Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The Reign of William I & Succession (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
How did William's Reign Cause Issues for the Succession? - Timeline & Summary
William created a difficult legacy for his successor. William was a strong military leader willing to act harshly to keep his power. An example of William's brutality was the Harrying of the North. William's repressive actions created a dilemma for his successor. They had to decide whether they should continue punishing their enemies harshly or allow their subjects more freedom. Another issue was controlling two territories: England and Normandy. Throughout his reign, William struggled to keep control of England and Normandy at the same time. For example, the Revolt of the Earls occurred when William left England for Normandy. As a result, William left regents in Normandy and remained in England. William needed to consider if one person could rule all of his territories. This could create issues of jealousy and greed between his successors. |
The Character & Personality of William the Conqueror
There were two sides to William's personality
William was a cruel person willing to do anything to remain in power. He wanted to own everything in England
William was devout and remained a caring husband
Why are there two different views of William?
Robert's Rebellion Against William I
Historians believe that William the Conqueror and Matilda had at least nine children
The family tree of William I
Why were there issues between William I & Robert?
William treated his eldest son, Robert, cruelly
William gave Robert the nickname 'Curthose', which means 'short stockings'
This nickname mocked Robert's physical appearance
William did not believe that Robert could rule Normandy effectively
Rivals to William were threatening war in Normandy in the 1070s
Conflict between William & Robert
Worked Example
Describe one feature of William's relationship with his son, Robert
2 marks
Answer:
One feature of Robert and William's relationship was William's disrespect for his son (1). William gave Robert the nickname 'Curthose', which means 'short stockings', mocking his physical appearance (1).
Examiner Tips and Tricks
An exam question may ask you how far you agree that Robert's revolt was the main reason why William and his son Robert had a bad relationship. When approaching this style of question, consider:
The extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement. Use words like 'partially' or 'fully' to explain this
The strength of both sides of the argument. During Robert’s rebellion, William was embarrassed when Robert knocked him off of his horse in battle. However, William bullied Robert long before his rebellion, giving him the nickname 'Curthose'
Concluding your thoughts with a reflection on key concepts. You should consider short- and long-term consequences, importance and impact. For example, Robert resented his father's favouritism towards his brothers, especially William Rufus. This created a long-standing resentment between Robert and his father, resulting in his rebellion in 1077. Therefore, William's poor treatment of Robert was the most important reason why William and Robert had a poor relationship
How did William the Conqueror die?
In July 1087, William suffered significant injuries riding his horse
William was leading a raid in France
William's weight meant his horse threw him heavily against the saddle
William returned to Rouen Castle
He died on 9th September 1087 after several weeks of pain
What were the consequences of William's death?
William's barons panicked
The barons quickly attempted to secure their castles from attack
William's servants stole all of his possessions
The servants left William's body on the floor, stealing his clothing and his furniture
People believed that William's death and funeral showed God's anger at William
When the attendants tried to place William's body in a stone tomb, William's abdomen burst
The smell meant that the mourners ran out of the cathedral
People believed that this was a punishment from God for all of William's sins
The Fight for the Crown: William Rufus & Robert Curthose
William went against Norman tradition and allowed two sons to inherit his titles. William wanted:
Robert Curthose to become the Duke of Normandy
In 1066, all Norman barons took an oath of loyalty to Robert as William's heir
William Rufus to become the King of England
William never formally declared William Rufus the King of England
He wanted to repent for his violent reign by allowing God to choose who should become king
William Rufus travelled to England before his father died
He gave Lanfranc a letter from his father stating his strengths as King of England
Lanfranc crowned William Rufus king after William's death
Lanfranc did not consult the council, showing his power in England
As the eldest son, Robert opposed William becoming King of England
He believed that, following Norman tradition, he should inherit all his father's land and titles
Norman nobility held land in both England and Normandy
Dealing with one leader would make the management of their land easier
Robert and William were likely to fight, making landowning in Normandy and England more difficult
How did William Rufus defeat Robert Curthose?
William Rufus defeated Bishop Odo's rebellion in 1088
Bishop Odo supported Robert's claim because he thought that he was weaker. This would allow Odo to manipulate Robert to his advantage
Odo expected Robert to support him at the siege of Pevensey Castle
Help never arrived. This forced Odo to surrender, causing him to forfeit his English land and live in exile
William gained popularity in England for defeating Odo
Robert's alliance with Odo made his claim to the English throne weaker
William used extreme tactics to weaken Robert's position
Robert did not rule Normandy's barons firmly
The barons began to grab power for themselves
William Rufus used money to bribe the Norman barons. William raised income from knight service
He took the money given to each knight to live on and sent them home
He used the money to buy the allegiance of eastern Norman barons
This forced Robert to share the rule of Normandy with William
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