11.3 Norman consolidation of power and resistance movements
3 min read•july 30, 2024
William's consolidation of power was a brutal affair. He crushed rebellions, built castles, and replaced Anglo-Saxon nobles with Norman loyalists. This military and political strategy cemented Norman control over England.
The Normans also reshaped English society. They introduced , redistributed land to create a new aristocracy, and imposed their language and customs. These changes had lasting impacts on England's social structure and culture.
William's Consolidation of Power
Military Campaigns and Castle-Building
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William employed a combination of military campaigns and castle-building to assert his authority and suppress opposition
Key military actions:
(1069-1070): brutal campaign to suppress a major uprising in Northumbria, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life
Suppression of the Revolt of the Earls (1075): uprising led by three powerful Anglo-Saxon earls, ultimately suppressed by William's forces
Castle-building: construction of fortifications (e.g., Tower of , Windsor Castle) to secure strategic locations and maintain control over conquered territories
Political Appointments and Administrative Reforms
William sought to establish a loyal Norman aristocracy by redistributing land confiscated from Anglo-Saxon nobles to his Norman followers
Replaced Anglo-Saxon officials with Norman loyalists to ensure control over local government
Used the pre-existing Anglo-Saxon administrative system, including the office of sheriff and the system of shires
Compilation of the (1086): comprehensive survey of landholding in England, providing valuable information for taxation and governance purposes
Land Redistribution and Feudalism
Redistribution of Land
Key element of William's consolidation of power, allowing him to reward Norman followers and establish a loyal aristocracy
Confiscated lands from Anglo-Saxon nobles who opposed him or died during the conquest, as well as from the English Church
Granted confiscated lands to Norman nobles as fiefs, creating a new land-holding class
Consequences for the Anglo-Saxon population: many displaced from their lands or reduced to the status of peasants or serfs under Norman rule
Introduction of the Feudal System
Created a hierarchical structure of land tenure and military service, with the king at the top and vassals holding land in exchange for loyalty and service
Vassals' obligations:
Knight's service: providing a specified number of knights for military service based on the size of their landholdings
Other obligations: providing counsel, paying homage, and rendering financial aid in certain circumstances
Ensured loyalty of the Norman aristocracy to the king, as their landholdings and status depended on their continued service and support
Anglo-Saxon Resistance
Major Uprisings
Resistance in the north of England: Anglo-Saxon nobles and rebels, often supported by Scotland and Denmark, staged several uprisings
Harrying of the North (1069-1070): William's brutal campaign to suppress a major uprising in Northumbria
Hereward the Wake's resistance in the Isle of Ely (1070-1071): used the region's marshlands as a base for guerrilla warfare against the Normans
Revolt of the Earls (1075): significant uprising led by three powerful Anglo-Saxon earls seeking to overthrow William and restore Anglo-Saxon rule
Other Resistance Movements and the Role of the Church
Smaller-scale resistance centered around individual Anglo-Saxon nobles or outlaws who refused to submit to Norman authority (e.g., Eadric the Wild in the Welsh Marches)
The Church's complex role: some Anglo-Saxon clergy supported the rebels, while others collaborated with the Norman regime
Effectiveness of Norman Control
Success of William's Policies
Military campaigns effectively crushed organized opposition to Norman rule, though sporadic resistance continued for several years
Land redistribution and the feudal system created a loyal Norman aristocracy and ensured a stable base of support for William's rule
Administrative reforms (e.g., appointment of Norman sheriffs, compilation of the Domesday Book) centralized power and increased royal control over local government and taxation
Challenges and Long-Term Consequences
Dispossession of Anglo-Saxon landholders and imposition of the feudal system created resentment among the conquered population
Norman control remained contested in some regions, particularly in the north and along the Welsh Marches, where resistance and cultural differences persisted
Long-term success of Norman rule depended on the ability of William's successors to maintain and build upon the foundations he had established, which proved challenging due to dynastic conflicts and evolving political and social conditions