Norman Castles
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
Norman Castles
Write-Up #2
Ryan O’Donovan (6153089) 2/25/2013
Submitted to Professor Sarmad Al-Mashta in partial fulfillment of Concordia University’s BLDG 482Impact of Technology on Society and Architecture.
Castles of the Middle Ages serve to illustrate the social and economic changes of the time [1]. In particular, the Norman castles of the Romanesque era can be viewed as a tool that was used to impose social and economic reform on the Anglo-Saxon society in Medieval England after the battle of Hastings in 1066 and throughout the Norman Conquest. These structures were used as a military device to win battles and as a political tool to dominate the English by instilling feelings of fear, awe, power and wealth [2] and by way of the Feudal system. Background The Normans get their name from “Norsemen” as they are descendants of the Vikings. After settling in Normandy of Northern France and embracing Christianity they sought to further expand their influence and empire in England [2]. Harold Godwin had laid claim to the English throne following the death of his predecessor Edward the Confessor [3]. However, Harold had previously been imprisoned in Normandy and swore a solemn oath of loyalty to William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, who had demanded and received his release and provided him with protection [4]. This oath of loyalty from Harold to William was an agreement that indicated Harold’s support of William, who was King Edward’s cousin, as successor. After Harold grabbed the crown William saw him as an oath breaker and due to the strong influence of the Christian faith and to the importance of gaining approval from the church, the Normans aimed to have their invasion of England deemed “holy” and this was granted when the Pope sanctified their invasion [2]. On September 28th, 1066 in Pevensey Bay on the Sussex coast, England was invaded by the Normans and their leader, William the Conqueror. Then, on October 14th, 1066 the
Norman Castles
Write-Up #2
Ryan O’Donovan (6153089) 2/25/2013
Submitted to Professor Sarmad Al-Mashta in partial fulfillment of Concordia University’s BLDG 482Impact of Technology on Society and Architecture.
Castles of the Middle Ages serve to illustrate the social and economic changes of the time [1]. In particular, the Norman castles of the Romanesque era can be viewed as a tool that was used to impose social and economic reform on the Anglo-Saxon society in Medieval England after the battle of Hastings in 1066 and throughout the Norman Conquest. These structures were used as a military device to win battles and as a political tool to dominate the English by instilling feelings of fear, awe, power and wealth [2] and by way of the Feudal system. Background The Normans get their name from “Norsemen” as they are descendants of the Vikings. After settling in Normandy of Northern France and embracing Christianity they sought to further expand their influence and empire in England [2]. Harold Godwin had laid claim to the English throne following the death of his predecessor Edward the Confessor [3]. However, Harold had previously been imprisoned in Normandy and swore a solemn oath of loyalty to William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, who had demanded and received his release and provided him with protection [4]. This oath of loyalty from Harold to William was an agreement that indicated Harold’s support of William, who was King Edward’s cousin, as successor. After Harold grabbed the crown William saw him as an oath breaker and due to the strong influence of the Christian faith and to the importance of gaining approval from the church, the Normans aimed to have their invasion of England deemed “holy” and this was granted when the Pope sanctified their invasion [2]. On September 28th, 1066 in Pevensey Bay on the Sussex coast, England was invaded by the Normans and their leader, William the Conqueror. Then, on October 14th, 1066 the
References: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] Schuerl, W. F. (1969). Medieval Castles and Cities. London, GB: Cassell Ltd. Castles. (2012). Romanesque Architecture. Retrieved from http://www.castles.me.uk/romanesque-architecture.htm Wood, M. (2001). In Search of the Dark Ages. London, GB: Checkmark Books. Barlow, F. (2003). The Godwins: The Rise and Fall of a Noble Dynasty. Bristol, GB: PearsonLongman. Bartlett, R. (Director). (2012). History of Britain: Norman Conquest [Documentary]. Great Britain: BBC. Johnson, P. (1989). Castles of England, Scotland and Wales. London, GB: George Weidenfeld and Nicolson Ltd. Bartlett, R. (2002). England Under the Normans and Angevin Kings. USA: Oxford University Press. Middle Ages. (2012). Feudalism in England. Retrieved from http://www.middleages.org.uk/feudalism-in-england.htm Spartacus Educational Publishers Ltd. (2011). Norman Castles. Retrieved from http://spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/NORcastles.htm