Explain Why William Introduced the System of Military

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Explain why William introduced the system of military feudalism into England. (12 marks)

William introduced the military feudal system into England because instantly, when William had finally conquered England in 1066, he became the most powerful man in the country; but he couldn’t take military action without an army. He had limited access to his Norman soldiers as they were back in Normandy and would take a few months to transport them all across the channel for his defence. Military feudalism made every tenant-in-chief provide soldiers for the King’s army on condition for holding land for the King. A fixed number of troops were then created called the ‘servitium debitum’ which could produce around five thousand soldiers if called upon by William: military feudalism to secure a huge army, organisation and sophistication of the military.

William the conqueror also introduced military feudalism, over an extended period of time, because he owed land, in return for previous service and support, to both Anglo-Saxon and Norman supporters during his conquest of England. Anglo-Saxon Ednoth was allowed to keep his thirty holdings and Wigan was allowed to retain his role as a lord overseeing Wallingford. Although initially many earldoms were kept by Anglo-Saxon Earls, the earldom of Wessex was given to William’s Norman half-brother Odo of Bayeux. Another example is Norman William FitzOsbern, cousin and companion to the Conqueror, who was made Earl of Hereford and lord of the Isle of Wight. William gave land and power mainly to the Norman’s because he trusted them with his power. These Norman could build dominating castles which would secure authority in the landscape and in turn decreasing chance of rebellions; without the introduction of feudalism there would be no land free to give away.

Another use of military feudal system is that it yielded revenue for

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