3.14 The Harrying of the North

Question 1

When was the Harrying of the North?

Answer 1

1069 - 1070

Question 2

Who were the main allies for the harrying of the north?

Answer 2

• Edwin and Morcar
• Edgar the Aetheling
• King Malcolm of Scotland (married to Edgar’s sister)

Question 3

What were the three main events in January 1069 which spiralled the Harrying of the North out of control?

Answer 3

• Norman Earl Robert of Commines and his men were murdered by English rebels.
• Bishop of Durham’s house was set on fire.
• Edgar attacked city of York.

Question 4

How were the vikings involved in the Harrying of the North?

Answer 4

Danish vikings in 240 ships invaded in summer 1069 and joined with English army led by English earls, Edgar and Waltheof.

Question 5

In what way were the rebels successful?

Answer 5

Joint English and Danish army defeated Norman forces outside castle in York and captured castle itself.

Question 6

How did William deal with the vikings?

Answer 6

As William approached, vikings returned to ships and William paid them money to leave, which they accepted.

Question 7

How did William deal with the rebellions in the North? (5)

Answer 7

• Laid waste to vast areas of land around York.
• Burning and salting the fields.
• Killing any living creatures.
• Domesday Book records that 80% of Yorkshire was known as waste.
• Uncultivated and unpopulated.

Question 8

How did William deal with the Scots? (2)

Answer 8

• He invaded Scotland.
• Came to a treaty/truce => William gets Edgar removed and malcolm’s acknowledgement as his overlord; Malcolm gets Cumbria (land.

Question 9

Why did William act so brutally? (2)

Answer 9

• Many in the north were dissatisfied with taxation and felt it was better to rebel => used to acting independently.
• He’d tried to deal with north peacefully after Conquest but they rebelled. Best was to manage it was to depopulate it.