1066 Year of the Conquest
1066 The Year of Conquest
Specific short answer questions to help you read and understand the material and to answer the two main questions?
1.) What did David Howarth say about the use of the word “perhaps” when writing about events a thousand years ago and what did he think was just as important as the “factual truth”?
In reference to “perhaps”, Howarth says that nothing is perfectly certain. To know what people thought or pretended was true if you can discover why they thought it or why they had to pretend it is just as important as “factual truth”.
2.) On page 14, Howarth says Saxon landowners gave up certain freedoms. What were these freedoms and why did they willingly surrender these freedoms?
Saxon landowners surrendered their land to their protectors, someone more powerful than themselves. Independent farmers had no defense against the Viking raids or resources to tide them over other disasters like cattle sickness, a series of bad harvests, fire, or storms.
3.) What was life like for the “average” Saxon at the start of 1066?
The Saxons lived in little villages that were almost self sufficient and self supporting. They lived lives of endless labor which was rewarded by having plenty to eat and drink, plenty of space, plenty of virgin land to clear and cultivate. Also, taxes had been reduced and the weather was improving so crops flourished and men and cattle thrived.
4.) What was a Thegn?
A Thegn was a lord who drew rent(s) from the villeins, which were somewhat free peasants.
5.) Who was Ulfer?
Ulfer was a Thegn in the village of Horstede, also known as Little Horsted.
6.) How did life change when Rannulf replaced Ulfer?
7.) What secret weapon did William bring to the battlefield?
8.) What tactics did Harold use at Hastings? What command challenges did he face?
9.) Did Harold have the support of the Saxons? How was this demonstrated?
Sample Essay Questions:
What was life like for the
Specific short answer questions to help you read and understand the material and to answer the two main questions?
1.) What did David Howarth say about the use of the word “perhaps” when writing about events a thousand years ago and what did he think was just as important as the “factual truth”?
In reference to “perhaps”, Howarth says that nothing is perfectly certain. To know what people thought or pretended was true if you can discover why they thought it or why they had to pretend it is just as important as “factual truth”.
2.) On page 14, Howarth says Saxon landowners gave up certain freedoms. What were these freedoms and why did they willingly surrender these freedoms?
Saxon landowners surrendered their land to their protectors, someone more powerful than themselves. Independent farmers had no defense against the Viking raids or resources to tide them over other disasters like cattle sickness, a series of bad harvests, fire, or storms.
3.) What was life like for the “average” Saxon at the start of 1066?
The Saxons lived in little villages that were almost self sufficient and self supporting. They lived lives of endless labor which was rewarded by having plenty to eat and drink, plenty of space, plenty of virgin land to clear and cultivate. Also, taxes had been reduced and the weather was improving so crops flourished and men and cattle thrived.
4.) What was a Thegn?
A Thegn was a lord who drew rent(s) from the villeins, which were somewhat free peasants.
5.) Who was Ulfer?
Ulfer was a Thegn in the village of Horstede, also known as Little Horsted.
6.) How did life change when Rannulf replaced Ulfer?
7.) What secret weapon did William bring to the battlefield?
8.) What tactics did Harold use at Hastings? What command challenges did he face?
9.) Did Harold have the support of the Saxons? How was this demonstrated?
Sample Essay Questions:
What was life like for the