Northumbrian Rebellion

Timeline

1. 1068Northumbria · NorthumbriaAfter his coronation, William attempted to appease the great Anglo-Saxon nobles through marriage and grants of land, but Edwin and Morcar resented the Normans' seizure of their lands and secretly conspired with Edgar the Atheling and the remnants of Mercia. In 1068 they fled William's court, made contact with Danish exiles in the north, and formed an anti-Norman alliance.
2. 1068York · YorkshireThe rebels captured York, killed the Norman garrison William had stationed there, and Edgar was acclaimed king. The rebellion quickly spread to Durham, Lincoln, and elsewhere, showing that Norman control of northern England was extremely fragile. Upon hearing the news, William halted his planned expedition to Brittany and prepared to campaign in the north himself.
3. 1068York · YorkshireWilliam marched north with a large army; the rebels dispersed without daring to give battle, and Edgar and the nobles fled to Scotland seeking refuge. William built two castles of wood and stone at York (one of which later developed into York Castle) and appointed William Malet as earl to strengthen control. Although the 1068 rebellion was temporarily suppressed, hostility toward Norman rule remained strong among the northern populace.