Normandy was William's priority and he relied on sub-regulus Odo and Lanfranc.
He was crowned in the same public coronation and anointment as the English.
He wanted continiuty to strengthen his claim by taking solemn promices to be just and pious.
Only one able to pass laws, raise an army, mint coins, make decisions head of the Church and head of Justice. He managed to keep this power.
Only 3 baronial revolts in 1075, 1088 and 1095. Strong leader, respected.
Patronage used as a lever, helpful advisors.
He heard royal pleas, for land and inheritance.
William II wrote a coronation charter and physical symbols of kingdom.
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Royal duties
Crowning and crown wearing ceremonies showed authority.
Always crowned at Wincester in Easter, at Christmas in Gloucester and at Whitsun in Westminster. He listened to pleas and gave minting licenses on his trips.
Edgar, king of Scotland, carried a sword to William for homage.
The royal seal was used on charters showing the king as a knight.
Priests (for religion and scribing), family members and earls in itinerant households.
Lords provided for households to hold the Curia Regis.
Titles did not changed but the personnel did.
There were chancellors and more people in the household.
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Sheriffs
Hides, hundreds then shires.
One hide would support one family, 30 acres.
Hundreds were divisions of shires with 100ish hides.
Sheriffs enforced writs, but in AS England they just collected tax and fines.
Sheriffs showed continuity- they had no Norman equivalent.
Existing English sheriffs were replaced with Normans.
Earldoms became smaller and less powerful than sherriffs.
1070, all sheriffs were Norman- Tofi of Somerset and Edmund of Hertfordshire were replaced.
Roger of Hertford rebelled since the sheriffs were too powerful in his earldom.
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Tax
Danegeld most common tax, 2 shillings to a shire reeve.
Shire reeves became sherriffs for a Wincester treasury. Roads and rivers had tolls.
Special taxes could be introduced- 1084, war in France, tax increased to 6 shillings.
Exempted his inner circle and the church from taxes. William also had royal land revenue.
Sophisticated coinage, 60 mints for the silver penny.
No foreign coins were allowed and the crown controlled the mint.
Every 3 years coins were re-minted to keep the silver pure.
1125, minters took some silver for themselves- William took thier hands and castrated them.
Same amount of money in 1086 as pre-conquest, 9 million pennies.
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Legal System
Mostly continuity- William saw himself as Edward's heir
More serious cases went to more important leaders.
The king held ultimate authority- or his regent if he was absent.
All shire courts had different customs and precedents (recent cases).
William made them meet more than twice a year in different locations.
Royal justices carried out random inspections.
Who was present and the punishment vaired- bishops and sheriffs often came.
There were around 730 hundred courts once a month.
The Normans invented Lords courts and Forest law courts.
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Punishments
Mudrum fine for murdering a Normon to a village.
Ordeals by fire and water the same, trial by combat added.
Hanging, mutilation, limb loss, blinding and castration used more often.
More poverty meant more thievery. More Normans, more violence
No police force so the community had to catch criminals.
Outlaws did not go to court and could be killed by anyone.
A good reputation helped you get away with anything.
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