Rebellions after 1066

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The March to London.

  • October-December 1066
  • William encountered very little resistance and was crowned in relative peace.
  • This was due to the eradication of the Godwine Clan and 1/2 of Saxon Nobility- no leader to rally behind.
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Kent 1067

  • Led by Eustace of Bologne- William's former vassal. (He had his own agenda concerning trading rights and money)
  • Was an isolated incident- contained in Dover.
  • This meant that it offered no real threat to William- rather it had a 'nuisance value'
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Exeter 1068

  • Unsurprising to find resistance in Harold Godwinson's Wessex- the rebellion was led by his three sons.
  • Unsuccessful, because it was far away from London- the seat of power, and by this point, Saxons were aiding the Normans in crushing rebellions.
  • The solitary Saxon nature of this act of resistance made its impact minimal.
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Mercia 1068

  • Led by Edwin, Moracer and Gwyneed, a Welsh prince.
  • The significance of these three leaders made this act of resistance more of a threat to the Normans.
  • Was much further north than some previous acts of resistance.
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Yorkshire 1069

  • VERY important rebellion- shows a change in Norman tactics.
  • Up untill now, William had been attempting to maintain an Anglo-Norman state.
  • Many powerful people were involved, including Edgar Atheling, Malcom, King of the Scots and King Swegn of Denmark. This is described as a 'Dangerous Anti-Norman Coalition' as the Danes could not be trusted- they only wanted money.
  • Led to the 'Harryng of the North' during which William laid waste to the land, destroying livestock and crops so that nothing grew there for decades.
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Montacute 1069

  • Led by Harold's three sons again- but drew support from London, Winchester and Salisbury as well as ships from Ireland.
  • Was in protest of Robert of Mortain's castle.
  • It 'failed to command universal support' and the three sons fled to Ireland.
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Fens 1070/1071

  • Took place in East Anglia.
  • Included Edwin and Morcar as well as Saxon and Danish leaders including Eadric the Wild and Hereward the Wake.
  • 'Without the Danes, the cause was hopeless'- They didn't fully support it.
  • Was a victory for William, as Edwin and Morcar died- Edwin having beeen betrayed by his own men.
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1075- many locations!

  • 'Marks a watershed in the conquest- it was one of 'the only two risings which could have potentially toppled the Norman regime'
  • It involved a Norman: Ralph de Gael. Breton: Roger de Bretuil. and Saxon: Earl Waltheof.
  • This made it 'potentially disastrous for William's rule' as resistance was led in France as well as the Norwich castle sieges.
  • It was the 'last act of resistance in which the English had a major active interest'- afterwards, it is safe to say that William was reasonably secure in his kingship.
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