William IWilliam IWilliam the ConquerorWilliam the Conqueror

Became Duke of Normandy at the age Became Duke of Normandy at the age of 8.of 8.

His parents were never married, so His parents were never married, so his enemies held this against him.his enemies held this against him.

Learned to trust no one.Learned to trust no one.

10511051

Claims that Edward the Confessor Claims that Edward the Confessor promised him the throne. promised him the throne. However there was a problem However there was a problem with this.with this.

Built up a strong army over the Built up a strong army over the years, having to protect his years, having to protect his own territory.own territory.

Battle of HastingsBattle of Hastings

October 14, 1066October 14, 1066 Defeats Harold Godwinson (II) of Defeats Harold Godwinson (II) of England thanks in large part to use England thanks in large part to use of cavalryof cavalry

William is crowned King of England William is crowned King of England on Christmas Day.on Christmas Day.

New laws, heavy taxes, and misery New laws, heavy taxes, and misery follow.follow.

England became more closely tied to England became more closely tied to the rest of Europe.the rest of Europe.

Bayeux TapestryBayeux Tapestry

http://www.youtube.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDaB-NNyM8owatch?v=bDaB-NNyM8o

Domesday BookDomesday Book

William sent men out over eight William sent men out over eight months to carry out orders (in months to carry out orders (in 1086)1086)

Similar to what today?Similar to what today? Purpose then? Purpose now?Purpose then? Purpose now? Many referred to it as the Many referred to it as the Doomsday Book- why?Doomsday Book- why?

What problems are there w/ the What problems are there w/ the recordings?recordings?

Domesday BookDomesday Book

http://www.domesdaybook.co.uk/faqs.html#1

FYI- It was recorded by one FYI- It was recorded by one scribe, and checked by one scribe, and checked by one other, but that was it!other, but that was it!

Never really completed in full Never really completed in full b/c William dies in 1087b/c William dies in 1087

Domesday SampleDomesday Sample

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/domesday1.html

““For as the sentence of that strict and For as the sentence of that strict and terrible last account cannot be evaded by terrible last account cannot be evaded by any skilful subterfuge, so when this book any skilful subterfuge, so when this book is appealed to ... its sentence cannot be is appealed to ... its sentence cannot be put quashed or set aside with impunity. put quashed or set aside with impunity. That is why we have called the book 'the That is why we have called the book 'the Book of Judgment' ... because its Book of Judgment' ... because its decisions, like those of the Last decisions, like those of the Last Judgment, are unalterable.”Judgment, are unalterable.”