Rebellions and Control Under William (1069–75)

Rebellions against William (1069-71)

Resentment over Norman control, loss of land, high taxes, and brutality sparked widespread uprisings.

1069 Northumbrian Rebellion

Rebels killed Robert of Cumin (Norman earl). York was attacked and William had to respond violently.

Supporters of the Northumbrian rebellion of 1069

Danish Vikings (with 240 ships), local Anglo-Saxons, and Edgar Aetheling.

William's response to the 1069 rebellion

He paid the Danes to leave, then burned homes and crops in the Harrying of the North.

Harrying of the North (1069-70)

A brutal campaign of destruction to prevent further rebellion in Yorkshire and Northumbria.

Consequences of the Harrying of the North

Estimated 100,000 deaths, widespread famine, depopulation, and long-term control of the North.

English population reaction to the Harrying

With fear — it reduced future resistance but increased hatred of William.

Significance of the Harrying of the North

It demonstrated William's ruthlessness and crushed rebellion in the North permanently.

Edgar Aetheling

He was Edward the Confessor's great-nephew, had a legitimate claim to the throne, and led rebellions.

William's neutralisation of the Viking threat in 1069-70

He paid them off and watched their fleet closely until they left.

William's use of castles to control England

Built over 500 motte-and-bailey castles to intimidate locals and control key areas.

Effectiveness of castles

Symbol of Norman dominance, centres of administration and defence, hard for rebels to attack.

Motte-and-bailey castle

A wooden keep on a mound (motte) with an enclosed courtyard (bailey), surrounded by a ditch and palisade.

William's use of land ownership to control England

Took land from Anglo-Saxons and gave it to loyal Norman barons, creating a new elite.

Role of tenants-in-chief

Powerful Norman lords who held land from the king and helped enforce his rule.

Feudalism under William

A system where the king granted land in return for loyalty and military service.

William's reduction of English earls' power

He replaced them with smaller, loyal Norman lords to prevent any one man gaining too much power.

Role of sheriffs under William

Collected taxes, enforced law, and kept order in local areas — now mostly Normans.

William's use of the Church to maintain control

Appointed loyal Normans like Lanfranc as Archbishop of Canterbury and removed Anglo-Saxon bishops.

Changes made by Lanfranc to the Church

Reorganised dioceses, built cathedrals, and enforced strict discipline — aligned Church with Norman rule.

Ely Rebellion (1070-71)

Led by Hereward the Wake and supported by Danes and locals, it used the marshy Isle of Ely as a base.

Suppression of the Ely Rebellion

William built causeways to access the marsh and bribed locals — Hereward disappeared.

Hereward the Wake

A local thegn turned rebel leader in East Anglia — a symbol of Saxon resistance.

Revolt of the Earls (1075)

An attempted coup by Norman and Anglo-Norman lords unhappy with William's rule.

Leaders of the Revolt of the Earls (1075)

Ralph de Gael, Roger de Breteuil, and Waltheof (who later betrayed the plot).

Failure of the Revolt of the Earls

Poor coordination, Waltheof's betrayal, and quick suppression by William's loyalists.

Fate of the rebels in 1075

Ralph fled, Roger was imprisoned, and Waltheof was executed — the only English earl to be put to death by William.

Significance of the 1075 revolt

It was the last serious rebellion against William — after this, control was total.

Long-term effects of William's rule

Complete replacement of English elite, stronger royal power, and transformation of Church and society.

Reasons for William's success in keeping control (1069-75)

Ruthless punishments, military strength, use of castles, land redistribution, Church reform, and elimination of all threats.