Rebels, including Edgar Etheling, Waltheof (son of previous earl of Northumbria) and Gospatrick, burned down the Bishop's house in Durham - with the Norman earl Robert of Commines inside. This could have been to do with independence [everyone struggled to control the North e.g. Tostig], or to do with the crown [Edgar Etheling]. Rebelling spread to York, where Norman garrison (left to guard) came under attack. William stormed North to relieve them.
The Viking army in a fleet of 240 ships - led by Swegn's sons (Canute and Godwin's nephews) landed at Humber and marched on York, wanting money. They received support from Anglo-Scandinavians and Edgar Etheling. They seized York and encouraged revolts in Dorset, Cheshire, Somerset and Staffordshire.Malcolm - King of Scotland - allied himself with Edgar Etheling by marrying his sister Judith.
William devastated the countryside of the North and slaughtered all males over 5. He burned York and after Xmas, systematically destroyed Yorkshire. He marched through the Pennines ot Cheshire and took it, subdued Stafford and went back to Winchester. The Vikings accepted a bribe and left. Waltheof was given the earldom of Northumbria - he had a genuine reason for rebelling.
Comments
Report
Report