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

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