Late Anglo-Saxon England, c1053-66
Key Figures and Social Structure
- Edward the Confessor reintroduced the old line of West Saxon kings, but was more Norman than English in culture, having been raised in Normandy.
- The Witan Council was a formal assembly summoned by the king, consisting of senior clerics, ealdormen, and other members of the ruling class.
- Earls were the highest rank of the aristocracy, below the royal family. They held large landholdings and had military responsibilities.
- Thegns were lower nobility who held land from the King and were noted for their military service.
- The Housecarls were professional soldiers who were personal bodyguards of the King and upper nobility.
- The Fyrd was an army raised from freemen who would serve in war at the request of the King.
Religion and Church
- The Church was one of the most important institutions in Anglo-Saxon England, controlling education and helping to spread Christianity.
- The role of monasteries increased and institutions such as the Abbeys of Glastonbury and Westminster were noted for their wealth and influence.
- Archbishops Stigand and Robert of Jumièges played influential roles in politics and religion.
Economic and Agricultural Progress
- The Domesday Book recorded the widespread use of heavy ploughs, facilitating increased agricultural productivity.
- There was a significant growth in international trade notably with Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Byzantine empire. English coinage, particularly the silver penny, was in great demand.
- Towns grew and prospered, leading to the growth of a merchant class.
Political Crisis and Succession Issue
- Edward the Confessor's failure to produce an heir led to a succession crisis.
- Several individuals, including Harold Godwinson, William Duke of Normandy, and Harald Hardrada, claimed the English throne.
- Harold Godwinson's election by the Witan as king led to invasions by both the Normans and the Norwegians.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge and The Battle of Hastings
- The Battle of Stamford Bridge saw King Harold Godwinson successfully repel an invasion from Harald Hardrada of Norway.
- The Battle of Hastings, occurring shortly after Stamford Bridge, resulted in Harold Godwinson's death and William Duke of Normandy seizing the English throne. It marked the start of the Norman conquest of England.