GCSE History: Norman England c1087–1100 – William II, Castles and the Church

This material covers the later part of the GCSE History British depth study of Norman England – for example the final sections of AQA's 'Norman England, c1066–c1100' and the end of Pearson Edexcel's 'Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88'. The Conquest, the Harrying of the North, the Revolt of the Earls, Domesday and Lanfranc's reforms are covered in the existing Norman England material in this category, and pre-Conquest society in the Anglo-Saxon England material.

You revise what happened when William I died in September 1087: Robert Curthose inherited Normandy, William Rufus England and Henry a large sum of money. You study the rebellion of 1088 led by Bishop Odo of Bayeux in support of Robert, and why it failed – William II's appeal to the English, Robert's failure to cross the Channel and the siege of Rochester. William II's reign is examined through his character, his exploitation of Church revenues and his quarrel with Archbishop Anselm, and his death in the New Forest in August 1100, when Henry moved at once to seize the treasury and the crown.

The material then looks at the Norman legacy in stone and in the Church: the change from motte-and-bailey castles to great stone keeps such as the White Tower in London and Colchester, and the rebuilding of cathedrals in the Romanesque style, with Durham Cathedral begun in 1093. You study the Normanisation of the English Church, the replacement of English bishops and abbots by Normans, the growth of Benedictine and Cluniac monasteries and the role of monks in learning.

Finally, you revise Anglo-Norman government and society: the sheriff, writs written in Latin, the forest laws, the manor and its demesne, villeins and the decline of slavery, and the use of French by the new ruling class.

The quiz tests key events and terms; the flashcards drill dates and vocabulary; the written work asks for description, explanation and a judgement about how far England changed under the Normans; and in the oral exam an examiner asks one question at a time and gives brief feedback at the end.

The material is revision practice written by Zestly and is not produced or reviewed by any exam board; check the details of your own specification with your teacher.

• Explain how William I's lands were divided in 1087 and why this caused conflict
• Explain why the rebellion of 1088 failed
• Describe William II's relations with the Church, including his quarrel with Anselm
• Describe the development of stone castles and Romanesque cathedrals and explain their purpose
• Explain how the Normans changed the English Church and monasticism
• Describe Anglo-Norman government and society, including the manor, villeins and language

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the DfE GCSE history subject content (British depth study) and the later sections of options such as AQA 'Norman England, c1066–c1100' (GCSE History 8145) and Pearson Edexcel 'Anglo-Saxon and Norman England, c1060–88'.