CONQUEST AND CONSOLIDATION THE STRUGGLE AFTER HASTINGS

The Immediate Campaign Relatively easy for William Secured control of South-East Indiscriminate killing in Romney. Why? Secured Canterbury. Why? Secured Dover. Why?

Outside the Vicinity English showed little inclination to surrender Rallying around Edgar Atheling English leadership allowed William to march unimpeded William took Winchester. Importance of this? Looped around to the north and west of London. Policy of wasting. Why? Trickle of surrenders turned into a flood. Why?

Fall from Grace Earls Edwin and Morcar submit Archbishop Ealdred of York submits Edgar Atheling surrenders Christmas Day 1066: Coronation

Rebellion and Retreat Series of dangerous rebellions from 1067 to 1071 Key rebellions reveal the extent and danger to William First challenge is in South-East where English ‘rebels’ ally with Count Eustace of Boulogne Eadric the Wild with Welsh alliance causes trouble in the border in 1067 Exeter rebelled in 1068 Harold’s ‘bastard’ sons raid coast from Ireland

The Greatest Threat The North posed the greatest danger. Why? 4 reasons Two important Norman detachments destroyed at Durham and York William forced to take to the field three times in extended campaigns HARRYING OF THE NORTH

HEREWARD THE WAKE The last major threat came in 1071 when Earls Edwin and Morcar rebelled Edwin killed by followers. Why? Morcar escaped to Ely but William captured Ely in 1071 Norman rule secure by 1071 but failed revolt led by Waltheof in 1075 and another English revolt in 1080

Making It Look Simple William had a challenging situation but some advantages; Many leading Saxon warriors killed at Hastings Heirs to the greatest families were young and inexperienced Edgar Atheling lacked a power base English had no strong leadership

Difficult Odds English had large reservoir of warriors Rebellions hard to predict William’s forces contained many mercenaries William was fighting in hostile and unfamiliar territory HOWEVER, WILLIAM HAD ONE IMPORTANT TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE…

CASTLES Allowed William to dominate wealthy English towns Protect scattered Norman garrisons Made it difficult for rebels to unify their efforts THEY COULD NOT ENSURE VICTORY BUT THEY HELPED Orderic Vitalis emphasized the importance of castles but…

Political Savvy William’s political ability to handle his enemies vital as well GAINED SURPRISING AMOUNT OF ENGLISH SUPPORT ONCE HE WAS CROWNED, including military support which he used against rebels. William never faced an entire revolt from the English aristocracy. Many remained loyal or neutral and even when they did revolt, William could often gain their temporary obedience. WILLIAM ULTIMATELY DISMANTLED THE EXISTING POWER STRUCTURE DESTROYING THE ENGLISH ARISTOCRACY REPLACING THE HIGHEST RANKS OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH

Undermining the Native Elites Appearance of trying to rule with remaining English elite Claimed to act as Edward the Confessor’s legitimate heir Respected traditional laws and institutions Called native aristocrats and churchmen to his councils Arranged marriages between English and Norman followers Married a kinswoman to Earl Waltheof Domesday Book reveals he rewarded English followers POWERFUL NATIVES HOPED TO RETAIN THEIR POSITION BY SUPPORTING WILLIAM

Breaking the Elite Ruling in conjunction with remaining native elite may not have been a cynical ploy During rebellions decided to break the leadership of native elite In the church he already had begun appointing his own followers to key positions as posts became available Policy hastened by removing people from posts for various infractions. Removed Stigand. In 1073 only 2 out of 15 bishops were natives. In 1087 there was only 1.

Domesday Revelations All but lowest fringes of Anglo-Saxon crushed through dispossession By time of Domesday only 6% of land held by English Invaders continued to seize land after Domesday! Only a fairly small number of English noble families remained as nobles William helped by voluntary exile –service in Varangian guard etc. WILLIAM NEVER DISPOSSESSED ALL THE ENGLISH THUS GIVING HOPE TO SOME OF HOLDING ON

THE IRREVERSIBLE CONQUEST The destruction of the local elite meant the conquest was permanent The conquest was not inevitable but depended on the actions of individuals. Without William the conquest would not have happened Williams actions before 1066 served him well. It enabled him to build up a core of loyal supporters and acquire reputation of a good lord WILLIAM’S LEADERSHIP and ruthlessness WAS CRUCIAL as was his role as a good Lord