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Hey Jamie, did you catch that history lecture on the Normans today? |
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Yeah, I did! It was really fascinating. I knew a bit about the Norman Conquest before, but the lecture really added depth to my understanding. |
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Same here. I knew about William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, but I didn't realize how much the Normans influenced English society afterwards. |
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Exactly. Their impact was huge. To start with, they completely reshaped the English aristocracy. After the conquest, William replaced the Anglo-Saxon nobility with Norman lords. That really centralized power under the monarchy. |
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They also introduced the feudal system, which structured society in a way that linked everyone to the king. And the lecture mentioned that the Domesday Book was another significant contribution. |
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I found that part really interesting. It was this huge survey of England's lands and resources, kind of like an early census. That allowed William to efficiently tax and control the land. |
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Right. The Domesday Book was an incredible administrative feat for its time. And did you notice how the Normans influenced the English language? A lot of legal and administrative terms we use today have Norman roots. |
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That's a good point. Words like "court," "judge," and "jury" all come from the Norman origins. Their influence extended into law and governance as well. |
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And it wasn't just England that they affected. The Normans had a significant impact on other parts of Europe too, like in Sicily and parts of the Mediterranean. They were amazing seafarers and warriors. |
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It really is. The Normans were not just conquerors; they were also administrators and builders who left a lasting legacy in many parts of Europe. I'm definitely inspired to read more about them after today's lecture. |
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Me too. Maybe we can form a study group and dive deeper into some of these topics, Clare. There's just so much to learn about the Normans and their impact on history. |
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Great idea, Jamie. I'm in! |
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