Rebellions Against William
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
REBELLIONS AGAINST WILLIAM REVOLT OF EDWIN & MORCAR (1068) REBELLIONS IN THE NORTH (1069) HEREWARD THE WAKE (1070-71) REVOLT OF THE EARLS (1075) Edwin and Morcar (earls of Mercia and One of William’s supporters, Robert The Danes returned to England in This rebellion was different - Normans rebelled as well as Anglo-Saxons. Northumbria) started an uprising in Cumin (earl of northern Northumbria), 1070 and set up in the Fens. The revolt was planned by three earls: Ralph de Gael (Norman), Roger de the north of England; supported by was murdered in Durham. They were helped by local thegn Breteuil (Norman) and Waltheof (Anglo-Saxon). They plotted at Ralph’s Edgar. Then, there was an uprising in York, Hereward the Wake, who was wedding feast. They were upset because William had supported by Edgar (but William’s army fighting a guerrilla war against the Waltheof had links with Denmark – they expected Danish support. made their lands smaller, and they stopped it). Normans. The revolt happened while William was away in Normandy, leaving hated his castles and heavy geld tax. Sep 1069: Edgar joined forces with Sweyn Hereward and the Danes raided Archbishop Lanfranc in charge of England. William stopped the rebellion by of Denmark and attacked York. Their Peterborough Abbey, but the Danes They were angry with William for making their earldoms smaller and chasing after the rebels, building forces scattered, causing small rebellions went back to Denmark with its giving some of their powers to sheriffs. castles as he went. Edwin and Morcar all over the country. treasures! Things went wrong: Waltheof backed out and told Lanfranc, who surrendered. William knew he couldn’t defeat them so The rebellion ended when the threatened to excommunicate Roger; other earls across the country used William forgave the earls but kept he paid the Danes to leave! He then Normans captured Ely. Hereward their troops to block Ralph and Roger in their earldoms; the Danes didn’t them as ‘guests’ in his court. Edgar punished the North to stop future escaped and was never heard of dare fight William! fled to Scotland. rebellion. again. After the revolt, Ralph escaped, Roger was put in prison and Waltheof was executed. Significance: THE SUBMISSION OF THE EARLS (1066) HARRYING OF THE NORTH (1069-70) The revolt showed that some Normans disliked William’s rule, not just After Hastings, the Witan named Edgar king Campaign of destruction to punish the North and Anglo-Saxons. (teenager – weak!) stop them rebelling again. SECURING The earls coming together to stop the revolt shows that many people did support William. William marched towards London, destroying William’s troops destroyed villages, burned crops, NORMAN homes and farms along the way. killed animals and even salted the earth. After the revolt, William continued to come down hard on the Anglo- Important Anglo-Saxon nobles submitted to Many people starved and lost their homes, so had CONTROL Saxons (e.g. Waltheof was executed). William at Berkhamstead (including Edgar, Edwin to leave the region. The threat of a Danish invasion scared William; in 1085, he went to and Morcar). The area was ruined for years afterwards – still extreme lengths to boost England’s defences. William was crowned king Christmas Day 1066. classed as wasteland in Domesday Book 1086! William later regretted being so cruel. MILITARY FORCE MARCHER EARLDOMS HOW WILLIAM KEPT CONTROL LANDHOLDING REWARDING FOLLOWERS William used force 3 new earldoms on the Land was taken off Anglo- CASTLES LEGITIMATE KING when necessary; he Welsh border (trouble- Saxons and given to William encouraged was a feared warrior. spot – history of attacks). Normans, who were less loyalty by rewarding Around 500 motte and bailey William stressed that He forced people to Each was centred on a likely to rebel. followers. castles were built by the Normans. Edward had promised him submit on his way from large town: Hereford, By 1087 less than 5% of land He let Anglo-Saxon This type of castle was new to the throne therefore he Hastings to London, by Shrewsbury & Chester. England. was the rightful king. was held by Anglo-Saxons. earls like Edwin & destroying their homes All 3 were given as 3 ways of taking land: Morcar keep their Built in key locations (e.g. rivers, He travelled around England and farms. rewards to people who forfeit; land grabs; creating land (to start with). borders). so his power was visible. He dealt with had been loyal to William. new earldoms (e.g. He gave land to Quick to build and hard to attack. He held royal ceremonies rebellions harshly, e.g. Marcher earls had special Marchers). family friends, e.g. Physical reminder of Norman (e.g. oath-taking) just as Harrying of the North, rights: could build castles William owned all the land in Odo of Bayeux. power. Anglo-Saxons kings had execution of Waltheof. without asking the king; the country – Anglo-Saxons After Hastings he Key features: bailey, motte done. Using force made paid less tax; more had to pay to keep using it. sent gifts to the (mound), keep, gatehouse, His official seal was put on people afraid to control of the law; smaller When a landholder died Pope and Church palisade fence, ditch. coins and official challenge his rule. & easier to manage than supporters in documents. without an heir, the land other earldoms. went back to William. Normandy. .