Impacts of Battle of Hastings on Lifestyle
As a result of the Battle of Hastings the lives of the English people had forever been changed due to the Norman culture being inflicted upon the Anglo- Saxons of England. As a result of William the Conqueror of Normandy invading England and after securing his position on the throne, he brought with him a new language and culture that was to be adopted, replacing the precious customs of over 300 years which were faced with mixed reactions.
Language
Due to William the Conqueror being of Norman descent he spoke but French and so enforced the French dialect upon the Latin speaking Anglo- Saxon’s. The English language that had been irreplaceable had been traded- first from Latin to then Norman French- as the language used by all in matters such as literature, law and official documentation. This then meant that Anglo- Saxons had to learn to read and write another language that been forced upon them by a conquering Norman king. This didn’t sit well with them and led to several rebellions all of which were minor and led to punishment being enforced as an example to others. ‘The impact the change of language had is still evident in a large section of the English vocabulary (60%) which is comprised of either Latin or French origin’ states Martin Windrow in the book ‘the Invaders’. He further goes onto state that another reason as to why the French Norman language had been implemented were for specifically French political motives.
Culture
Also into the culture and lifestyle of the English were the Norman traditions/ cultures adapted. Aspects such as the dress sense of the Norman’s. In the historical reference book ‘the Middle Ages’ by R.J. Instead he delves into depth about the styles of dress the Norman men and women were accustomed to the women, such as the women who wore their hair in plaits and at times had it covered with a veil, which later influenced aspects of headdress and clothing of the hair. The women would also wear to tunics at the same times, one being her undress and the other a shift like dress that would encompass most of the body. Her cloak would then be fastened with a cord. Also in accordance the Norman males would carry with them swords and battle- axes, or if they were an archer bows to display their strength and military aggression. (insert pic of lady in clothes).
As a result of this the lifestyle of the English Anglo-Saxons had greatly changed. They had in their social attitude know looked towards the North for domestic and religious customs while they also looked to the South for cultural inspiration. The author of the book ‘the Norman Conquest’ Frank Barlow manages to sum up exactly what it was the Norman had managed to establish within the lifestyle of the Anglo-Saxon English. ‘The Norman’s neither destroyed all thing English nor sank entirely into their background. Nor did they have enough time to assimilate all the ingrediaqnts and create a homogeneous structure. In 1153 the new kingdom was inchoate, diversified, inconsistent, capable of several different developments. There was increasing denationalization in the highest ranks…and a largely untouched indigenous population beneath, each with its own customs.’ Frank Barlow is here implying that although the Norman’s brought their culture with them at the type of conquering England the English still has their own cultures, and that neither culture diminished the other but in a sense combined together in certain aspects.