the Confessor

• Got his name because he built Westminster Got his name because he built Westminster AbbeyAbbey

• Ruled England for 23 yearsRuled England for 23 years• Had no heirs when he diedHad no heirs when he died

Edward’s death left a 3 way fight for the throneEdward’s death left a 3 way fight for the throne

• Harold GodwinsonHarold Godwinson• Advisor to EdwardAdvisor to Edward• Brother-in-law to EdwardBrother-in-law to Edward

• Becomes the last Anglo-Saxon KingBecomes the last Anglo-Saxon King

Harald HardradaHarald Hardrada

• King of NorwayKing of Norway• Had an agreement with the king (Harthacut) Had an agreement with the king (Harthacut) beforebefore Edward Edward

• If either of them died, the other could have If either of them died, the other could have their throne.their throne.

• King Harthacut dies, but Hardrada is busy at King Harthacut dies, but Hardrada is busy at home and doesn’t take the thronehome and doesn’t take the throne

• Now he wants the throneNow he wants the throne

William, Duke of NormandyWilliam, Duke of Normandy

• Distant cousin to EdwardDistant cousin to Edward• Claims Edward said he Claims Edward said he

would by his successorwould by his successor• Claims Godwinson swore toClaims Godwinson swore to

support himsupport him• Pope excommunicated Godwinson.Pope excommunicated Godwinson.

The NormansThe Normans

• Descendants of the VikingsDescendants of the Vikings• Settled in Northwestern FranceSettled in Northwestern France

Battle of HastingsBattle of Hastings

• William the Conqueror invades EnglandWilliam the Conqueror invades England• Marches to HastingsMarches to Hastings• Battles King Harold GodwinsonBattles King Harold Godwinson• Defeats HaroldDefeats Harold• Most of the SaxonMost of the Saxon

aristocrats die.aristocrats die.

Norman RuleNorman Rule

• William ruled England for 21 yearsWilliam ruled England for 21 years• William seized the land and turned it over William seized the land and turned it over

to his Norman followersto his Norman followers• 1066 brought the largest change of land 1066 brought the largest change of land

ownership in the history of England.ownership in the history of England.

FeudalismFeudalism

• Caste SystemCaste System• Property SystemProperty System• Military SystemMilitary System• Based on a religious concept of hierarchyBased on a religious concept of hierarchy• William stands at the top of the pyramidWilliam stands at the top of the pyramid• He gives land to his overlordsHe gives land to his overlords• They give land to their vassalsThey give land to their vassals• Vassals have landless knightsVassals have landless knights• Serfs were at the bottomSerfs were at the bottom

Domesday BookDomesday Book

• Inventory of land, cattle, buildingsInventory of land, cattle, buildings

Power of Feudal System UnderminedPower of Feudal System Undermined

• Absolute power of king erodedAbsolute power of king eroded• King John is forced to sign Magna Carta in King John is forced to sign Magna Carta in

12151215• Document stating that the king can’t ax the Document stating that the king can’t ax the

barons without their consentbarons without their consent• Basis for English constitutional lawBasis for English constitutional law• 3 laws that were developed from it:3 laws that were developed from it:Trial by jury, legislative taxation, habeas corpusTrial by jury, legislative taxation, habeas corpus

• One of three types of fighting menOne of three types of fighting men

Knights were covered in layers of armorKnights were covered in layers of armor

It was very expensive to be a knight – armor and horses were very costly.

It was very expensive to be a knight – armor and horses were very costly.

Foot SoldiersFoot Soldiers

• These soldiers fought on footThese soldiers fought on foot

ArchersArchers

Steps to become a knightSteps to become a knight

• Son of a knightSon of a knight• Began to strengthen bodyBegan to strengthen body• Learned how to fight with spear and swordLearned how to fight with spear and sword

• Rode horsesRode horses• Practiced against a quintainPracticed against a quintain

• Taught to read and writeTaught to read and write

• Taught to sing and danceTaught to sing and dance

At age 15/16 the boy became a squireAt age 15/16 the boy became a squire

• A squire was in service to a knightA squire was in service to a knight• He helped to dress the knightHe helped to dress the knight• Served the knight’s mealsServed the knight’s meals• Cared for the knight’s horseCared for the knight’s horse• Cleaned the knight’s armorCleaned the knight’s armor• Assisted in tournamentsAssisted in tournaments• Learned how to handle a sword while Learned how to handle a sword while

wearing 40 pound of armor.wearing 40 pound of armor.

ChivalryChivalry

Chivalry- the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight

the rules and customs of medieval knighthood

Codes of Chivalry:

1. Promised to defend weak

2. Serve God

3. Shouldn’t Boast

4. Be courteous to women

5. Be humble

6. Give mercy to vanquished enemy

7. Always act with honor