Chapter 1: The Normans - Conquest and Control

Allegiance

The loyalty of a citizen or subject to their government or king.

Danegeld

A tax raised to pay the Vikings (often Danish) to stop them from plundering from England.

Earldoms

The land owned by earls.

Fealty

loyalty

Illegitimate

A child born to unmarried parents.

Sub-regulus

Literally ‘below the king’ but meaning acting as the king’s deputy.

Wessex

The richest part of England and an earldom controlled by the Godwin family prior to the Conquest.

Witan

Members of the national council in England advising the king before the Norman Conquest.

Fyrd

Working men, mainly peasants, called to serve the king in times of trouble.

Housecarl

The household troops or bodyguard of English kings.

Thegn

A nobleman in Anglo-Saxon culture.

Vassal

A person granted the use of land, in return for promising to be loyal. In addition they usually provided military service or its equivalent to a lord VERNACU LAR: the native language.

Papal banner

A flag given by the Pope to show that a mission had h is, and therefore, God's blessing.

Hauberks

Chain mail protection - a shirt reaching at least to mid-thigh and including sleeves.

Barons

An important lord in the Feudal System.

Besieged

To surround a place with armed forces in order to capture it or force its surrender.

Burhs

Fortified settlement established to protect towns against Viking invasion.

Conciliatory

Doing something with intention of goodwill.

Disinherited

Preventing someone from inheriting another's property or title.

Domain

An area of territory owned or controlled by a particular ruler or government.

Domesday Book

A record of a survey of the lands of England, giving ownership, size, and value of the properties.

Garrison

The troops stationed in a castle or town to defend it.

Harrying of the North

The brutal slaughter and pillaging of the North by William the Conquer and his army.

Legitimacy

Having the right to do something (e.g. rule England).

Patronage

The power to control appointments to office or the right to privileges such as holding land.

Plunder

To steal.

Motte and bailey

A castle with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, surrounded by an enclosed courtyard.

Royal writs

A formal written order, issued by the king. Essentially a new law.

Treasury

Where the funds of the government (i.e. the king) are kept.