The Early Norman Kings
William the Conqueror- established feudalism in England
Domesday Book- survey of all the land, livestock, and people
- handed out land to his Norman followers, made the Anglo-Saxons into serfs
- did not give his nobles much power
Henry II- William's grandson
- made important changes to law- appointed royal judges, tried to limit noble privileges- such as trial by combat
- struggled with the Church- wanted all decisions made in royal courts
Thomas Becket- Archbishop of Canterbury- Church official- disagreed
- Becket was murdered by some of Henry II's knights- Henry II was punished by the Church
- Henry married Eleanor of Aquitaine- wealthy French noblewoman- his sons Richard and John claimed much of France as theirs