Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2016
Last exams 2025
The Norman Aristocracy (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
How did the Norman Aristocracy Compare to the Anglo-Saxons? - Summary
There were key differences in the lives of Norman aristocrats and the Anglo-Saxon nobility. One way the two cultures differed was how they demonstrated their wealth. Anglo-Saxon nobles brought expensive jewellery and clothes from foreign markets. Norman nobles shaved the back of their heads. Both types of aristocrats understood the importance of showing off their wealth. This is because they could afford to spend time on their appearance, unlike many people in the eleventh century.
Another difference is the importance that each culture placed on buildings. The Anglo-Saxon aristocrats had a lavish lifestyle in unimpressive homes. The Norman aristocrats had a simpler lifestyle in splendid buildings. Norman nobles invested their money into constructing impressive castles and cathedrals. Norman builders were experimental with their designs. Many of their buildings collapsed due to England's lack of quality masons. The Norman aristocrats could afford to rebuild their church buildings many times. This proved how wealthy they were.
Finally, Anglo-Saxon and Norman aristocrats differed in their approach to law and order. Anglo-Saxon society valued strong warriors. Anglo-Saxon nobles and kings would often kill their enemies to prove their dominance. Norman nobles under William the Conqueror would show mercy. William would usually imprison his enemies, demonstrating chivalry.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Students often do not understand what aristocrats are. Aristocracy is a generic term for the upper classes. In Norman England under the feudal system, aristocrats were tenants-in-chiefs, archbishops, castellans and sheriffs. In the Anglo-Saxon and Norman England exam paper, a question could use the term 'aristocracy' instead of the 'upper classes'.
The Life of Norman Aristocracy
The Impact of the Normans on the English Language
William attempted to learn English
He had given up due to the other demands on his time
Many Norman aristocrats could not speak English
They relied on interpreters to translate into French
The children of Norman aristocrats could speak both French and English
Written English almost disappeared by the twelfth century
Peterborough, Worcester and Hereford were the only places that kept written English alive
William enforced the writing of legal and Church documents in Latin
Many Norman aristocrats could not read Latin. Norman aristocrats had clerks who read the king's writs to them
The ability to read was uncommon in Norman England
The Norman nobility listened and memorised information and literature
Fathers trained their sons to retain spoken detail by whipping them if they misremembered
Worked Example
Describe one feature of the Norman aristocracy
2 marks
Answer:
One feature of the Norman aristocracy was their language (1). Many Norman nobles could not speak English and relied on interpreters to translate to French (1)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Ensure you make your details as specific as possible to access all two marks. The detail of this example includes the language that Normans spoke.
This question previously asked students to describe two features of a given event. This question was out of four marks. However, as of 2025, Edexcel will split this question into two subsections, asking you to describe a feature of two different events. Each subsection is worth two marks.
Who was Bishop Odo?
Odo of Bayeux was William's half-brother
They both had the same mother, Herleva
William made Odo the Bishop of Bayeux in 1049
Odo had a poor reputation
People in Normandy believed that Odo was greedy and immoral
Odo was a significant supporter of William's conquest of England
Odo supplied William with 100 ships
After William's victory at Hastings, Odo commissioned the Bayeux Tapestry
William rewarded Odo for his loyalty
He gave Odo the earldom of Kent
He became the second biggest landholder in England with 22 counties
William valued Odo's loyalty over his poor reputation
How did Bishop Odo Abuse his Power?
By 1082, Odo fell out of favour with William
As a result of his abuse of power, William imprisoned Odo
In 1087, William pardoned Odo
Robert of Mortain, Odo's brother, convinced William to released Odo
William freed other prisoners like Morcar and Wulfnoth
William was dying
Bishop Odo's Rebellion & Downfall
After William's death, his favourite son, William Rufus, became the King of England. He was crowned as William II
Odo opposed the rule of William II
He believed that William's eldest son, Robert Curthose, should be king
Odo started a rebellion against William II in 1088
Odo's brother, Robert of Mortain, joined the revolt
Both brothers owned a significant area of Southern England and fortifications
Odo's rebellion triggered other uprisings across England
Rebellions resulting from Odo's rebellion
Location | Who started the rebellion? |
|---|---|
Norwich | Roger Bigod |
Leicester | Hugh de Grandmesnil, the sheriff of Leicester |
Somerset and Wiltshire | Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland |
Gloucestershire | William of Eu |
The West of England | Roger de Montgomery and Roger de Lacy, Marcher earls |
Map of subsequent rebellions
Why did Odo's rebellion fail?
A lack of support from the Norman aristocracy | A lack of support from the English | William Rufus' tactics |
|---|---|---|
Apart from William of Saint-Calais, the bishop of Durham, Odo did not have the support of the Church. Most other Norman aristocrats remained loyal to William II | Odo had treated the Anglo-Saxon population poorly. The English hated Odo and would not support an uprising that he had started | Odo and Robert of Mortain hid in Pevensey Castle. William II sieged the castle for six weeks, preventing Odo from receiving supplies. William captured his uncles but Odo escaped |
Worked Example
Describe one feature of Odo's rebellion in 1088
2 marks
Answer:
One feature of Odo's rebellion was the rejection of William II (1). After William's death, Odo believed that William's oldest son, Robert Cuthose, should be King of England instead of William Rufus (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
An exam question based on this section could ask you to explain why Odo's rebellion failed in 1088. There are multiple reasons, as shown above. However, the key arguments are:
The lack of support from the Church of England
The reputation of Bishop Odo
William Rufus' actions
This is a 12-mark question. Ensure you write three paragraphs that:
P - Make a point about the question
E - Use evidence that supports the point that you have made
E - Explain why this evidence caused Odo's rebellion to fail. Avoid repeating the point again. Explain how this factor meant that Odo's rebellion would never be successful or was able to be stopped
L - Link your explanation back to the question by stating how significant this factor was to the failure of Odo's rebellion
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