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Anglo Norman Period 1066-1200

Q. Write a note on the Anglo Norman period (1066-1200).

Pre-Conquest England

Before the Norman Conquest, many different kingdoms in England followed Anglo-Saxon traditions.
During this time, things kept changing. Different groups allied with or fought against each other.

Local leaders had much power, and the Vikings kept invading. When the Vikings took over parts of the
country, they made people follow Danish law.

By the middle of the 11th century, after many battles and struggles, England was mainly brought
together under King Edward the Confessor.

However, the country seemed more united, but problems were brewing, especially since Edward did not
have a prominent person to take over as king after him.

Succession Crisis

When Edward the Confessor died in January 1066, a big problem started over who should be the next
king. Several strong people wanted to rule:
Harold Godwinson: English nobles picked Harold, Edward’s brother-in-law, to be king. He was
immediately crowned. He was strong and good at fighting, and the local leaders thought he would keep
England in English hands.

William of Normandy: In France, William, Duke of Normandy, thought he should be king because
Edward had promised him the crown, and Harold had said he would help him. When Harold became
king, William was furious.

Other People: Some other people also wanted to be king, like Harald Hardrada from Norway, who
thought a deal made before gave him a right to the throne. Edgar the Ætheling, a young English
nobleman, was another person who wanted to be king but did not have the support to make it happen.

The Battles

In 1066, several important battles happened that changed England’s future:

Battle of Fulford (September 20, 1066)

Harald Hardrada, helped by Harold’s brother Tostig, beat the English in the north. It looked like the
Vikings might take over again, but they did not.

Battle of Stamford Bridge (September 25, 1066)

King Harold quickly went north and fought Hardrada’s army at Stamford Bridge. The English won, and
Hardrada and Tostig were killed. The Vikings were no longer a threat.

Battle of Hastings (October 14, 1066)

William of Normandy invaded the south while Harold was busy up north. They fought near Hastings, and
it went on all day. In the end, Harold was killed, and William won.
William’s Coronation

William was made king on Christmas Day, 1066. It was the start of the Normans ruling England and the
beginning of a new time in English history.

William’s time as king changed much about England, like bringing in new ideas and mixing Norman and
English ways. It changed English culture for good.

Aftermath of the Conquest

It was a momentous occasion when William was crowned on Christmas Day in 1066. However, the
lasting effects of the Norman Conquest reverberated for many years after the coronation event.

1- Suppression of Rebellion

Initial Resistance: As with any takeover, the Normans faced considerable opposition from those once in
power, particularly in the north of England.

The “Harrying of the North”: William was very tough in dealing with his enemies. He became famous for
the “Harrying of the North,” where he burned whole villages and killed people there.

This act is remembered as a very dark time and showed how strongly the Normans controlled the area.

2- Establishment of Feudalism

New System Introduction: William introduced the feudal system, a structure where the king owned all
land to manage his new kingdom.

Hierarchy of Power: He would then grant sizable estates to his trusted lords in exchange for military
services. These lords had followers, known as vassals, who promised to be loyal and serve them. This
shift brought a new social order and a fresh, Norman-dominated aristocratic class.

3- Redistribution of Land
Confiscation: Much of the land previously owned by the Anglo-Saxon elite was taken away.

Norman Ownership: This confiscated land was then generously awarded to Norman lords and nobles.
This move was strategic. It ensured the Normans’ dominance and their influence over English society.

4- Architectural Influence

Symbolic Structures: The Normans, enthusiastic builders, began constructing numerous structures like
castles and cathedrals. It showed the Romanesque architectural style.

Statement of Authority: These grand towers were more than mere buildings. They symbolized Norman
power, authority, and connection to broader European traditions and aesthetics.

5- Linguistic Impact

Norman-French: The new ruling elite primarily spoke a variant of Old French. French became the
prominent language in courts and governance as they took over administrative and legal roles.

English Evolution: This blend of languages meant that many French words were adopted into the local
lexicon. It formed the basis for Middle English and diversifying the language.

6- Legal Reforms

Uniform Law: William and his heirs significantly changed England’s legal landscape. Introductions of the
common law ensured uniformity in the legal procedures and judgments throughout the kingdom.

7- The Domesday Book (1086)

Comprehensive Survey: William ordered a detailed survey to grip taxation better and fully understand
his realm’s resources.

A Historical Masterpiece: Today, the Domesday Book is a monumental record. It offered insights into
England’s society, economics, and demographics at the close of the 11th century.
Dominant Genres Emerged During the Anglo-Norman Era

1- Romance

The romance genre was one of the most significant literary contributions of the Anglo-Norman period. It
often featured tales of chivalry, love, and adventure.

Characteristics of Romance

Chivalry: Knights are often central characters, bound by a code of honor, courage, and gentlemanly
conduct.

Courtly Love: A highly idealized form of love, often extramarital, that follows specific rules and rituals.
This often includes devotion to a noble lady and performing deeds in her honor.

Adventure and Quests: The protagonist often undertakes a journey or mission, facing various challenges,
trials, and temptations. The quests usually have a moral or spiritual significance.

Supernatural Elements: Many romances include elements of magic, myth, or the fantastical. This could
include magical objects, creatures, and interventions by divine beings.

Heroic Characters: Characters are often larger-than-life, embodying idealized virtues like bravery,
loyalty, and integrity.

Structured Poetry or Prose: Romances were often composed in verse and followed specific poetic forms,
such as rhymed couplets.

Moral Lessons: These stories often contain underlying moral or ethical lessons, reflecting the social
values of the time.
Setting: Often set in a distant or idealized past, sometimes in fantastical realms. Locations could be real
or imaginary, but they often represent a form of escapism.

Emotional Intensity: Romances often depict intense emotions, especially love, but also fear, jealousy,
and despair, often exaggerated to heighten the drama.

Conflict and Resolution: Most romances involve a conflict or struggle, often between good and evil, that
is eventually resolved. It favored the protagonists or the virtues they represented.

‘Tristan and Isolde’ was one of the famous romances of the Anglo-Norman period.

2- Chronicle

The chronicling of historical events became a prominent genre in the Anglo-Norman period. These
chronicles provided detailed accounts of historical events, often written by monks or other religious
figures.

One of the most renowned chroniclers of this time was Geoffrey of Monmouth, who wrote “Historia
Regum Britanniae.”

3- Religious Writing

Hymns, sermons, saints’ lives, and biblical translations were written to guide the religious practices of
the time. Anselm of Canterbury, a theologian, and philosopher of the period, made significant
contributions to Christian thought and wrote prayers and meditations.

4- Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry, often composed in Old French, was a refined expression during the Anglo-Norman period.
These poems were often sung and accompanied by musical instruments, touching themes of love,
nature, and morality.
Marie de France was a notable writer of this period, known for her “Lais” – short narrative poems that
blend romance and fantasy.

5- Didactic Literature

Teaching through literature was common, and many works were created to instruct both in religious
and secular matters. These texts could range from manuals on hunting and courtesy to more spiritual
guides on Christian living.

6- Legal Texts

The Norman Conquest changed the English legal system, producing various legal texts. Treatises,
charters, and writs were produced to codify the new legal norms.

The Domesday Book, commissioned by William the Conqueror, was a comprehensive survey of
landholdings in England. It remains an invaluable document for historians studying the period.

English language During the Anglo-Norman

1- Linguistic Stratification

The Normans, with their dialect of Old French, became the ruling class. A clear linguistic stratification
emerged:

French: Used by the nobility and in legal and official documents, French became the language of high
culture. The court, administration, and education were conducted in French, profoundly influencing
England’s ruling classes.

Latin: Despite the prominence of French, Latin continued to be used by the Church and in scholarly
works. Monasteries, universities, and religious institutions retained Latin, ensuring its survival and
influence during this period.

Old English: Spoken by the common people, Old English was also retained in some local administrative
contexts. However, it was largely sidelined by the elite.
2- Lexical Influence

The Anglo Norman introduced a vast amount of French vocabulary. This lexical enrichment touched
various fields:

Law and Governance: Terms like “court,” “judge,” “government,” and “council” were borrowed from the
French.

Culture and Art: The Normans strongly believed in chivalry and enjoyed refined culture. Because of this,
they introduced words related to things like politeness, love stories, and art. Examples of these words
include “dance,” “music,” “literature,” and “fashion.”

Religion and Education: Continental Europe and Norman French influenced the Church and intellectual
groups. This led to the introduction of words such as “clergy,” “sermon,” “university,” and “school.”

3- Grammatical Changes

The grammar of English also began to transform during the Anglo-Norman period:

Loss of Inflections: Old English had a highly inflected structure, with different endings for nouns,
adjectives, and verbs to denote grammatical functions. These inflections eroded during the Norman rule,
which simplified the language’s structure.

Pronouns and Prepositions: Certain pronouns and prepositions show the influence of French. These
subtle changes contributed to the overall transformation of English grammar during this time.

Literary Impact

Although French was the dominant literary language for the elite, English continued to be used and
evolved in literary contexts. Literary works started to reflect the multicultural aspects of society:
Bilingual Texts: Some texts were written in both English and French, reflecting the bilingual nature of the
educated classes. This fusion enriched English literature and provided unique insights into the period’s
linguistic landscape.

Emergence of Middle English Literature: By the end of the Anglo-Norman period, authors like Geoffrey
Chaucer wrote in Middle English. His works, significantly shaped by Norman French, paved the way for
future literary achievements in English.

Language Variation and Dialects

The Anglo-Norman period saw a proliferation of English dialects. Without a central royal court using
English, regional variations became more pronounced:

Differentiation between Dialects: The Northern, Midlands, Southern, and Kentish dialects became more
distinct, reflecting both older Anglo-Saxon differences and varying degrees of Norman influence.

By the end of the Anglo-Norman period, the language had substantially changed. It moved away from
Old English and set the stage for Middle English:

With the decline of Norman rule and the rise of English-born rulers, English regained prestige. Norman’s
influence fundamentally altered the language.

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History of English Literature

Literary Terms

Authors

Aristotle

Alexander Pope

Alice Walker

Anton Chekhov

Ben Okri

Emily Dickinson

Geoffrey Chaucer

Guy de Maupassant

Hanif Kureishi

Kate Chopin

Katherine Mansfield
Khaled Hosseini

Leo Tolstoy

Nadine Gordimer

Nikolai Gogol

Philip Sidney

Robert Frost

Sherman Alexie

Sylvia Plath

Toni Morrison

William Faulkner

William Wordsworth

Zulfikar Ghose

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