"The Harrying of the North" Topic

"Victory at the Battle of Hastings did not guarantee William control of England. The rebellious North had to be brought into line, which it was, ruthlessly, in the winter of 1069

The Battle of Hastings is the most famous event of the Norman Conquest, but it was only the opening engagement in the invaders' consolidation of power in England. For several years afterwards, the country was riven by internal conflict as the Normans fought to extend their rule, climaxing in a notorious campaign known today as the ‘Harrying of the North'.

The Harrying, which took place over the winter of 1069–70, saw William's knights lay waste to Yorkshire and neighbouring shires. Entire villages were razed and their inhabitants killed, livestock slaughtered and stores of food destroyed. This scorched-earth operation is one of the defining episodes of the Conquest, not just from a military-political perspective but also in terms of how it has shaped modern perceptions of the Normans as a tyrannical and merciless warrior class. But why were such brutal measures considered necessary and why was the north in particular targeted?…"
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One view is that William was betrayed by nearly every Saxon that had sworn to him. He forgave nobles again and again only to have them foment rebellion against him.

PrivateSnafu, I have never heard that view before and am quite astounded to hear it mentioned.

Even the Sons of Harold were defeated by Eadnoth the Staller (badly wounded at Hastings fighting for Harold, and then died 2-years later fighting Harold's sons).

Much of the south remained quiescent due to the enormous loss of their natural leaders at Hastings.

The North was always a turbulent region, with their blood-feuds and independence and they certainly didn't take kindly to the Norman encroachments. FitzOsbern was encroaching upon Earl Edwin's lands which would have given him reason to oppose the Normans. Perhaps the North saw it as their chance to breakaway from southern influence?

William generally pursued a policy of replacing local Saxon officials & clergy with Normans, which would naturally upset the local populace.

Interesting that during the revolt of the earls, only the Saxon Waltheof was executed (after William had apparently forgiven him), the Norman Roger & Breton Ralph the main instigators of the plot survived.