Changes to government (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Changes to government under the Normans
Introduction
When William conquered England in 1066, he discovered that the Anglo-Saxon system of government was already quite efficient. Rather than completely replacing it, William cleverly adapted existing structures to strengthen his own power and control over his new kingdom. This approach allowed him to maintain stability while establishing Norman dominance.
William's strategy of adaptation rather than complete replacement was crucial to his success. By keeping familiar systems in place, he reduced the risk of rebellion while gradually increasing his own power and control.
Anglo-Saxon government systems
The king's authority and responsibilities
Mediaeval English kings were expected to demonstrate multiple qualities - they needed to be strong warriors capable of defending the realm, while also being wise rulers who made fair decisions. The Anglo-Saxon king held significant powers that formed the foundation of royal authority:
- Law-making power: Kings created laws that applied across the entire kingdom, establishing unified legal standards
- Taxation rights: The monarch could raise taxes from his subjects to fund the kingdom's needs
- Legal authority: The king personally heard the most serious legal cases, demonstrating his role as the ultimate source of justice
The Witan advisory council
Anglo-Saxon kings didn't rule alone - they relied on advice from an important group called the Witan. This council consisted of earls, other prominent nobles, and senior churchmen who provided guidance on major decisions. Importantly, while the Witan didn't have the power to limit what the king could do, they remained an influential group whose opinions carried weight in royal decision-making.
The Witan was an advisory body only - unlike later parliamentary systems, they could not force the king to accept their advice or limit his power. However, wise kings recognised the value of consulting with their most powerful subjects.
Government through written commands
The Anglo-Saxon system used an efficient method of communication called "government by writ." Kings would issue official documents that contained their specific orders and instructions. These writs were then distributed throughout the country by royal clerks working in the Chancery (the royal writing office). This system ensured that the king's commands could reach even distant parts of the kingdom.
Local government structure
To ensure royal orders were actually carried out across the country, Anglo-Saxon kings had developed an effective local government system. England was divided into administrative areas called shires, each with its own "capital" town where justice and taxation were managed. Each shire was overseen by a shire-reeve (later called sheriff), who acted as the king's local representative. Shires were further subdivided into smaller units called "hundreds" for more detailed local administration.
Anglo-Saxon Administrative Structure:
- Kingdom → divided into Shires → subdivided into Hundreds
- Each level had its own officials responsible to the level above
- This created a clear chain of command from the king down to local communities
Norman adaptations and changes
Extending royal power and authority
William made several important changes that significantly increased the king's power compared to Anglo-Saxon times. He constantly reminded his subjects that he ruled with God's approval, which gave his authority a religious backing that was difficult to challenge. William also expanded his use of patronage - the system of granting land, positions, or favours to loyal followers - which gave him much greater control over people's lives and ensured their continued loyalty.
Key to Norman Success: Divine Authority and Patronage
William's claim to rule by God's will made resistance seem not just rebellious, but sinful. Combined with an expanded patronage system, this created a powerful mechanism for ensuring loyalty throughout the kingdom.
Continuity with Anglo-Saxon systems
Despite making important changes, William recognised the value of existing systems and kept many Anglo-Saxon practices. He continued to seek advice from leading subjects through the Curia Regis (the king's council), which served a similar function to the Anglo-Saxon Witan. William also maintained the system of government by writ, continuing to rule through written commands, though he actually issued more orders than previous Anglo-Saxon kings. He kept the Anglo-Saxon Chancery system for producing these official documents.
Changes to local government
While maintaining the basic structure of local government, William made significant modifications to strengthen his control. The sheriff system continued, with sheriffs still acting as the king's local representatives and providing a crucial link between the monarch and individual shires. However, William gradually began replacing English sheriffs with Norman appointees, ensuring that these vital positions were held by people he could trust completely.
William also introduced new administrative roles, including castellans - officials responsible for looking after royal castles and forests. These positions could be filled by either the local lord or sheriff, depending on what worked best for royal control in each area.
Strategic Replacement of Officials
The gradual replacement of English sheriffs with Norman appointees was crucial for William's control. These officials collected taxes, enforced royal justice, and commanded local forces - making their loyalty essential for Norman rule.
Revolutionary changes to inheritance
One of William's most significant innovations was the introduction of new inheritance laws called "feudal incidents." Under the Anglo-Saxon system, families typically divided property among all sons, but the Normans established primogeniture - meaning everything went to the eldest son. This kept large estates together and centralised power.
The feudal incidents gave William additional control over land ownership. If a tenant died without an heir, their land automatically returned to the lord, who could then keep it, sell it, or grant it to someone else. This meant the king owned most land in the kingdom and benefited financially whenever landowners died without clear successors.
Revolutionary Impact of Inheritance Changes
- Primogeniture kept estates intact and prevented the fragmentation of power
- Feudal incidents gave the king direct control over land transfers
- These changes fundamentally altered the relationship between the crown and landowners, creating a system where land ownership depended on royal favour
The patronage system
Patronage became a crucial tool for ensuring loyalty throughout Norman England. This system meant that anyone wanting to gain influence or acquire land had to demonstrate complete loyalty to the king. Those who remained faithful could expect rewards in the form of land grants, important positions, or other valuable privileges. However, subjects who showed disloyalty faced severe consequences - they could expect to lose their land or face even worse punishments.
The feudal system allowed William to offer land in exchange for loyalty and military service, but he also made important changes to government procedures that increased his powers of patronage. Even after land had been granted to someone, the king's continued favour was necessary for the grant to be passed on successfully to heirs.
This created a system where loyalty was directly tied to the king, since the official held their position and wealth only through royal approval, and this loyalty extended to both the king personally and the baron they served under.
How Patronage Worked in Practice:
The patronage system created a web of dependency that strengthened royal control. Every grant of land, every appointment to office, and every privilege came with the understanding that continued loyalty was required to maintain these benefits.
Timeline of key changes
- 1066: William conquers England and begins adapting Anglo-Saxon government systems
- c1070s: Norman appointees gradually replace English sheriffs in key positions
- c1070s-1080s: Feudal incidents and primogeniture inheritance laws are established
- By 1100: Norman administrative system fully established with combination of Anglo-Saxon and Norman elements
Key Points to Remember:
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William adapted rather than replaced - He kept efficient Anglo-Saxon systems but modified them to increase royal power
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Government by writ continued - The system of ruling through written commands remained, but Norman kings used it more extensively than their Anglo-Saxon predecessors
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Local government was strengthened - Sheriffs remained important, but Norman appointees gradually replaced English officials to ensure loyalty
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Inheritance laws revolutionised land ownership - Feudal incidents and primogeniture gave the king much greater control over who owned land
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Patronage became central to power - Loyalty to the king became essential for anyone wanting to maintain their position, land, or influence in Norman England