British History

What the Normans did…

• There were considerable changes in the social structure of the British kingdoms as a new aristocracy was introduced
• However, the Anglo-Saxon central and local governments and judicial system were retained
• The “English” language disappeared in official documents, it was replaced by Latin, then by Norman-French.
• Written English slowly reappeared in the 13th century.

Knights & Feudalism

• Feudalism originated in France, and was brought to England by the Normans
• The obligations and relations between lord, vassal and fief form the basis of feudalism
• Lords (Land owners),
• Vassals (Knights)
• Fiefs (Land).
• In exchange for use of the fief, the vassal would provide military service to the lord.
• Knights were supported by peasants who worked to produce food and ideologically supported by the church.