1. The Harrying of the North
Monday 6th October
The Harrying of the North
William undertook the repression of the northern rebellion. Elsewhere order was restored chiefly by the local garrisons and barons aided by the loyal elements of the fyrd. As the king rode north the Danes withdrew down the Humber and eventually encamped on the farther bank. After detaching some of his forces in order to contain them William turned against the Staffordshire rebels and defeated them. On his way back to meet the Danes he learned that they had re-entered York, so he advanced from Nottingham on the northern capital, and by laying waste to the surrounding areas drove the invader out. Devastation and depopulation were the traditional methods chosen by the king to deny the countryside to the Danes and to punish a rebellious people.
‘The Feudal Kingdom of England’ Barlow
According to Frank Barlow, was William doing anything untoward when he harried the North?

2. Objectives Examine primary evidence of the Harrying
Evaluate interpretations of the Harrying

3. What do the sources say…
Read the sources regarding the Harrying of the North
What is consistent across all sources?
Are there any notable differences?
We will call the first Orderic quote ‘Source A’, William of Malmsbury will be ‘Source B’:
Explain how far the views in Source B differ from those in Source A in relation to the Harrying of the North. (12 marks)
EXT - compare Orderic to himself! How does the William of the Harrying compare to the William of his deathbed? Do we believe this deathbed confession or is Orderic stating what he should have said?

4. Explain how far the views in Source B differ from those in Source A in relation to the Harrying of the North. (12 marks)
Levels Mark Scheme
Nothing written worthy of credit. 0
L1: Answers will either briefly paraphrase/describe the content of the two sources or identify simple comparison(s) between the sources. Skills of written communication will be weak. 1-2
L2: Responses will compare the views expressed in the two sources and identify some differences and/or similarities. There may be some limited own knowledge. Answers will be coherent but weakly expressed. 3-6
L3: Responses will compare the views expressed in the two sources, identifying differences and similarities and using own knowledge to explain and evaluate these. Answers will, for the most part, be clearly expressed. 7-9
L4: Responses will make a developed comparison between the views expressed in the two sources and will apply own knowledge to evaluate and to demonstrate a good contextual understanding. Answers will, for the most part, show good skills of written communication

5. Pair work One of you is a northerner writing the newspaper article:
Ferocious Frenchman’s rampage of terror
One of you is a Norman writing the newspaper article:
Wonderful William regains control

6. Plenary
Why do you think William’s response was so severe?