Early Norman England: William’s Successors

Anglo-Norman FeudalismHierarchy & Networks

William I’s Empire Divided3 Sons, 1 Daughter

William II (Rufus)CharacterRelations with Church,

Country

Henry INeed for SupportReunion of

England/NormandyRoyal Administration

StephenLikeable, but WeakCivil War; Anarchy

William and his Advisors, Bayeux Tapestry

FeudalismFeudal Structure

Land Held for Military ServicePatron Protects / Client ObeysHierarchical Society

Military Elite, Laboring PoorLord & Vassal; Homage & Fealty

Fief/Feud; Aid; ReliefBonds of Kinship, Lordship

What’s the Big Deal? (New or Old)A-S England: Hierarchical, Kin-basedNormandy: Private Networks, Obligation

Norman England: Kinship & Lordship Webs of Service Emanating from King; All Land Held by Supreme (Royal) Lord

An Empire DividedWilliam’s Lands and Issue

France, England9 Children Total

SonsRobert (Curthose)

Duchy of NormandyWilliam (Rufus)

Kingdom of EnglandHenry (Beauclerc)

£5k in Silver (Millions of $)

DaughterAdela, m. Stephen, Count Blois

North, Central France

William II (Rufus): r. 1087-1100William’s Character

Strong, Arrogant SoldierFlamboyant, FashionableHarsh in Rule, Ambitious in Land

Robert on 1st Crusade

Relations with the ChurchSeen as IrreligiousChurch Revenues (vacancies)Anselm, Abp. Canterbury

Royal-Papal Conflict; Exile, 1097

Ontological Argument

Relations with the CountryTaxation Policies; PunishmentsRanulf Flambard

Death in New Forest

A Hare and Bird, from Anselm’s Similitudines (Human Morals)

Henry I (Beauclerc): r. 1100-35Need for Support

Youngest Son of William ICurthose Returning from CrusadeGets Noble Support, WinchesterMatilda, Scottish, A-S Connection

Reunion of England/NormandyRobert’s Attempt, 1101; Bought OffNormandy Invaded

Battle of Tinchebrai, Sept 28, 1106Robert, Supporters Jailed

CharacterIntelligent, Calculating, JustStrong, but not Stupid; EnglishTemperate; Political; Fertile

Henry I, from the Chronicle of Matthew Paris (13th cent.); BL, Royal MS 14, CVII.

Henry I’s Royal Administration“The Lion of Justice”

Strict EnforcementCastration

Royal Traveling JusticesWidened Jurisdiction

Extension of Writs & ActsCenter – Localities

Financial ResourcesTaxation Heavy & FrequentThe Exchequer (Royal Audit)

Roger, Bishop of SalisburyRoyal Patronage; Stability

Administration Reaching New HeightsSurpassing Norman, A-S AchievementsA New Creation; A New England

Writ of Edward the Confessor; in Old English; Henry’s were in Latin

Stephen, r. 1135-54Death of Henry I

Son Dead; Daughter Matilda HeirMatilda m. Geoffrey, Ct. of AnjouStephen: Landholder, Favorite of H.

Nephew of Henry, via Adela

Stephen’s Claim to, Seizure of PowerDeath-bed; Noble, Church SupportFear of Female, Anjou Rule

CharacterLacked the Strong Will of Henry

Civil WarScottish Support for Matilda, 1138-9Anjou’s Attack on Normandy, 1140-2

Stephen, from Matthew Paris

Civil War in EnglandMatilda

Robert, Earl of Gloucester, ½ BrotherWestern Stronghold

StephenLondon, East BaronsEastern Stronghold

1140s: The AnarchyTit-for-Tat Battles; InstabilityPrivate Battles; Unruly NobilityWeak Central Power (lack of control)Rise of Noble Power (hereditary right)

The Rise of Henry of Anjou (Plantagenet)Son of Matilda, Charismatic, StableTreaty of Winchester, 1153

Henry II