1. CONQUEST AND CONSOLIDATION
THE STRUGGLE AFTER HASTINGS

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

3. 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?

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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…

10. 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…

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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