Month: March 2016

IMS Open Lecture Series. 11th-Century Conqueror Kings: A Comparative Approach to Cnut and William

Elizabeth van Houts, Honorary Professor in the Faculty of History, University of Cambridge

Date: 15-03-2016
Time: 17.30
Location: Nathan Bodington Council Chamber

As a result of modern historiographical conventions Cnut and William the Conqueror often find themselves discussed on either side of the 1066 divide in studies of medieval English history. The distortion resulting from such practice can easily wipe out the cumulative effect of evolving views on conquest by contemporaries. How did the survivors of Cnut’s regime react to William’s arrival? Did William’s entourage seek out advice from those who had witnessed Cnut in action? Can we gauge the awareness of the English around 1016 and 1066 as to what consequences of conquest were lying in store for them? Did they view the conqueror-rulers as foreigners from overseas threatening indigenous wealth and culture? Questions like these are not new, yet this commemorative year seems an appropriate point in time for us to ponder them, not least in view of our present discussion on England’s place in Europe.

Lecture on 'The Norman Conquest of Yorkshire' by Dr Paul Dalton

Anglo-Saxon/Norman iron axehead in the Manchester Museum collection
Anglo-Saxon/Norman iron axehead in the Manchester Museum collection

Victor Khadem, Programme Secretary for the Saddleworth Historical Society, has kindly provided details of a lecture assessing the impact of the Norman Conquest of Yorkshire on Wednesday at 7.30pm on 6th April at The Conservative Club, High Street, Uppermill. The lecture will be given by Dr Paul Dalton, a leading authority on the subject.

Even after defeating King Harold at the battle of Hastings in October 1066 and securing his coronation as king of the English at Westminster on Christmas day 1066, William the Conqueror still had much to do to complete the Norman Conquest of England. During the next five years he was confronted by a series of major English rebellions against his authority, some of which received support from Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Denmark. Yorkshire was the focus of some of the most determined resistance to Norman rule.

Viking reenactment enthusiasts
Determined resistance in York

This talk will explore the methods William used to deal with this resistance, and important aspects of the dramatic impact the Norman Conquest had on Yorkshire. It will also suggest that the region of Saddleworth might have been directly caught up, albeit briefly, in this process of Conquest.

Dr Paul Dalton is a Principal Lecturer in History at Canterbury Christ Church University. He has published widely on the political and religious history of the Anglo-Norman world, including a monograph book Conquest, Anarchy and Lordship: Yorkshire 1066-1154 published by Cambridge University Press.

Entry for non-members is £3.

Wednesday 6th April, 7:30 p.m.The Conservative Club, High Street, Uppermill