Harrying of the North

• What was the problem with the North?

  • It considered it self semi-independent from the rest of the country
  • They had a Danish-Viking Descent, meaning they're more fond of the country's origin
• How did the Harrying come about?

  • Edwin and Morcar, and Edgar the Aetheling fled North to King Malcom III of Scotland, who they became very close to
  • Norman Earl Robert of Commines was murdered by Rebels
• What happened at the peak of the Harrying?

  • Bishop Burham's house got burnt down, and Edgar attacked York
  • King Swegn of Denmark also attacked York, alongside Edgar and Waltheof
• How did King William sort out the situation?

  They paid the Vikings and rebels to:

  • Avoid Vikings using York as a future base
  • Avoid marching up North
  • Seek revenge
• What did William do after paying the Vikings to leave?

  William burnt fields and salted them to stop anything growing on them - turning them into "Haste"
• How much land was unhabitable in York?

  Domesday Book says 60% of Land was unhabitable in 1086
• What were the short-term consequences of the Harrying?

  • Led to starvation- 1000s killed
  • Victims reportedly resulted to cannibalism due to land being salted
  • Refugees fled South and West
• What were the long-term consequences of the Harrying?

  • There were no more rebellions from the Saxons
  • Danish invaders didn't use York as a base
  • Saxon aristocracy was replaced with Norman Lords
  • William felt the need to repent after his Harrying