Loyalty Through Land
William used land to reward loyalty.
Anyone who wanted wealth or power had to remain loyal to the king.
This helped William keep control of the nobility.
Military Control
The feudal system allowed William to raise armies quickly.
If William needed soldiers:
- Barons had to provide knights
- Knights had to fight for the king
This meant William could respond rapidly to rebellions.
Local Control
Barons governed local areas for the king.
They:
- Collected taxes
- Enforced laws
- Maintained order
- Controlled castles
This helped William rule the whole country more effectively.
Castles and the Feudal System
Many barons built castles on their lands.
These castles:
- Protected Norman rule
- Intimidated local people
- Crushed resistance
The feudal system and castle building worked together to strengthen Norman control.