Revolt of the Earls, 1075

• Revolt of the Earls, 1075

  A revolt by Norman earls against William, with some Anglo-Saxons defending William
• The Conspirators


  • Ralph de Gael - Earl of East Anglia
  • Roger de Breteuil - Earl of Hereford
  • Waltheof - Earl of Northumbria
• The Revolt of 1075

  • It involved Normans rebelling against William, and Anglo-Saxons defending their Norman King
  • It was different to previous revolts
• The events of the Revolt

  1. Ralph married Roger's sister Emma

  2. They recruited Waltheof at a wedding feast

  3. William was in Normandy, Lanfranc in charge of England

  4. Rebels did not get widespread Anglo-Saxon support

  5. Danish fleet arrived too late

  6. Waltheof sold out the rebels to Lanfranc

  7. Lanfranc excommunicated Roger

  8. Neighbouring earls stopped the rebels leaving

  9. Danes raided York then returned home
• The defeat of the Revolt

  1. Ralph escaped to Brittany

  2. Waltheof was tricked and executed

  3. Roger was imprisoned for life

  4. William unsuccessfully attacked Ralph's castle in Brittany
• Effects of the Revolt

  • William had to be careful of ambition and resentment of his earls
  • Anglo-Saxons helped William against the rebel earls, showing some supported the Normans
  • William did not reverse his policy of eliminating the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy
  • The failed Danish invasion was the last attempt by the Vikings