Norman England, 1066-c.1100 is a British depth study that investigates how England changed and developed following the Norman Conquest in 1066. The course focuses on the period from 1066 to the years around the accession of Henry I in 1100. You will focus on crucial events during this period, and study the different social, cultural, political, economic and religious changes that occurred. You will also investigate a specific historical site in detail to examine the relationship between the site and events during this time period.

This study will help you to understand the reasons for the Norman Conquest in 1066, and the way in which England was ruled by William I and his immediate successors. You will investigate themes such as power, law and order, government, religion, and economy and society. This course will enable you to develop the historical skills of causation, consequence, importance, continuity, and change. You will also learn to critically evaluate historical interpretations.

Norman England, 1066-c.1100 is split into four key enquiries: Conquest and control, Life under the Normans, The Normans and the Church, and the historic environment.

• ❖ Enquiry 1 looks at the succession crisis following the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066, and the subsequent battles for the throne. You will also study how William I consolidated his rule in the years after the Battle of Hastings, including his methods of dealing with rebellions against his rule.
• ❖ Enquiry 2 looks at how the Normans used the Feudal System to govern England. You will also learn what life was like for ordinary people in towns and villages under Norman rule.
• ❖ Enquiry 3 looks at the relationship between the Normans and the Church. You will learn how the Normans reformed the Church and monasteries, and how the relationship of the king with the pope in Rome changed over time.
• ❖ Enquiry 4 looks at the historic environment. The site chosen changes each year and you have to investigate how the site and historical developments in this period link together.

Some of the key individuals studied on this course include:

• ❖ Edward the Confessor.
• ❖ William I (William the Conqueror).
• ❖ Harold Godwinson.
• ❖ Harald Hardrada.
• ❖ Edgar Aetheling.
• ❖ William II (William Rufus).
• ❖ Henry I.
• ❖ Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury.
• ❖ Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury.

Some of the key events you will study on this course include:

• ❖ The Battle of Stamford Bridge.
• ❖ The Battle of Hastings.
• ❖ The Saxon rebellions of 1067-1071.
• ❖ The Harrying of the North, 1069-70.
• ❖ The Earls' Revolt of 1075.
• ❖ The creation of the Domesday Survey.
• ❖ The continuation of the Norman dynasty after the death of William I.

Norman England, 1066-c.1100 forms part of paper 2 which you have a total of two hours to complete. You should spend one hour on this section of the paper. There will be four exam questions which will assess what you have learnt on the Norman England, 1066-c.1100 course.

• ❖ Question 1 is worth 8 marks. This question requires you to examine an interpretation, and assesses your ability to analyse and evaluate how convincing the interpretation is, using your contextual knowledge to challenge or corroborate what is being said.
• ❖ Question 2 is worth 8 marks. This question will require you to explain the importance of a different theme or event by using your contextual knowledge and looking at the consequences or impact of the event.
• ❖ Question 3 is worth 8 marks. This question will require you to show your knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the course. You will have the opportunity to show your ability to explain and analyse historical events using second order concepts such as causation, consequence, change, continuity, similarity and difference.
• ❖ Question 4 is worth 16 marks, and focuses on the Historic Environment site that you will have studied. You will be assessed on similar skills to those in Question 3, but you will also be required to make a judgement in an extended response to the set question.