3. Suppression of rebellions in William's consolidation of power (III) - Hereward the Wake (East Anglia)

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  • Created by: Alasdair
  • Created on: 14-06-17 21:39
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  • 3. Suppression of rebellions in William's consolidation of power (III) - Hereward the Wake (East Anglia)
    • The Earls, Swein and Hereward
      • Final episode
      • Edwin and Morcar fled court again in 1071
      • Edwin soon killed but Morcar fled to East Anglia where he was able to join up with King Swein of Denmark and Lincolnshire thegn, Hereward the Wake
      • Marshes and fens provided rebels with ideal place from which to launch guerilla-style raids
        • e.g. Peterborough in 1070 where they looted and burnt the abbey
      • Rebels established base on Isle of Ely where they built great store of supplies to withstand any siege and could move in and out of area undetected
      • In 1070, Swein agreed with William to leave England with booty
      • Morcar surrendered and finished his life as a prisoner
      • Hereward continued to be nuisance but did not threaten Norman rule
    • The siege of Ely
      • William besieged Ey where Hereward was based:
        • 1. William constructed rampart to give him access but large number of soldiers who advanced over this was too great and weight caused it to sink into marshland
        • 2. William constructed siege towers and brought in a witch who, from one of the wooden towers, berated the town, Hereward and his followers before finishing each rant by revealing her anus to them.
        • 3. Hereward set fire to area lead to siege tower catching fire and witch falling and breaking her neck
        • 4. Finally, Hereward and his followers were betrayed by local monks who led Norman forces into town by secret path through marshes
        • 5. Brought about surrender of most of defenders and ended resistance
        • 6. Hereward however disappeared with his fate unclear

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