Paper 2 Section B/A: Norman England, c1066–c1100

June 2022

Q1: How convincing is Interpretation A about what happened after the death of

Edward the Confessor? Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretation A.

Answer:

For example, the interpretation is convincing because the Witan were a group of nobles and leading churchmen who could suggest an heir or be guided by the dead king’s wishes. But the method of choosing the next king was not certain and no wonder Duke William was shocked as he thought that he had Harold’s support when he took an oath to support his claim in 1064. Harold Godwinson said it was only a personal oath, not to William as King of England, and he was a prisoner of William at the time so he was threatened. more than one aspect of the interpretation. For example, the interpretation is convincing because the prospect of invading England was a dangerous one. He would have to assemble an invasion fleet, and troops and make sure that while he was away Normandy was not invaded by his European enemies. And he had to get people on his side which he did when the Pope supported his claim and invasion as a holy war. For example, it is true that Harold was the most important earl in England as the Earl of Wessex he was a deputy king for Edward and also his brother-in- law. He expected to be king. For example, it is true that William was a successful and brutal warrior in conquering Maine in 1048/49 when, insulted by the citizens of Alencon, he cut off their hands and feet. He had to keep up this fearsome reputation. Answers may show understanding/support for interpretation, but the case is For example, Edgar was Edward the Confessor’s nearest blood relative. But he was only a child in 1066. He had no money and no soldiers.

Q2: Explain what was important about castle building in Norman England.

Answer:

the consequences of the stated development (Norman castle building) in the For example, what was important about Norman Castle building was that it had a strategic and symbolic purpose. The Anglo-Saxons had fortifications but nothing like the castles which the Normans built. In many towns they had to destroy the existing houses to make space for their castle and taxed the English to pay for them. So, there was clearly a shock to the English in seeing these new structures in which their conqueror’s army lived and every day were a continual reminder that Anglo-Saxons had been beaten. For example, what was important about the castles the Normans built was that they showed their control and the suppression of the Anglo-Saxons. They built castles at important places for example where rebellions took place such as in Exeter. Or they built them to guard the borders with Wales and Scotland, and river crossings such as York. The Norman castles were a reminder to the Anglo-Saxons about who was in charge. the identified consequences, supporting by factual knowledge and For example, the Normans used castles to control England they were a base from which to patrol the area and protected them from hostile locals. The Normans built wooden castles until the 1070s after which they added stone For example, the Normans built motte and bailey castles as they conquered the country. These were made of wood and then stone.

Q3: Write an account of the ways in which the lives of English villagers were affected by

the Norman Conquest.

Answer:

reasoning supported by a range of accurate and detailed factual knowledge and understanding. For example, an explanation of different impacts/ consequences of change in the broader historical context. For example, one change that happened for many English people in the villages was that slavery decreased under the Normans. The Norman lords freed slaves and gave them small plots of land in return for large amounts of labour, making their estates more like those of northern France. However, freedom was a matter of interpretation and the bulk of the peasants existed between the freemen at the top and the slaves at the bottom. These became the villeins and were the largest group in the Domesday book, but they were still considered the property of the Lord. For example, 90% of the population lived in the countryside. Little changed unless you lived near a forest. There was no new manorial system imposed on England after the conquest and the traditions and organisation stayed the same. But the Normans enjoyed hunting and created lots of royal forests which spread by the late 12th century over one third of England. These areas were subject to Forest law and the English hated it because they were no longer able to hunt in these areas. If they did they would be severely punished. The rich Normans enjoyed the sport of hunting. To create the New Forest, 500 families were driven off their land. simple understanding of consequence(s) with supported with factual For example, things stay the same for the mass of the peasantry who made up most of the mediaeval village. They had to work their holdings in the open field and on certain days of the week, work for the Lord on his land which was ‘week work’ and then at busy times like harvest do ‘boon-work’. For example, the lives of many ordinary people did not greatly change after the conquest. The name of the Lord of the Manor may have changed but that did not change the everyday farming work that most villeins did.

Q4: ‘Religious belief was the main reason for building monasteries in Norman England.’

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. and AQA will be happy to rectify any omissions of acknowledgements. If you have any queries please contact the CopyrightTeam.

Answer:

To support their answer students could include aspects of the site such as: location, function, structure, design, people connected with the site, how the site reflects culture, values and fashions of the time and how the site links to important events and/or developments of the specified period. understanding of the site. For example, religious reasons were important but as the conquest was not secure a Castle was the first thing to be built by de Warenne. When the first monks came over from Lewis and Cluny they had a site close to the castle, they then moved in the 1080s to the current site of the Priory to the south-west of Warenne’s Castle. The castle and Priory symbolised the real military power and the spiritual authority of the Normans. At Castle Acre within the walled town the Normans could economically prosper as well. In all of de Warenne’s properties – in Yorkshire, at Lewes and Castle Acre he increased the economic value of his estates. So, there were good religious, political and economic reasons for monastic building. Answers may suggest that one factor has greater merit. and understanding of the site. For example, the main reason for finding a Monastery or Priory was religious because de Warenne was impressed with the elaborate ceremonies of the Cluniacs when he visited them at Cluny in the 1080s. He knew that he could be buried in his Priory and the prayers of the monks there would help his soul get to heaven. Their prayers would help him atone for all the killing involved in the conquest. The Cluniacs also liked elaborate churches so the West front of the church at Castle Acre Priory is beautifully decorated and impressive. For example, the site at Castle Acre Priory is part of a walled town that William de Warenne built in the 1080s along with a castle. This fortified unit of town, Priory and Castle symbolised the Norman conquest and their control of England. It showed that the Normans had military power and spiritual support. So, a main reason for building monasteries and priories was to make clear if anyone rebelled against the Normans they were rebelling against not only a real military force, but also against God. causation by simple reasoning supported with factual knowledge and understanding of the site. For example, Castle Acre Priory was set up by William de Warenne and finished by his son. De Warenne was religious because he had been to Cluny in the early 1080s and was impressed by how pious the monks were. When he returned to England he founded a Priory at Lewes and then one at Castle Acre where the monks could pray for his soul. For example, people were very religious in the Norman times and the Pope had told them to say masses for all the people are killed in the Battle of Hastings. Setting up a Priory was a good way of saving your soul.