The Normans

[nevermore]

The Normans

More photos on the website in the gallery section, miniatures, scenery - Grimsby club. 

http://www.victorian-steel.com/

The Normans came to govern England following one of the most famous battles in English history: the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Four Norman kings presided over a period of great change and development for the country.


how to do a screen shot

The Domesday Book, a great record of English land-holding, was published; the forests were extended; the Exchequer was founded; and a start was made on the Tower of London.


image sharing

In religious affairs, the Gregorian reform movement gathered pace and forced concessions, while the machinery of government developed to support the country while Henry was fighting abroad.


upload an image

Meanwhile, the social landscape altered dramatically, as the Norman aristocracy came to prominence. Many of the nobles struggled to keep a hold on their interests in both Normandy and England, as divided rule meant the threat of conflict.


temp image upload

This was the case when William the Conqueror died. His eldest son, Robert, became Duke of Normandy, while the next youngest, William, became king of England. Their younger brother Henry would become king on William II's death. The uneasy divide continued until Henry captured and imprisoned his elder brother.


upload a gif

The question of the succession continued to weigh heavily over the remainder of the period. Henry's son died, and his nominated heir Matilda was denied the throne by her cousin, Henry's nephew, Stephen.

There then followed a period of civil war. Matilda married Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou, who took control of Normandy. The duchy was therefore separated from England once again.


image uploader

A compromise was eventually reached whereby the son of Matilda and Geoffrey would be heir to the English crown, while Stephen's son would inherit his baronial lands.


image url upload

It meant that in 1154 Henry II would ascend to the throne as the first undisputed king in over 100 years - evidence of the dynastic uncertainty of the Norman period.

http://www.victorian-steel.com/

[Emeraldlis]

Wow , your miniatures are impressive . Looks like you lavished a lot of care and attention on them .

I love this period in English history , I don't think the Saxons were quite prepared for how much there whole way of life would change after William invaded and won by conquest the right to be king .

I really liked the Saxon structure of society , from the "weir guild" , or blood money that had to be paid as compensation for loss of life or injury  , a slave being viewed as the least valued , and the king being the highest .

The term "outlaw" comes from this period . For instance if a family group had a member , let's say a wayward cousin who couldn't manage to stop injuring people in robberies , and the family had to keep paying out "weir guild " to all the victims , they might decide to throw him outside of the family's protection , or outside the family law . He would have to leave and become a wanderer an "outlaw" , with no family .

I could go on ! But it's great to read your research on this slice of Brit history :)

[bayonetbrant]

Nevermore regularly teases us with his overly-awesome photos of enormous minis games.

I really liked the Saxon structure of society , from the "weir guild" , or blood money that had to be paid as compensation for loss of life or injury  , a slave being viewed as the least valued , and the king being the highest .

That Saxon culture is exactly what The Pellinen Islands were built around
Review here

[nevermore]

Thanks guys, learn something new everyday in this world of ours, thanks for the interesting info.

[undercovergeek]

Thanks guys, learn something new everyday in this world of ours, thanks for the interesting info.

im reading 'when christ and his saints slept' which covers the period youre talking about - im at the point where Stephen has just taken the throne

[Emeraldlis]

Oooh thanks for the link to the game brant  , that is definately right up my street !

I'm adding it to the growing list of games I need to buy ... I suspect hanging around this site , that list is gonna get pretty long ! You designed this game it seems , that's cool , I'll look forward to giving it a go .

Thanks barthman for the welcome , and nevermore I'll be on the lookout for your next re-enactment :)

[Emeraldlis]

If your intrested in this period of history undercover geek , there's an author called Ken follett who wrote a book called " the pillars of the earth " , it's set in the 1100's in England around the time period called the anarchy when maud /Matilda  and Stephen were fighting for the throne .

It's fictional , but with a lot of historical fact thrown in for good measure ! The book was turned into a mini series , and that was really good to :)

Your book sounds good though , and is ringing a bell with me ...I'm sure I've read reviews on it !