Question 1: Who was the king of England before the Norman Conquest, and what was his relation to William the Conqueror?

Answer: King Edward the Confessor was the king of England before the conquest. William the Conqueror claimed that Edward had promised him the throne, making William his designated successor.

Question 2: Describe the events that led to William's invasion of England in 1066.

Answer: After Edward's death, Harold Godwinson was crowned king, but William claimed that Edward had promised him the throne. William prepared an invasion, assembled an army, and crossed the English Channel to assert his claim, leading to the Battle of Hastings.

Question 3: Explain the significance of the Battle of Hastings and what was the outcome.

Answer: The Battle of Hastings was a decisive battle fought in 1066 between William's forces and King Harold's army. William's victory led to Norman control of England, ending Anglo-Saxon rule and beginning Norman rule.

Question 4: Identify two changes that the Normans brought to England after 1066.

Answer: The Normans introduced the feudal system, changing land ownership and loyalty structures. They also built castles to defend their new territory and demonstrate their power.

Question 5: Describe what a 'feudal system' means in the context of Norman England.

Answer: The feudal system was a hierarchy where the king granted land to nobles in exchange for loyalty and military service. Nobles then had vassals who worked their land, creating a structured society based on loyalty and landholding.

Question 6: Draw a simple diagram illustrating the hierarchy of Norman society after 1066. Label the king, nobles, knights, and peasants.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a pyramid with the king at the top, followed by nobles directly below, then knights, and peasants at the bottom. Each level should be clearly labeled.

Question 7: What was the Domesday Book, and why was it important?

Answer: The Domesday Book was a survey conducted in 1086 that recorded land holdings and resources across England. It was important because it helped William assess taxes and control his new kingdom.

Question 8: Explain one way in which the Norman Conquest affected the language spoken in England.

Answer: The Norman Conquest introduced many Norman French words into the English language, influencing vocabulary and leading to the development of Middle English.

Question 9: Identify two reasons why William was motivated to invade England.

Answer: William was motivated by the promise of the throne made by Edward the Confessor and his desire to expand Norman influence and power in England.

Question 10: Write a paragraph explaining the long-term impact of the Norman Conquest on English society.

Answer: The Norman Conquest drastically changed English society by introducing Norman culture, language, and governance. It led to the centralization of royal authority, the construction of castles, and the reshaping of the landowning class. The social hierarchy became more structured under feudalism, and many traditions blended with Anglo-Saxon customs, shaping medieval England for centuries.