The Norman dynasty consisted of four kings who ruled England from 1066-1154. Originally Vikings, they had established themselves in Normandy in northern France where they gradually assumed power and titles. Norman rule brought many changes to Saxon England, the earliest of which were enforced upon a sometimes hostile native population.
William I (1066-1087)
The illegitimate son of Robert, Duke of Normandy and a tanner’s daughter, William was courageous, tough and a gifted general, qualities he fully displayed in the years after 1035 when he inherited his father’s title. Promised the throne of England by Edward the Confessor whom he had visited in England in 1051, William was furious when Harold of Wessex claimed the throne, and so crossed over to England and famously defeated Harold at the battle of Hastings. He was then crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day.
“The Conqueror” faced a number of rebellions from disaffected Saxon lords who did not welcome the new regime, but on his death in 1087 his rule over England was largely accepted. Land-hungry Norman lords who had settled in England after the invasion brought new ideas and ways of governance and were also responsible for feudalism fully entrenching itself in English society.
The Doomsday Book
In 1085 William commissioned a wide-reaching survey on the national population, crops, agricultural techniques and tenants and owners of land, which covered his entire kingdom bar the far North.
William II (1087-1100)
Nicknamed “Rufus” for his fair hair and fiery temper, William was chosen to accede to the crown by his father, as he was tougher than his elder brother Robert, who became Duke of Normandy.
During his reign the more volatile northern regions of England were secured between the successful repulsions of two invasions led by Malcolm III of Scotland. Inroads were also made into Wales, especially in the south, where loyal Norman barons were settled.
His death is still somewhat of a mystery; while hunting in the New Forrest he was shot by a friend, Walter Tyrell. His younger brother, Henry happened to be in the area, and on hearing the news quickly seized the Treasury and had himself crowned, fuelling speculation William may have been killed on his brother’s orders.
Henry I (1100-1135)
The youngest of the Conqueror’s sons who received just 5000 pounds of silver from his father (compared with the lands and titles of England and Normandy his brothers gained) seized the crown and treasury as soon as news reached him of his brother’s death.
A lover of legal issues and reform, he was given the nickname “Beauclerc” and his 35-year reign witnessed important reforms as to how England was governed. On accession, Henry introduced the Charter of Liberties promising fair governance to a still quietly mutinous population.
The Court of the Exchequer was founded under Henry, as were the Pipe Rolls, which were countrywide records of the accounts of sheriffs and officials and were still in use as late as 1834. Durham Cathedral, one of the country’s most famous was largely completed during Henry’s reign.
Succession Problems
Henry’s only legitimate son, William, died aboard the White Ship when it sank whilst returning to England, and the king faced problems in convincing the barons to accept the sovereignty of his daughter, Matilda. Acknowledgement was granted before Henry’s death, however his brother in law, Stephen reneged on his promise and usurped Matilda in 1135.
Stephen (1135-1154)
Stephen broke his promise to Henry I and seized the throne in 1135 with the support of the Church (helped by the fact his brother was the Bishop of Winchester) and prominent barons and had himself crowned King. However, he incurred the wrath of some of his allies by imprisoning the administrative family of the Bishop of Salisbury, which prompted many supporters to side with Matilda who briefly managed to hold London.
“Nineteen Long Winters”
Stephen’s reign came to be known as the “nineteen long winters”; civil war with Matilda was punctuated by Scottish invasions led by David II, and it was only when Henry, Duke of Anjou (Matilda’s son) arrived in England to advance his mother’s claim that hostilities ceased. Talks were held at Wallingford between Stephen and Henry and it was agreed that the throne would pass to Henry after Stephen died.
The Plantagenets Come to Power
After Stephen’s death in 1154, Henry came to the throne as Henry II and the crown of England passed to the House of Plantagenet.
Sources
"The Kings and Queens of England and Scotland", Plantagenet Somerset Fry, 1990.
"A History of the English-speaking Peoples, Vol 1", Winston Churchill, 1956
Further Reading
"England Under the Norman and Angevin Kings, 1075-1225", Robert Bartlett
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