AQA GCSE HISTORY: NORMAN ENGLAND, C1066-C1100 | ANSWERS

1 Causes of the Norman Conquest

1 How convincing is Interpretation A about William’s claim to the throne?
Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. (8)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

Interpretation A is convincing. It says that Edward the Confessor may have promised William that he could be king of England when Edward died. I know this was the reason why William said he should be king of England in 1066.

An example of a Level 2 answer

Interpretation A is quite convincing. It says that Edward the Confessor may have promised William that he could be king of England when Edward died. It is true that William had helped Edward to deal with a rebellion by the Godwins (Harold’s family). That makes the interpretation more convincing, because Edward would have needed to reward William for his help in some way. Harold also took an oath to support William’s claim to the throne on a visit to Normandy in 1064.

An example of a Level 3 answer

Interpretation A is quite convincing. It says that Edward the Confessor probably promised William that he could be king of England when Edward died. It is true that William had helped Edward to deal with a rebellion by the Godwins (Harold’s family). That makes the interpretation more convincing, because Edward would have needed to reward William for his help in some way. Harold also took an oath to support William’s claim to the throne on a visit to Normandy in 1064.

However, the interpretation also questions whether Norman sources might have just made up the story of William’s claim. Edward named Harold as his successor in 1066, not William. This makes it less likely that Edward promised William the throne, as Interpretation A says. Edward would not have wanted to break a promise to William. There is no good reason to believe William’s claim if there are no reliable sources to back it up.

An example of a Level 4 answer

Interpretation A gives a convincing evaluation of evidence for William’s claim and concludes that Edward the Confessor probably did promise William the throne. We know that William helped Edward to deal with a rebellion by the Godwins (Harold’s family). Something else that makes the interpretation convincing is that, in 1064, on a visit to Normandy, Harold swore an oath to support William’s claim to the throne. This makes sense if Harold already knew that Edward had promised William the succession and if some of Harold’s relations were already William’s hostages. Another point to support the interpretation’s conclusion is that the Pope also supported William’s claim.

Against this, however, is the fact that Edward the Confessor did not nominate William as his successor in 1066; he nominated Harold. In 1066, the Godwins were not rebelling against Edward. Instead, the Godwinsons were Edward’s earls across southern England, with Harold as Edward’s most important earl. This suggests that either Edward hadn’t made the promise, or he had but then changed his mind. The interpretation ends by saying that Edward might not have kept the promise if he had had children of his own. Edward remained childless. But what I think is most convincing is suggesting that Edward might have changed his mind about William once Harold had proven what a good king he would be.

2 Explain what was important about William’s preparations to invade England. (8)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

William brought a Papal Banner with him to England. The Papal Banner helped his troops to believe they would win. It was blessed by the Pope and showed William’s followers that God was on William’s side, which was important in medieval times.

An example of a Level 2 answer

William’s preparations to invade England were important because he needed to get his army across the Channel and be ready to fight English defenders straight away. William spent huge amounts of money buying boats and building new ones, because he had an army of 8,000 men to get across the Channel. Anglo-Saxon England had strong defences, and King Harold had gathered the largest army England had seen.

An example of a Level 3 answer

William’s preparations to invade England were important because the invasion was very risky, and without expert planning, it would almost certainly have failed. One example of William’s planning was that his troops brought a prefabricated castle with them. This was important because there was a high risk that, once the Normans had landed in England, they would be attacked by the fyrd defenders stationed along the southern coast. Without that careful preparation, the Norman invaders would have been very vulnerable to attack.

William also did a lot of preparation to make sure his followers supported his invasion. This was important because his followers knew how risky the invasion was, and without William’s preparation, they might have refused to leave Normandy. For example, the Papal Banner was an example of preparation.

An example of a Level 4 answer

William’s preparations to invade England were important because the invasion was very risky, and without expert planning, it would almost certainly have failed. One example of William’s preparation was to secure the Pope’s support for his invasion. William got this by promising to bring the old-fashioned English Church into line with the Pope’s reforms. The Pope gave William a Papal Banner. As a result of this, those who fought with William believed they were following God’s wishes and would go straight to heaven if they were killed. It was a powerful reason for people to support his campaign, and that was important for motivating William’s army to take huge risks in invading England.

Another example of William’s preparation was to ensure he had the full support of his followers. This was important because he needed them to bring their soldiers to England and then to help him get control of England. He did this by promising them land and riches in England. As a result of his careful preparations, William was able to keep an army of 8,000 men supplied during the long wait for the invasion to happen, as he prepared to get the army across the Channel (by having flat-bottomed boats built to carry the horses). William was even able to convince men from Flanders and Brittany to support him.

3 Write an account of the succession crisis that followed the death of Edward the Confessor.(8)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

King Edward the Confessor died in 1066, and it was not clear who should be king after him. The day after Edward died, Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, was made king by the Witan, but William of Normandy and Harald Hardrada of Norway both wanted the throne too. They both claimed they had rights to it.

An example of a Level 2 answer

After Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, there was a succession crisis because four men had claims to the throne. Harold Godwinson was crowned as King Harold I. Harold said that Edward had named him as his heir on his deathbed, and the Witan also supported him being king. But the others thought their claims were stronger than Harold’s. Edgar Aethling was related to Edward by blood (unlike Harold). But the Witan did not support him because he was very young. Harald Hardrada said there was a promise from an old Viking king of England that meant he should be king. William of Normandy said Edward had promised him the throne. He launched an invasion.

An example of a Level 3 answer

There were different ways in which men could become king in England in 1066: by inheritance, being chosen by the Witan, or by force. This meant that when Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 without a direct heir, there were plenty of people who had a claim to be king of England. There was a succession crisis because Edward had no children and hadn’t made it clear who he wanted to be king after him.

Harold Godwinson was on the spot when Edward died, and he acted quickly to get himself made king. He said that Edward had nominated him as his heir on his deathbed. This counted for a lot, but Harold also had the support of the Witan. The Witan could choose a new king in Anglo-Saxon England. So, effectively, Harold had two strong claims. That would probably have been enough in most situations and there wouldn’t have been a succession crisis. What complicated the succession was that Harald Hardrada and William of Normandy also had claims that they said were better than Harold’s.

An example of a Level 4 answer

The different ways in which men could become king in England in 1066 created a succession crisis that saw the end of Anglo-Saxon England. Because Edward the Confessor had no children of his own, the way was open for different claims to the throne. The main claimants were Harold Godwinson, Edgar Aethling, Harald Hardrada, and William of Normandy. Edgar Aethling’s claim was probably the strongest as he was the only one related to Edward by blood (his great-nephew). But the Witan did not back Edgar. This was probably because Edgar was very young and inexperienced, and the Witan could see that Anglo-Saxon England might need to fight against William of Normandy or Harald Hardrada.

As a result of this, Harold Godwinson got the support of the Witan. He had other strong claims to the throne: Edward had nominated him as his heir on his deathbed, he was an excellent military leader, and England’s most important earl. He was also a relation of Edward’s by marriage. He was on the spot when Edward died and acted rapidly to be crowned King Harold I on 6 January, just one day after Edward’s death. Whether or not William really had been promised the throne by Edward at some point in the 1050s, he convinced the Pope that he was the rightful successor and that Harold had broken an oath, making him unfit to be king of England. Anglo-Saxon England accepted that when claimants battled for the crown, the winner was the rightful king, and so William planned an invasion.

2 Military aspects of the Norman Conquest

1 How convincing is Interpretation A about William of Normandy’s leadership?
Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A challenges the view that William’s leadership was the main reason why the Normans won the Battle of Hastings, giving examples of William’s planning failures.
• It is true that William was very lucky: the southern fyrd had been disbanded; Hardrada invaded the north; the feigned retreat worked; Harold was killed, possibly by a random arrow.
• However, William’s leadership was a significant factor: he provoked Harold; he transported his all-important knights and horses, and prefabricated castle defences, to England; the feigned retreat, and mix of archers, infantry and cavalry, demonstrated battlefield leadership.
• William certainly was extremely lucky, but the historical evidence also suggests that his leadership was very significant.

2 Explain what was important about the Battle of Stamford Bridge. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Stamford Bridge meant that Harold was not in the south of England when William of Normandy’s invasion fleet arrived.
• Harold won a great victory, killing rival claimant Harald Hardrada and ending the Viking threat to England. His march north was a significant military achievement.
• Although Harold’s army won a great victory at Stamford Bridge, it came at great cost to Harold’s best fighters, as had the Battle of Fulford Gate for Edwin and Morcar’s forces. He had no time to rest before marching south to confront William.

3 Write an account of the ways in which William prepared for his invasion of England. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• William of Normandy’s invasion of England was extremely risky. William prepared for his invasion by reducing as many risks as possible.
• One risk was that his followers would lose trust in him and would not commit their support for the invasion. His preparations included promising them land and riches in England, and winning Papal support. William’s reputation inspired both fear and confidence.
• The invasion faced the armed forces of an entire country. His preparations included building special flat-bottomed boats that could carry horses, so his knights could bring their destriers. He spent enormous sums of money gathering weapons, armour, and provisions.

3 Establishing and maintaining control

1 How convincing is Interpretation A about challenges to William’s control of England?
Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A states that, after the rebellion at Ely, the Norman Conquest of England was complete, as there were no more significant English revolts against William.
• It is correct that there were no other major English (Anglo-Saxon) revolts against William’s control. Although some Anglo-Saxons joined the revolt of the Earls in 1075, others helped put down the revolt, such as Bishop Wulfstan of Worcester.
• The revolt of the Earls shows there were, however, further challenges to William after Ely. These challenges were backed by the constant threat of Viking invasion, and Waltheof’s initial involvement shows continuing Anglo-Saxon dissent.
• Overall, the interpretation is convincing regarding the major Anglo-Saxon rebellions against William’s control. But it is less convincing about other kinds of opposition.

2 Explain what was important about the Harrying of the North. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• One reason why the Harrying of the North was important was that it showed a change in how William responded to Anglo-Saxon rebellions.
• The Harrying ended the Viking threat because the Danes never again found support for uprisings in Yorkshire. This was perhaps because no survivors dared to risk rebelling against the Normans again. There was no food or shelter left for rebel fighters to use.
• The Harrying also tells us important things about William, because we know he regretted what happened and saw it as a great sin that thousands died from starvation.

3 Write an account of how William of Normandy won the Battle of Hastings. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• William had his forces harry Wessex, spurring Harold to leave London before his reinforcements arrived. The English forces were still exhausted from their march south and smaller than they might have been.
• Around 2:00pm, a rumour spread that William had been killed, following his allies from Brittany fleeing the field. William tipped back his helmet to show he was alive. As a result, he could reassure his troops and motivate them.
• After William’s archers and cavalry had failed to break the Saxon shield wall, William changed tactics, combining his different forces. The Normans employed feigned retreats successfully to break up Harold’s forces and isolate them.

4 Feudalism and government

1 How convincing is Interpretation A about changes to English government systems after the Norman Conquest?
Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A states that very few changes were made to English government systems after the Norman Conquest: the Normans accepted Anglo-Saxon laws and customs.
• Evidence to support this: William used earls and bishops to help him govern; he kept the system of shires, shire reeves, and shire courts; he consulted with the Witan.
• Evidence of change: William replaced Anglo-Saxon officials with Normans; honorial courts took over from shire courts; new laws were introduced. The biggest change was William’s use of the feudal system, which he developed from the existing system and exploited.
• The interpretation is convincing in saying that very few changes were made, as the Normans mostly evolved existing systems.

2 Explain what was important about the Domesday Book. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The Domesday Book told William who his tenants were and how much land they held. As a result, William could work out how much tax and military service he was owed.
• Legalising land ownership meant some Anglo-Saxons got land back that had been seized by Normans. This showed that William was ruling for everyone, not just Normans.
• The record of tenants was used in August 1086 when William made his most important ones swear loyalty to him, increasing his control over them.

3 Write an account of how William changed his responses to revolts, 1067–1075. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• William responded to the revolt of earls Edwin and Morcar by returning from Normandy, leading an army north, and building castles in Warwick and Nottingham. This ended the revolt quickly. Edwin and Morcar surrendered, and William pardoned them both.
• William’s response changed with the rebellions in the North. His response showed no mercy: William’s Harrying of the North was unusually brutal and excessive.
• By 1071, William could rely on support from Anglo-Saxons. His response was to punish the individuals: William did not order any harrying of Ely or the surrounding areas, nor do we hear of any punishment of local populations in 1075.

5 Economic and social changes and their consequences

1 How convincing is Interpretation A about the purpose of the Forest Laws?
Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A states that, although the main purpose of Forest Laws was to protect hunting areas for the king, the laws were also an important source of royal income.
• Forest Laws banned hunting, having weapons or dogs, cutting down trees, and clearing land. Local nobles could pay a fee to hunt, which shows that the primary purpose was financial. This is reflected in the heavy use of fines as punishments.
• Punishments also included mutilation. Mutilation did not bring in money but served to warn others of the brutal consequences of breaking the Forest Laws. This shows that the laws were mainly aimed at controlling the Anglo-Saxon population and restricting their ability to rebel.
• The interpretation is very convincing because fines were more common punishments. However, control was also a significant purpose.

2 Explain what was important about patronage in Norman England. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Patronage was used to reward loyalty. As the owner of all the land, William could give it out to his loyal followers and take it away from anyone who rebelled against him.
• It held society together. Everyone knew their place and what services they owed to their lord, which put William as king at the top of the hierarchy.
• It increased England’s military strength. Each piece of land carried with it a specific number of knights to be provided for the king in times of war. It meant William did not have to maintain an army of knights himself, which would have been very expensive.

3 Write an account of how villages changed under the Normans. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Many Norman lords treated villages as a source of income, increasing rents and taxes. This made life harder. The Normans freed enslaved Anglo-Saxons, who were granted plots of land. But villeins were still considered the property of their lord.
• French settlers came over with the Normans, making a few villages more diverse (though they mostly lived in towns). However, their arrival also led to conflicts with Anglo-Saxons.
• The Forest Laws protected animals so only the king and his followers could hunt them. The Forest Laws were hated by villagers, who had relied on hunting to get them through the winter and on firewood from trees for fuel.

6 The Church

1 How convincing is Interpretation A about reasons for Norman reforms of the English Church?
Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A states that Norman reforms of the English Church were part of a rejection by William of any ‘Anglo-Norman partnership’ in how he governed England. His reforms were also for profit.
• William did replace Anglo-Saxons as Church leaders: by 1080, there was only one Anglo-Saxon bishop left. The Italian Lanfranc was appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury. His reforms rejected Anglo-Saxon traditions and practices, and English treasure and money were taken back to Normandy.
• William gained the Pope’s support for his invasion by promising to make reforms to the Church. Lanfranc restructured Church organisation and tackled abuses such as pluralism. William also reintroduced Peter’s pence. However, as most Anglo-Saxon priests stayed, the experience of most peasants changed little.
• The Normans targeted the wealth of the English Church from the start of the invasion. That makes the interpretation convincing. However, their removal of high-ranking Anglo-Saxons could be considered part of Lanfranc’s genuine reform of the Church.

2 Explain what was important about towns in Norman England. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• William wanted to encourage trade and so granted franchises to many towns. Trade increased because of the Normans’ continental connections.
• The Normans gave legal protections and permission to travel to townspeople. Towns developed an urban elite of merchants and lawyers who became community leaders.
• Merchants and craftsmen in towns organised themselves into guilds. Some guilds became powerful and made their towns more influential.

3 Write an account of how the Normans changed the English Church. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• William secured Papal support by promising to reform the English Church. These reforms targeted long-standing problems such as pluralism, simony, and priests getting married. Dioceses were divided into archdeaconries and deaneries to ensure they carried out reforms.
• Other changes were designed to increase Norman control over England. Normans replaced Anglo-Saxons as Church leaders, and bishops and abbots had to swear loyalty to William.
• The Normans looted treasure and extracted money from the English Church, taking it to Normandy. However, the Normans also spent large amounts of money rebuilding English cathedrals and churches in the popular Romanesque style.

7 Monasticism

1 How convincing is Interpretation A about Norman reforms of monasticism?
Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Interpretation A states that the Normans made a positive contribution to monasticism in England.
• In support: new and spectacular abbeys were built in Romanesque style by the Normans (for example, Whitby Abbey), as well as more monasteries and nunneries. Normans made generous donations to English monasteries and introduced new monastic orders and reforms.
• Against: the Normans taxed monasteries heavily and many treasures were taken back to Normandy. There were land grabs, some of which were recorded by the Domesday Survey.
• While the interpretation is convincing about the positives of the Norman reforms, it ignores several negatives of the Norman reforms that makes it less convincing overall.

2 Explain what was important about the Norman reforms of the English legal system. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Brutal punishments such as mutilations were replaced by fines. This was important because it helped the Normans raise money and made English law more like laws in Normandy. Murdrum fines punished attacks on Normans and Forest Laws introduced further fines.
• Criminals no longer compensated injured families; now, they paid fines to the government. This was important because the Anglo-Saxon system led to feuds between families. The Norman system helped to stop this cycle of violence.
• Laws were written down in Latin. This was important because it made the law more consistent across the country: decisions could be based on what had been decided before.

3 Write an account of how monasticism in England changed under the Normans. (8)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The Normans were very critical of the ways in which monks and nuns had drifted away from strict religious lives in Anglo-Saxon England. Lanfranc’s reforms reinforced the rules of Saint Benedict: poverty, chastity, and obedience.
• Anglo-Saxon abbots were replaced by Normans so that by 1086, only three Anglo-Saxon abbots remained. However, it is likely that in many monasteries the monks themselves and their staff were mainly English.
• The Norman reforms re-energised monasticism in England with massive investment in new buildings. Norman individuals also changed monasticism by inviting orders of monks to come to England. They set up new communities, such as the Cluniac monks.

8 Historic Environment: Durham Cathedral

1 ‘Religious belief was the main reason for building cathedrals in Norman England.’
How far does a study of Durham Cathedral support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Durham Cathedral and your contextual knowledge. (16)

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An example of a Level 1 answer

People were very religious in Norman times and the main reason why Normans built cathedrals like Durham Cathedral was for religious reasons. For example, to give a large number of people a place to come together to praise God.

An example of a Level 2 answer

Durham Cathedral was rebuilt by the Normans between 1093 and 1133. It was built for a community of Benedictine monks to worship in, using the quire area where they sat. That shows that the main reason was religious belief because the monks were men who had dedicated their lives to God. They spent all day and a lot of the night praying. The Normans thought this would be very good for everyone, especially if the monks also prayed for leading Normans who felt guilty after the Harrying of the North.

An example of a Level 3 answer

Religious reasons were very important in explaining why Normans built cathedrals such as Durham Cathedral. Durham Cathedral was built as a monastic cathedral for a community of Benedictine monks on the orders of William St Calais. The Norman reform of monasticism in England was all about religious belief and making monasticism purer and less connected with everyday life. That was reflected in the design of Durham Cathedral, which had special areas (the quire) for monks to worship in. The order of monks that Durham Cathedral was built for, the Benedictines, lived according to strict religious rules that Normans like William of St Calais approved of.

Another factor was that the Normans built cathedrals to impress and control the local population. They used a very magnificent architectural style called the Romanesque style. This was designed to inspire awe in Norman culture and building skills and be visible for miles around. Examples of Romanesque style at Durham Cathedral are its rounded arches, wide aisles, high ceilings, and the symmetrical patterns decorating the round columns. It showed the Normans were here to stay.

An example of a Level 4 answer

Religious belief was an extremely important reason for the building of cathedrals in Norman England. Durham Cathedral was rebuilt between 1093 and 1133 to replace the Anglo-Saxon church on the same site that housed the remains of St Cuthbert. The Normans did not always respect Anglo-Saxon saints, but in the case of St Cuthbert, they did. He continued to be a centre of worship in the new Durham Cathedral, showing the importance of religious belief for the cathedral’s construction. It was built for a community of Benedictine monks. The Normans valued monks such as the Benedictines, who lived according to strict religious rules. This put religion and worship of God at the centre of monastic life, and Durham Cathedral was built as a home for this pure devotion to religion.

However, the Normans did have other reasons for constructing cathedrals. For example, cathedrals were built in locations and on a scale designed to strike awe into the local people and any would-be rebels or invaders and show very clearly that God was on the Normans’ side, and that Normans were fully in control. Durham is located in the Marcher border regions between England and Scotland, which had seen rebellions against William and invasions from Scotland. The cathedral was built on a massive scale, next to a castle, on high ground inside a defensible bend of the River Wear. It was visible from many miles away. And the bishop of Durham, called the Prince Bishop, had the powers of a Marcher lord to raise an army to defend Norman control.

Even the religious reasons may not have been completely religious: St Cuthbert is an example. He was a very popular Anglo-Saxon saint and people travelled on pilgrimages to worship at his shrine. As a Prince Bishop and Marcher lord, Durham’s bishop needed money to raise an army when called upon. He also controlled taxes and minting coins. So, continuing with the worship of St Cuthbert in Durham Cathedral meant lots of money for Durham from pilgrims.

In conclusion, religious belief was the main reason for the construction of Durham Cathedral. The original church was not grand enough or modern enough to properly glorify God, and it was not a suitable home for the new monastic order who were part of the Norman Church reforms.

2 ‘The main purpose of Norman cathedrals was to impress the English.’
How far does a study of Durham Cathedral support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Durham Cathedral and your contextual knowledge. (16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• The location of Durham Cathedral is significant: built on high ground so it was visible for miles and constructed on a massive scale, within a rebellious area in the Marcher border regions.
• Built next to a castle, Durham’s bishop was given the title Prince Bishop and the power to raise an army: there was a close relationship between the Cathedral and keeping control.
• The religious purpose of Norman Cathedrals was also very significant. The importance of Norman reforms of the English Church is seen in Durham Cathedral’s intended use by a community of Benedictine monks.
• Overall, the main reason for building a cathedral is likely to be a religious one, but there are certainly many ways in which Durham Cathedral was also designed to impress the English.

9 Historic Environment: Pevensey Castle

1 ‘During the Norman period, the main consequences of castle building were economic.’
How far does a study of Pevensey Castle support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Pevensey Castle and your contextual knowledge. (16)

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A sample answer at Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 is provided for the question about the Historic Environment: Durham Cathedral.

Relevant points that could be included

• Pevensey Castle had important economic consequences. The security provided by the castle encouraged trade. The Domesday Book shows the town grew rapidly after the castle was constructed.
• Another consequence was intimidating the local population and providing a secure base for a garrison of troops. Robert of Mortain added a stone keep and three guard towers, making its high walls even more impressive.
• There were other military consequences. Robert of Mortain was one of the rebels against William II. He retreated to Pevensey Castle when William raised an army against the rebels. Robert of Mortain was able to withstand a siege in the castle for six weeks.
• Overall, the economic consequences of castle building, although significant, were probably not as important as the security that castles continued to give the Normans long after they were constructed.

2 ‘The main change that Norman castle building in Britain brought was allowing the Normans to deal with the threat of rebellion.’
How far does a study of Pevensey Castle support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Pevensey Castle and your contextual knowledge. (16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Pevensey Castle was initially constructed to support the Norman invasion rather than to deal with the threat of rebellion. This was different from the castles that William built as he travelled north in 1068 to deal with rebellion. Pevensey Castle did become central to Norman control over Sussex.
• Pevensey Castle had important economic consequences. The security provided by the castle encouraged trade. The Domesday Book shows the town grew rapidly after the castle was constructed. Robert of Mortain invested in Pevensey Castle’s construction.
• Rather than dealing with the threat of rebellion, Pevensey Castle actually became a centre of rebellion when its owner, Robert of Mortain, rebelled against William II. Pevensey Castle was so secure that the rebels withstood a siege by William II’s army for six weeks.
• Overall, the construction of castles did indeed allow the Normans to deal effectively with the threat of rebellion. Pevensey Castle is not a typical Norman castle, though, and it indicates that other significant changes resulted from castle building as well.

10 Historic Environment: Battle of Hastings

1 ‘Luck was the main reason for success in battle during the Norman period.’
How far does a study of the Battle of Hastings support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to the Battle of Hastings and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

A sample answer at Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 is provided for the question about the Historic Environment: Durham Cathedral.

Relevant points that could be included

• The Battle of Hastings shows William’s luck contributed to his victory. For example, getting across the Channel despite storms, landing at Pevensey with no opposition, and facing a tired Anglo-Saxon army that hadn’t waited for reinforcements. Equally, Harold was unlucky in facing two invasions so close together and in being killed at Hastings.
• William planned flat-bottomed boats to bring the horses his knights relied on, but they were unable to make much impression on the Anglo-Saxon shield wall. He brought a prefabricated castle with him to defend his invasion force at Pevensey, but it was not required.
• William showed his skills and experience as a military leader: rallying his troops by tipping back his helmet, ordering different combinations of his troops until a winning formula was found, and perhaps ordering the feigned retreats that depleted the Anglo-Saxon shield wall. Being on foot, Harold was less able to respond to developments on the battlefield.
• Perhaps the Battle of Hastings was a turning point in battles in the Norman period. William’s military skills and reputation were feared, which suggests they were more important than luck.

2 ‘The main reason for William’s military victories was his skill as a leader.’
How far does a study of the Battle of Hastings support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to the Battle of Hastings and your contextual knowledge. (16)

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Relevant points that could be included

• Feigned retreats may have been the critical factor in William’s victory. William had used feigned retreats in Sicily; they required a lot of skilful leadership to pull off convincingly. William also worked out the best combination of troops and tactics to achieve victory.
• Luck played a large part in the Battle of Hastings, including the timing of Hardrada’s invasion in the North and Harold being struck by an arrow. Even the feigned retreats needed luck. William was very fortunate to cross the Channel safely and unopposed.
• Poor leadership by King Harold also played a part. Harold did not need to rush down to Hastings to engage with William; he could have waited for reinforcements. Being on foot, Harold was also less able to respond to developments on the battlefield.
• Overall, William’s leadership skills were critical to his military victories. Perhaps part of his skill was riding his luck and using chance events to his advantage.

11 Historic Environment: The White Tower

1 ‘The main purpose of Norman castles was defence.’
How far does a study of the White Tower support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to the White Tower and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

A sample answer at Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 is provided for the question about the Historic Environment: Durham Cathedral.

Relevant points that could be included

• The White Tower has many defensive features, for example, massive stone walls, sunken wooden roof, etc. It replaced an earlier wooden castle and was located in a defensive position on a bend in the River Thames.
• The White Tower had more features than most motte and bailey castles, which point to other purposes. Its banqueting hall (second floor) and rooms for noble guests points to its importance as a place for diplomacy and government.
• It was also built as a royal residence, with a council chamber and king’s bed chamber on the fourth floor. This argues for its defensive role being secondary to a role as a centre for government and administration in London.
• The White Tower was clearly well suited to defence but, more than a standard motte and bailey that was focused on defence, the Tower was a multi-purpose royal residence.

2 ‘The main purpose of Norman castles was to intimidate the local population.’
How far does a study of the White Tower support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to the White Tower and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

Relevant points that could be included

• The White Tower was certainly constructed to impress. Its walls would have towered over London. It was decorated with specially imported stone from Caen. London had supplied King Harold I with soldiers; William would have wanted a symbol of Norman dominance there.
• It was a military building: an armoury on the second floor contained weapons, and soldiers were housed on the first floor. There was a garrison of soldiers in place who would be used to suppress any signs of unrest amongst London’s population.
• The White Tower also contained a chapel, a banqueting hall, and a royal residence. It was constructed as a stronghold for Normans to shelter in if the population refused to be intimidated.
• Overall, its construction was designed to show the English that the Normans were here to stay.

12 Historic Environment: Castle Acre Priory

1 ‘The main reason that Normans built monasteries was to promote religious reform.’
How far does a study of Castle Acre Priory support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Castle Acre Priory and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

A sample answer at Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 is provided for the question about the Historic Environment: Durham Cathedral.

Relevant points that could be included

• Castle Acre Priory was established as a Cluniac Priory by William de Warenne and his son. The Cluniacs were known for strictly following the rules of St Benedict, a key feature of Norman reform of the monasteries. De Warenne and his wife visited Cluny in 1077 and were impressed with their high standards.
• Normans like de Warenne worried about what would happen to them after they died. De Warenne wanted his monks to pray for him after he had died, and that would also have been an important factor in why Castle Acre Priory was built.
• Castle Acre Priory was built close to Castle Acre castle. Normans invested in religious buildings for their own religious reasons, but also to prove to the conquered population that God was on the side of the Normans. So religious buildings also had the role of control.
• Castle Acre Priory shows that religious reform and symbolism were the key reasons for building monasteries, but there were also more selfish and political reasons.

2 ‘The main change that monastery building demonstrated was that Normans were now in control.’
How far does a study of Castle Acre Priory support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Castle Acre Priory and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

Relevant points that could be included

• Monasteries were often important landholders. Putting allies in control of monasteries like Castle Acre Priory was an important part of the Norman Conquest. By 1086, only three Anglo-Saxon abbots remained. All abbots had to swear an oath of loyalty to William.
• The Normans imported their favourite Romanesque style to England, and used it to build or rebuild religious buildings across England. They were built to inspire awe in the population: to demonstrate Norman superiority and that they were here to stay. Castle Acre Priory is an example of this, showing how God was on their side.
• Monastery building did have other purposes, especially religious reform. Monasteries like Castle Acre Priory were designed to be different from Anglo-Saxon monasteries, which Normans were very critical of. Castle Acre Priory was built for Cluniac monks.
• Castle Acre priory shows that local control was a key aspect of building monasteries, as was the linked aim of displaying Norman prowess and divine favour to the populace. But they were also important centres for Church reform.

13 Historic Environment: Yorkshire after the Norman Conquest

1 ‘Landholding was the main method by which the Normans maintained control of England.’
How far does a study of Yorkshire after the Norman Conquest support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Yorkshire after the Norman Conquest and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

A sample answer at Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 is provided for the question about the Historic Environment: Durham Cathedral.

Relevant points that could be included

• Landholding was a key method for maintaining Norman control of England: the Domesday Book shows that, by 1086, only 13 of 1,000 tenants-in-chief had Anglo-Saxon names. In Yorkshire, 90% was divided up between the king and 25 tenants-in-chief.
• The Harrying shows another method in which Normans maintained control: by military force. It was William’s response to serious threats to his control of northern England. The Harrying led to a famine that killed 100,000 people.
• Religion was another method of control evident in Yorkshire. The Normans invested massive amounts in religious buildings, for example York Minster, St Mary’s Abbey, and 40 new churches in York. Religion was an important way to influence the population.
• Landholding was but one of three key methods used by the Normans to control England; the Harrying of the North showed that brute force was also used.

2 ‘The main changes in Norman England were in towns and cities not villages.’
How far does a study of Yorkshire after the Norman Conquest support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Yorkshire after the Norman Conquest and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

Relevant points that could be included

• Life in the English countryside continued largely as before for most peasants. The Harrying of the North makes Yorkshire less typical of some other parts of England, however, since this did have a catastrophic impact on villages across Yorkshire.
• There were major changes in towns. The Normans were very interested in England’s wealth, and towns were where trade was carried out and taxed. In York, King William established a new marketplace and took direct control over fairs in the city.
• Towns and cities also had new buildings, including castles, churches, and cathedrals. For example, in York, two castles were constructed (guarding the River Ouse), the York Minster was rebuilt, and a new abbey and 40 churches were constructed.
• There were major changes to towns and cities as the Normans focused their rebuilding in urban areas. However, in Yorkshire, at least, there were dramatic changes in local villages.

14 Historic Environment: Wales and the Norman Conquest

1 ‘The main reason for castle building during the Norman period was to impress.’
How far does a study of Wales and the Norman Conquest support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Wales and the Norman Conquest and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

A sample answer at Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 is provided for the question about the Historic Environment: Durham Cathedral.

Relevant points that could be included

• Because of their construction and strategic locations, castles were a constant reminder of Norman control: they were built to impress. William ordered Cardiff Castle to be built, and an awe-inspiring stone hall was added to Chepstow castle, to impress Rhys Tudor (Rhys-ap-Tewdwr) as his overlord.
• The castles of the Marcher earldoms were built less to impress than to allow the Norman colonisers to survive. They had a key defensive role. The colonisers looked to their Marcher earls to build castles to defend them.
• The Marcher earls encouraged land grabs in Wales and also used castles to secure their stolen land. The earls brought settlers in from across the Channel to force Welsh farmers off their land. Montgomery Castle was built on land seized in Wales by the earl.
• If the main reason for their construction was to impress the Welsh, castles were not successful. William II failed to gain control and by 1100 was pushed out of north and south-west Wales.

2 ‘The main reason for the Marcher earldoms was to defend England’s borders.’
How far does a study of Wales and the Norman Conquest support this statement?
Explain your answer. You should refer to Wales and the Norman Conquest and your contextual knowledge. (16)

Mark scheme

Relevant points that could be included

• The borderlands between England and Wales were a lawless area where rebel Anglo-Saxons could hide and find support. For example, in Eadric the Wild’s rebellion in 1067, the castles had a critical defensive role. The colonisers looked to their Marcher earls to build castles to defend them.
• However, the Marcher earls were not just guarding the border from their castles. They encouraged people to come and colonise the Marches, not only English people but also settlers from across the English Channel. So, the Marcher earldoms were about colonising the Marches and bringing them fully under Norman control.
• They also built the castles to impress. Because of their construction and strategic locations, castles were a constant reminder of Norman control. William ordered Cardiff Castle to be built, and an awe-inspiring stone hall was added to Chepstow Castle to impress Rhys Tudor (Rhys-ap-Tewdwr) as his overlord.
• Wales in the Norman Conquest shows that castles were about defence. Colonisation and impressing the Welsh both worked to support this, reducing the threat of trouble.