The Establishment of Norman Rule Over England

This section explores how the Normans established their rule over England. After his decisive victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, one of King William I's primary concerns was to consolidate his power over all of England. While his military victory had given him control of the kingdom, ensuring that this control was accepted by the Anglo-Saxon population and the remaining nobility was another challenge entirely. William needed to establish a stable system of rule that would both secure his authority and ensure the loyalty of the English people and their leaders.

Securing Southern England

After the death of King Harold II, the young Edgar Atheling briefly took the throne but soon surrendered to William. Along with him, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Stigand, also submitted to the Norman king. This surrender was crucial as it effectively secured the southern part of England. However, the task of asserting authority over the wider kingdom was more complex, especially as much of the population was unfamiliar with Norman rule and had fought against William during the invasion.

How William Asserted His Authority

To strengthen his control, William adopted a careful strategy that involved both maintaining and replacing key figures of Anglo-Saxon society.

The Retention of Anglo-Saxon Earls
In order to avoid unnecessary disruption and to gain the cooperation of the Anglo-Saxon nobility, William allowed two prominent Anglo-Saxon earls, Edwin and Morcar, to retain their lands in Mercia and Northumbria. This was conditional on their acceptance of William’s authority as king and their role as vassals, acknowledging him as their feudal lord. This move helped pacify the north of England, where resistance to Norman rule could have been more widespread. Although William allowed these earls to keep their estates, he made sure that they were loyal to him and that they understood their new position in a feudal system under his rule.

Displacement of Disloyal Nobles
On the other hand, William confiscated land from Anglo-Saxon nobles who had not supported his conquest and redistributed it to Norman barons who had fought with him at Hastings. These barons were granted vast estates, which they could now control and use to secure their loyalty to the king. This redistribution of land was a key aspect of William’s strategy to ensure that those in positions of power were people he could trust. By rewarding his loyal supporters with land, William solidified their loyalty to him and secured the foundation of Norman rule.

Introduction of the Feudal System
The most significant change after the Norman Conquest was the introduction of the feudal system. While a form of feudalism had existed before, William’s system was far more centralised and structured around royal authority. Under Norman feudalism, William was the ultimate landowner; all land in England was now considered to belong to him. He could grant land to his barons, who in turn granted land to knights and other lesser lords. In return, those who held land from the king had to provide military service and other duties.

This new system transformed the way land was distributed and used. It created a hierarchical structure in which the king was at the top, followed by his barons, knights, and the lower peasantry, or villeins, who worked the land. Villeins were not slaves but were bound to the land they worked, paying taxes and giving a portion of their crops to the landholders. If they broke the law, they could also be required to pay fines. The system not only gave William control over the land but also over the people who lived and worked on it, making it far more difficult for any resistance to take root.

Key Norman Figures: Odo and FitzOsbern

While William distributed land to many of his supporters, two of his closest allies were given particularly large and important territories.

Odo of Bayeux
Odo, who was William's half-brother and also the Bishop of Bayeux, played a significant role in the conquest. He fought at the Battle of Hastings and was a major supporter of William throughout the campaign. After the conquest, William granted him the title of Earl of Kent, and Odo quickly became one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures in England. He seized as much land as possible and became a key figure in southern England. During William’s absences from England, Odo acted as regent, governing much of the country in the king's stead. His powerful position and religious authority gave him significant influence.

William FitzOsbern
William FitzOsbern was another of William’s most trusted allies. He had been a close friend of the Duke of Normandy for many years and was instrumental in the success of the invasion, ensuring that William had sufficient men and resources to conquer England. FitzOsbern became the Earl of Hereford, Worcestershire, Gloucester, and several other regions. His military expertise and loyalty made him invaluable to William. Like Odo, FitzOsbern served as a regent while William was in Normandy, overseeing large parts of England, particularly in the central and western regions.

The Power Structure of Norman England

Under the new system, a feudal hierarchy emerged that was radically different from the Anglo-Saxon system. At the top of this structure was King William I, who controlled all land in the kingdom. Below him were the barons, who were granted land in exchange for military service. These barons, in turn, gave land to knights, who fought for them and were responsible for maintaining control over the land. The lowest class in the system were the villeins, or peasants, who worked the land and were bound to it.

The feudal system created a rigid class structure, and power was concentrated in the hands of those loyal to the king. It also had a profound effect on the social and economic structure of England, as it introduced a system of landownership and loyalty based on military service and feudal duties rather than the traditional Anglo-Saxon tribal structures.

William’s establishment of Norman rule in England involved a combination of military might, strategic land distribution, and the introduction of the feudal system. His ability to manage the loyalty of both English and Norman lords allowed him to consolidate power effectively. By redistributing land, granting rewards to loyal followers, and ensuring that his supporters were placed in key positions, William solidified his control over England and laid the foundations for centuries of Norman rule. The legacy of the Norman Conquest, including the widespread adoption of the feudal system and the significant influence of Norman culture, can still be seen in England today.