How did William try to establish control of England?

How did William try to establish control of England?

1. Feudal System

   • King: Gives land to Barons
     • Barons: Provides money and knights for the Kings and gives land to the Knights
       • Knights: Provides protection and military service and gives land to Peasants
         • Peasants: Provides food and services when demanded

2. Harrying of the North

   • Who?
     • William the Conquerer
     • Anglo-Danish rebels
     • Edgar the Aethling- blood claim to the throne
   • Why?
     • People tried to rebel against William
   • Where?
     • North of England
   • When?
     • Winter
     • Ended 1070
     • Started in 1069
   • What?
     • William ordered people to be killed
     • Series of campaigns
     • Done to control Northern England

3. Motte and Bailey Castles

   • Keep- Where taxes would be stored
   • Motte: To raise the keep
   • Stockade/ Bailey Wall: To defend against attackers
   • Bailey: Where knights would be trained
   • Moat: To deter attackers
   • Bridge: Lowered and Raised easily

4. Domesday Book

   • Manuscript record of the great survey of England and parts of Wales
   • It was written in Latin and contains info on animals, land, free men and slaves etc..
   • Introduced to the people in 1086 and was commissioned by William
   • Handwritten by 1 scribe and checked by another, written to assess the extend of the land and resources being owned in England at the time
   • Effect:William found out the extent of the taxes he could raise, people didn't necessarily like it though
   • Finished in 1086. William died before it was finished though