Anglo-Saxon Resistance to Norman Rule

This section explores the Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. After his victory at the Battle of Hastings and the consolidation of his power in England, King William I returned to Normandy in 1067, just six months after his decisive victory. He left his trusted supporters, Bishop Odo and William FitzOsbern, to rule England in his absence. However, their harsh methods and oppressive rule sparked widespread resentment among the Anglo-Saxon population, leading to multiple rebellions and uprisings against Norman authority. The Anglo-Saxon resistance was driven by a combination of factors, including the brutal imposition of Norman rule, the loss of land and power, and the desire to restore the Anglo-Saxon monarchy.

Key Figures and the Causes of Rebellion

Several prominent figures led the resistance to Norman rule, each with their own reasons for opposing William’s rule. The resistance was not a single unified movement but consisted of various regional rebellions, often involving different Anglo-Saxon earls, thegns (local nobles), and even alliances with the Welsh.

1067 - Eadric ‘The Wild’ and the Beginning of Armed Resistance

In 1067, the first notable rebellion against Norman rule was led by Eadric ‘The Wild’, an Anglo-Saxon thegn in Shropshire. The Marcher lands, a border region between England and Wales, became a flashpoint for discontent. Following William's conquest, many Norman earls took advantage of the political instability to extend their landholdings in this region. This angered the Anglo-Saxon thegns who had previously controlled the land, and resentment quickly built up. Eadric, a prominent leader in the area, sought to resist the encroachment of Norman control.

In alliance with the Welsh princes Bleddyn and Rhiwallon, Eadric led a series of raids across Herefordshire, ransacking the town of Hereford before retreating back into Wales. The resistance in the Marcher lands was a significant challenge for the Normans, and it highlighted the discontent of local Anglo-Saxon leaders who were losing their lands to the new Norman overlords. While the rebellion did not result in a full-scale war, it was a strong statement of defiance against Norman rule and set the stage for further uprisings in the following years.

1068 - Rebellion in the North

In the years following William’s conquest, several Anglo-Saxon earls attempted to challenge Norman rule in the north of England. Between 1066 and 1071, five different earls ruled Northumbria, but the region was a hotbed of rebellion and unrest. The first earl, Morcar, was replaced shortly after the conquest, and the two earls who succeeded him were murdered, highlighting the instability in the region.

Cospatrick, an Anglo-Saxon earl, briefly paid William to become earl of Northumbria but quickly became disillusioned with Norman rule and joined the growing resistance. The northern rebellion was led by a coalition of figures, including Edwin of Mercia, Morcar, and Edgar Atheling, the young Anglo-Saxon prince who had initially been crowned after the death of Harold II. The rebellion gained momentum when William attempted to install Robert de Commines, a Norman, as the new earl of Northumbria. The local population rejected this move, and Robert and his 900-man army were massacred in Durham. This event further fuelled anti-Norman sentiment in the north.

Following Robert’s death, Edgar Atheling became the figurehead of the rebellion, symbolising the desire of many Anglo-Saxons to restore their own monarchy and rid themselves of Norman rule. Despite initial successes, the rebellion in the north was ultimately crushed by William’s forces, but it remained a significant challenge to Norman authority in the early years of the conquest.

1070-1071 - Resistance in the East

The rebellion against Norman rule did not fade in the years following the conquest. In 1070, a significant threat to William’s rule came from an unexpected source: the Danish King Sweyn. Sweyn had long harboured ambitions of conquering England, and in 1070, he sent a fleet to the eastern shores of the kingdom. Although the Danish army was not large enough to mount a serious threat, it was sufficient to add pressure to William’s already fragile rule in the north and east.

In East Anglia, some Danish forces supported a rebellion led by Hereward the Wake, an Anglo-Saxon thegn from Lincolnshire. Hereward’s story is shrouded in mystery, but he is believed to have been a charismatic leader who initially fought against the Norman barons who had been granted land in his region. He led a guerrilla campaign, harassing Norman forces and attacking their supply lines. His stronghold on the Isle of Ely became a symbol of resistance to the Normans.

The rebellion in the east was a thorn in William’s side, but the Norman king responded decisively. He used both military force and diplomacy, eventually capturing Hereward’s base on the Isle of Ely. Hereward was pardoned by William, though some sources suggest he may have later joined the Normans or retreated into obscurity. However, one of the key leaders of the rebellion, Morcar, was captured and imprisoned for life, signalling the end of organised resistance in East Anglia.

The Aftermath of Resistance

Although the uprisings and rebellions against William’s rule did not lead to the collapse of Norman control, they did show the deep resentment felt by many Anglo-Saxons towards their new rulers. The rebellions also highlighted the divisions within English society, with local Anglo-Saxon leaders, including thegns and earls, often finding themselves at odds with the Norman barons who were granted land and power. William’s ruthless repression of these uprisings, including the destruction of towns and villages, helped to cement his rule but also created a legacy of bitterness and division.

William's authority was further strengthened by his ability to maintain control through a combination of military force and strategic governance. His establishment of the feudal system ensured that those who held land owed loyalty to the king, and the introduction of the Domesday Book in 1086 helped William to consolidate his rule by ensuring that he knew exactly what resources were available in each region.

However, the resistance did not entirely fade. The fear of rebellion continued to linger throughout William’s reign, and later generations of Anglo-Saxons would continue to resist Norman domination in various ways. The legacy of these uprisings was a deep cultural divide between the Normans and the Anglo-Saxons, which would shape English society for centuries.

The Anglo-Saxon resistance to Norman rule was a complex and multifaceted challenge to William's authority. Led by figures like Eadric ‘The Wild’, Edgar Atheling, and Hereward the Wake, the resistance reflected the desire of the Anglo-Saxon nobility and common folk to reclaim their land, their power, and their way of life. While the rebellions were ultimately suppressed, they demonstrated the strength of Anglo-Saxon opposition to Norman rule and set the stage for ongoing tensions between the two groups throughout the medieval period.