Norman Revision 4 - Revolts, and William's actions Flashcards
Revolt of Edwin and Morcar, 1068
Why did the revolt begin? 5 points
1) William promised Edwin could marry his daughter, but changed his mind. Also Edwin angry that his earldom reduced in power + status
2) Morcar’s earldom reduced in size - parts given away (e.g. Yorkshire). He lost land and wealth.
3) While W. in Normandy 1066-9, left Bishop Odo of Bayeux and William FitzOsbern in charge. Seized land unlawfully and allowed their soldiers to rape and pillage the surrounding lands.
4) Other English Earls (e.g. Gospatric) resented W.’s control. Felt that his sheriffs exceeded their authority in areas that had been the jurisdiction of the Earls alone.
5) Anglo - Saxons resented harsh ‘geld tax’ introduced in 1066. Lots of it spent in Normandy. Also resented new castles being built, which had led to the destruction of many towns.
How did William defeat Edwin and Morcar’s rebellion of 1068? 5 points
1) W. immediately marched North, building castles as he went.
2) Seized and built castles in Warwick and Nottingham, which helped him to regain control of the region and impose control.
3) W. instructed his men to ‘harry wherever they came’ (destroy houses, livestock, and farms). Actions were a strong show of force that intimidated his rivals into submission.
4) Edwin and Morcar surrendered as soon as W. took control of Warwick = rebellion collapsed. Citizens of York sent W. hostages as sign of surrender. Edgar lost nerve and fled to Scotland.
5) W.’s show of strength and ruthlessness ended the rebellion. Against the might of his army, it was clear that the rebels had to chance of success.
Why did the revolt of Edgar Aethling in 1069 begin? (his first revolt of 2) 3 points
1) After rebellion of E + M, Robert Cumin appointed Earl of Northumbria. Jan 1069, RC took army to Northumbria and attacked towns and villages.
2) Northumbrians rose up and slaughtered the Normans. RC burned to death.
3) News of attack spread quickly and other rebels started to rise up. Group went to York and began a siege of new Norman castle. At same time, Edgar Aethling crossed border from Scotland to lead the rebels.
How did William defeat the first rebellion of Edgar Aethling in 1069? 2 points
1) Acted with speed and savagery. Marched army north, harrying as he did. Broke the siege in York and rebels fled, including Edgar. Burned down York to send a message.
2) To secure control, built a second castle in York and appointed William Fitzosbern as the castellan.
Why did the second revolt of Edgar Aethling in 1069 begin? 3 points
1) Sep 1069, King of Denmark arrived on English coast with large fleet. Thought that William was vulnerable and could be defeated.
2) Danes joined Edgar’s troops and organised co-ordinated attack that would be a serious threat to William.
3) Combined army marched on York, slaughtered the 3,000 Normans stationed there and burned down the city and both its castles. William’s control of the north was under enormous pressure
How did William defeat the second rebellion of Edgar Aethling in 1069? 4 points
1) Danes and rebels split up. Danes sailed across River Humber to Lincolnshire while Anglo Saxon rebels scattered across the country.
2) W. marched north to hunt down the rebels. But as soon as he would arrive in one rebellious area the rebels would disappear and another rebellion would spring up elsewhere. Soon W. was facing rebellions all across the north of England.
3) W. decided to deal with Danes first. Paid the King a large amount of money to leave England. Anglo Saxon rebels no longer had support of the Danish fleet.
4) 1069-70, W. embarked on campaign of total destruction (‘Harrying of the North’). Ordered his men to destroy livestock, burn down towns and villages, burn grain stores, and set fires to fields. Plan was to make life impossible in north to supress the rebellions and intimidate the rest of England into submission.
What were the causes of the rebellion of Hereward the Wake at Ely in 1070-71? 5 points.
1) 1070, Danes returned to England and set up camp of the Isle of Ely. Excellent defensive location as surrounded by swamp and water that was difficult to navigate.
2) East Anglia part of Danelaw so Danish King made alliance with local people, including rebel leader Hereward the Wake - a local thegn that was exiled under Edward and had returned to England in 1069 to find his lands had been seized by a Norman lord.
3) Angry that Archbishop of Peterborough had been replaced by a Norman
4) In 1071, Morcar joined Hereward and met him in Ely - William had to fight both and the Danish fleet
5) Inspired other rebellions e.g. Eadric the Wild in Shrewsbury
How did William defeat the rebellion of Hereward the Wake at Ely in 1071? (4 points)
1) William sent secret message to Danes offering huge sums of money if they left
2) Marched to Ely himself, attacked with ferocity + mutilated survivors. Norman cavalry overwhelmed Hereward’s army.
3) Local lords dealt with rebellions in Shrewsbury and Exeter. Treatment of Hereward caused many rebellions to stop.
4) Maintained support of his army with promise of rewards: taxes and land taken from Anglo Saxons. Also won over some AS to help
William’s effective leadership was the main reason he defeated the Anglo Saxon rebellions. How far do you agree? (4 points)
1 - William’s effective and decisive leadership
2 - William’s use of violence and intimidation
3 - William’s use of castles to impose control
4 - The weakness of rebellions
William’s effective and decisive leadership - evidence
- 1068 - W marched north, seized control of two important cities –> caught rebels by surprise + stopped rebellion gaining traction
- 1069 - W marched north - quicker than Edgar expected, defeated him in open battle
- often dealt with rebellions himself, marching his army to defeat the rebels in battle
