Topic outline
-
Commentary
Feudalism is the second method you need to know about in terms of looking at how William maintained control. With 10,000 Normans and 2 million Saxons, William needed to retain a strict hierarchy of control. This also meant that he needed failsafes in order to ensure no one baron could grow too great in his power and seek to overthrow him. This is why we see the concept of 'bastard-feudalism', and the checks and balances within this system which was designed to ensure the power of the King remained paramount.