The East Anglian rebellion

Who were the leaders of the East Anglian rebellion?

Hereward the Wake and in 1071 Earl Morcar made a stand

Who was Hereward the Wake?

A local thegn whose lands had been confiscated by the Normans

What were the geographical advantages of the Isle of Ely?

It had direct sea access so could receive reinforcements from English exiles and was surrounded by marshland which created a natural defensive barrier

Who occupied the Isle of Ely?

Danish fleets

How was the Isle of Ely strategically located?

Fleets could strike Northwards to Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, east into the Midlands and south to London

Where did Hereward (with Danish backing) raid in early June 1070?

Peterborough

How did William deal with the threat?

Through diplomacy and force

How did William deal with the most important factor of the Danes?

He bought them off and they sailed home in midsummer 1070

What did William send to the Isle of Ely in the summer of 1071?

A naval blockade

Why did William move his army to Aldreth?

The surrounding water and swamp was narrower

What did William construct in the marsh?

A causeway

What did the causeway consist of?

Large tree trunks, sheep-skins, timber and stone

What did the causeway allow the Norman army to do?

Advance and launch a successful assault

What caused the many Norman deaths?

The initial movement onto the causeway was too heavy and sudden causing the men to sink and drown sue to the heavy weight of their armour

What happened to Morcar and Edwin?

Morcar was imprisoned for life in 1071 and Edwin was most likely killed when attempting to flee to Scotland

What was important about the defeat of Morcar and Edwin?

They were 2 of William's most significant opponents

What happened to Hereward?

He disappeared