Edgar Aetheling and the Rebellions in the north

Edgar Aetheling and the Rebellions in the north 1069 Rebellion 1 Edgar, by now 17, clearly resented the Norman rule and wanted to claim the throne. He had fled to Scotland to prepare a rebellion just as Edwin and Morcar had fled to their lands in the north but Edwin and Morcar had surrendered in 1068. Edgar waited for his chance. It came when the people of Durham rebelled and even defeated a small Norman armed force sent to fight them. They burned the Norman leader(Robert Comyn) to death when he took shelter in the Bishop of Durham’s house by setting fire to the house. The rebels went next to York to attack the new Norman castle there, they couldn’t take the castle but they laid siege to it. Edgar came south to lead them. Revolt of Edwin and Morcar 1068 In 1068, two of the main English earls and a possible heir to the throne, Edwin, Morcar and Edgar the Aetheling left London and fled north to gather support for a rebellion. Edwin seemed to be upset that he hadn’t been able to marry one of William’s daughters, despite being promised, and Morcar seems to have been upset at being replaced as Earl of Northumbria, despite being told he could keep his title. Morcar and Edwin went to their lands in the north and Edgar went to Scotland to gather support.

Edgar Aetheling and the Rebellions in the north 1069 Rebellion 2 With William back in the south, rebellion broke out in the north once more in autumn 1069. Edgar returned from Scotland to lead the rebellion once more. This time the Danish Vikings were also involved, they raided up the east coast of England from the south up to Yorkshire and then anchored their ships in the River Humber in Yorkshire. Edgar the Aetheling, the northern rebels and any troops that Edgar had brought with him from Scotland this time managed to seize York, destroy castles and slaughter all the Normans left in York by William. Some reports suggest the Danes helped, some suggest they stayed on their ships in the Humber but they were certainly potential allies of Edgar and a danger to William. Hereward the Wake 1070 This time in East Anglia an Anglo-Saxon thegn rebelled using the Isle of Ely as a base (small island). King Swein of Denmark came himself this time, probably unhappy at the lack of success of the army he sent in 1069. Hereward and the Danes attacked Peterborough cathedral and stole all the silver, gold and jewelled ornaments there, carrying them back to Ely. This was a bold and successful attack and attracted more rebels to join Hereward. Morcar travelled to join in.

Revolt of Edwin and Morcar Edgar Aetheling and the Rebellions in the north 1069 Rebellion 1 Why did the rebellion fall apart? As soon as William heard of the potential for trouble he marched with his army to meet the northern rebels, stopping to build castles such as one in the Mercian city of Warwick which cut Edwin and Morcar from Edgar and Scotland in the north and so they submitted to William once again. They were forgiven. Edgar stayed in Scotland for the time being. William’s Leadership The lack of English Military Strength + Lack of Coordination The Lack of a Recognised English Leader Castles Where will you put your info? William marched north to meet the rebels, burning, destroying and killing on his way through Northumbria to intimidate his enemy. As news of William’s march reached the rebels, they melted away. Edgar the Aetheling fled to Scotland. William ordered another castle to be built in York. The English rebels seemed to be using guerilla factics which means causing damage to your enemy but avoiding serious battle. It is a common tactic for a weaker army to use, knowing they have little chance of winning a pitched battle. William returned south. William’s Leadership The Lack of a Recognised English Leader The lack of English Military Strength + Lack of Coordination Castles Where will you put your info?

Edgar Aetheling and the Rebellions in the north 1069 Rebellion 2 How did William deal with this? William had two problems; the rebels in York and the Danes in the River Humber. He chose two different methods of dealing with the two problems. Firstly, he took an army and marched straight at York, the English fled again (guerrilla tactics) just as they had done the first time. William tried to hunt the English rebels down. Secondly, he sent messengers to the Danish Viking ships and offered to pay the Danes to go away. The idea was probably that the Danes would be intimidated by the Norman action against the English rebels at York and would take the bride. It worked, the Danes went away. The Anglo-Saxons had used this tactic before, however it usually led to the Vikings returning for more (like a school bully who had taken somebody’s dinner money). William’s Leadership The lack of English Military Strength + Lack of Coordination The Lack of a Recognised English Leader Castles Hereward the Wake 1070 How did William deal with this? William went straight for the Isle of Ely, taking with him an army. The rebels didn’t run away and use guerrilla tactics as they had in the north, they stayed and fought, probably feeling relatively safe in their island fortress. However, William had trees cut down and thrown in the marshland surrounding the isle so that he could send his army across to attack. The first such bridge collapsed with some men drowning but the second was successful, the Normans defeated the rebels. Morcar was thrown into Norman prison for life and nobody is quite sure what happened to Hereward. The other rebels who were caught were given varying punishments; some had their eyes poked out, others had their hands and/or feet cut off. William’s Leadership The Lack of a Recognised English Leader The lack of English Military Strength + Lack of Coordination Castles