The Norman Conquest, 1065-1087

    OCR
    GCSE

    This study covers the seismic political, social, and cultural transformation of England following the death of Edward the Confessor. It necessitates a rigorous analysis of the succession crisis, the military mechanics of the invasion, and the subsequent consolidation of Norman power. Candidates must evaluate the extent of change from Anglo-Saxon structures to the Anglo-Norman feudal system, the reform of the Church under Lanfranc, and the brutal suppression of resistance. Mastery requires balancing the narrative of conquest with an assessment of continuity in local government and the economy.

    10
    Objectives
    8
    Exam Tips
    8
    Pitfalls
    6
    Key Terms
    8
    Mark Points

    Subtopics in this area

    The Norman Conquest, 1065-1087
    The Norman Conquest, 1065-1087

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • The succession crisis of 1066 involving Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy, and Harald Hardrada.
    • The specific tactical shift at Hastings: the feigned retreat.
    • The Harrying of the North (1069-70) resulting in over 100,000 deaths and wasteland classification in Domesday.
    • Archbishop Lanfranc's reforms: synods, removal of married clergy, and separation of church courts.
    • The Revolt of the Earls (1075) marking the end of significant Anglo-Saxon resistance.
    • The specific movements of Harold Godwinson's troops from Stamford Bridge to Hastings.
    • The strategic function of the earldoms of Hereford, Shrewsbury, and Chester (The Marcher Earldoms).
    • The details of the Revolt of the Earls (1075) involving Ralph de Gael and Roger de Breteuil.
    • The legal changes introduced by Normans, specifically the introduction of the Murdrum Fine.
    • The role of Archbishop Lanfranc in reforming the English Church and establishing synods.

    Example Examiner Feedback

    Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

    • "You have described the event accurately; now explain how this event directly caused the subsequent change in William's policy."
    • "Your analysis of the interpretation is valid, but you need to use specific factual knowledge (dates, names) to substantiate your agreement or disagreement."
    • "Avoid storytelling. Every paragraph must address the specific focus of the question (e.g., 'control' or 'resistance')."
    • "You identified the feature of the castle; now explain its strategic advantage in the context of the 1069 rebellions."
    • "You have identified the feature in the interpretation; now explain what specific message the author is trying to convey about the Normans."
    • "Your knowledge of the Harrying is accurate, but you need to link it explicitly to the question of 'control' rather than just describing the violence."
    • "In your comparison, move beyond surface differences (e.g., 'one is a drawing, one is text') to differences in the historical view presented."
    • "Strengthen your judgment by explaining why the military factors were more decisive than the luck factors at Hastings."

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Award marks for precise deployment of second-order concepts (causation, consequence, change) rather than narrative description.
    • Credit responses that explicitly link the construction of motte-and-bailey castles to the suppression of specific rebellions (e.g., Exeter, York).
    • High-level answers must distinguish between the immediate military impact of the Harrying of the North and its long-term economic devastation recorded in the Domesday Book.
    • In interpretation questions, candidates must evaluate *why* historians differ (provenance, focus, date) rather than just identifying differences.
    • Award marks for precise identification of the historian's view in Interpretation questions, not just summarizing the content.
    • Credit responses that use specific contextual knowledge (e.g., the specific terms of the Treaty of Berkhamsted) to validate or challenge an interpretation.
    • In 'Explain' questions, candidates must demonstrate the mechanism of causation—how the building of castles specifically led to military dominance.
    • High-level responses must distinguish between the short-term brutality of the Harrying of the North and its long-term demographic impact.

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡For 'Write an account' questions, structure your response chronologically but focus on *causal links* between events (e.g., how the Revolt of the Earls led to changes in land ownership).
    • 💡When analyzing interpretations, explicitly identify the historian's central argument in the first sentence before deploying own knowledge to support or challenge it.
    • 💡Use the 'Factor-Evidence-Explanation' model for 10-mark questions to ensure depth; cite specific examples like the revolt of Hereward the Wake.
    • 💡Do not waste time describing the Battle of Hastings in questions asking about the *consolidation* of power after 1066.
    • 💡For the 3-mark Interpretation question, use the 'Identify and Explain' formula: State the view clearly, then quote the text or describe the image feature that supports it.
    • 💡In the 18-mark essay, ensure your judgment is sustained throughout. Do not save your opinion for the conclusion; let it drive the structure of your paragraphs.
    • 💡When asked about 'significance', consider different perspectives: significance for the Norman conquerors versus the Anglo-Saxon peasantry.
    • 💡Allocate strictly 1.5 minutes per mark. The Interpretation section requires deep thinking, so do not rush the reading time.

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Conflating the events of the Battle of Stamford Bridge with the Battle of Hastings.
    • Describing the Feudal System as a static hierarchy without explaining the 'service for land' exchange mechanism.
    • Asserting that William destroyed the Anglo-Saxon Church entirely, ignoring the retention of some existing structures prior to Lanfranc's reforms.
    • Treating interpretations as 'sources' to be tested for reliability rather than historical arguments to be evaluated.
    • Confusing the features of Motte and Bailey castles with later Stone Keep castles when discussing 1066-1087.
    • Describing the events of the Battle of Hastings narratively rather than analyzing the decisive factors (luck, tactics, leadership).
    • Failing to address the specific 'enquiry' in the Interpretation questions, instead writing a generic source evaluation.
    • Asserting that the feudal system was entirely new, ignoring the pre-existing Anglo-Saxon administrative structures utilized by William.

    Study Guide Available

    Comprehensive revision notes & examples

    Read Study Guide

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Write an account
    Explain
    How far
    Study
    Why
    Describe
    Identify and explain
    Compare
    Explain why
    How far do you agree
    How convincing
    Evaluate

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic