Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106 - 2 The…
Full specification wording
Paper 2, Option 2A.1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106 - 2 The Norman conquest of England and extension of control in Wales and Scotland, 1066–93: Dealing with opposition to the Normans: the submission of the earls 1066; rebellions in the south, 1067–69; the Harrying of the North; the East Anglian Rebellion; the revolt of the earls 1075. The role of foreign intervention.
After Hastings, William faced opposition met with conciliation and force.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
After Hastings, William faced opposition met with conciliation and force. In 1066, the surviving English leaders submitted at Berkhamsted, but resistance continued. Rebellions in the south (1067–69), including Exeter, were suppressed by sieges. The Harrying of the North (1069–70) was a brutal campaign of devastation that broke northern resistance. The East Anglian Rebellion of 1071, associated with Hereward, was defeated using local and Norman forces. In 1075, the revolt of the earls was crushed by loyalists. Foreign intervention repeatedly threatened Norman control; Danish fleets supported northern rebels and the 1075 revolt, though in 1075 they arrived too late to aid the rebels. Scottish intervention also sustained opposition.
What earns the marks
- Explains the significance of the submission of the earls in 1066 and why it did not prevent later rebellions.
- Analyses the nature and impact of rebellions in the south between 1067 and 1069, including the role of local resistance and William’s response.
- Assesses the Harrying of the North as a deliberate policy of devastation and its consequences for northern resistance and Norman control.
- Examines the East Anglian Rebellion and the revolt of the earls in 1075, including the motives of the rebels and the reasons for their failure.
- Evaluates the role of foreign intervention, particularly Danish and Scottish support, in encouraging or sustaining opposition to Norman rule.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the submission of the earls in 1066 as the end of English resistance.
Put it right: Explain that it was a temporary political settlement and that rebellions continued for years.
Describing the Harrying of the North as merely a punishment rather than a strategic campaign.
Put it right: Analyse it as a deliberate attempt to destroy the economic and military basis of northern resistance.
Assuming foreign intervention always aided the rebels effectively.
Put it right: Note that while Danish fleets supported the 1075 revolt of the earls, they arrived too late, leaving loyalists to crush the rebellion.
Exam tips
- Organise your answer around the named events and the role of foreign intervention, ensuring each is covered.
- Use specific dates and places, such as Exeter 1068 or the revolt of the earls 1075, to demonstrate precise knowledge.
- When discussing foreign intervention, distinguish between diplomatic support, such as papal backing for William, and military intervention, such as Danish fleets.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 2, Option 2A.1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106 - 2 The Norman conquest of England and extension of control in Wales and Scotland, 1066–93: Dealing with opposition to the Normans: the submission of the earls 1066; rebellions in the south, 1067–69; the Harrying of the North; the East Anglian Rebellion; the revolt of the earls 1075. The role of foreign intervention. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What happened at Berkhamsted late in 1066, shortly after the Battle of Hastings?
Listen
After Hastings, William faced opposition met with conciliation and force. In 1066, the surviving English leaders submitted at Berkhamsted, but resistance continued. Rebellions in the south (1067–69), including Exeter, were suppressed by sieges. The Harrying of the North (1069–70) was a brutal campaign of devastation that broke northern resistance. The East Anglian Rebellion of 1071, associated with Hereward, was defeated using local and Norman forces. In 1075, the revolt of the earls was crushed by loyalists. Foreign intervention repeatedly threatened Norman control; Danish fleets supported northern rebels and the 1075 revolt, though in 1075 they arrived too late to aid the rebels. Scottish intervention also sustained opposition. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the significance of the submission of the earls in 1066 and why it did not prevent later rebellions. Analyses the nature and impact of rebellions in the south between 1067 and 1069, including the role of local resistance and William’s response. Assesses the Harrying of the North as a deliberate policy of devastation and its consequences for northern resistance and Norman control. Examines the East Anglian Rebellion and the revolt of the earls in 1075, including the motives of the rebels and the reasons for their failure. A common slip: Treating the submission of the earls in 1066 as the end of English resistance. Instead, explain that it was a temporary political settlement and that rebellions continued for years. Exam tip: Organise your answer around the named events and the role of foreign intervention, ensuring each is covered.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Rebellions in the south against Norman rule
- 2. Submission of the earls to William
- 3. Revolt of the earls crushed by loyalists
- 4. Harrying of the North devastates northern resistance
- 5. East Anglian Rebellion associated with Hereward is defeated
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Resistance and rebellion
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Methods of control and suppression
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Foreign intervention and diplomacy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Consolidation of Norman rule
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Resistance and rebellion
- Opposition to the Normans that continued after the submission of the earls in 1066, including rebellions in the south, the East Anglian Rebellion and the revolt of the earls.
- Methods of control and suppression
- William's response to opposition through conciliation and force, including sieges, the Harrying of the North and the use of local and Norman forces.
- Foreign intervention and diplomacy
- Danish fleets supporting northern rebels and the 1075 revolt, and Scottish intervention sustaining opposition, alongside diplomatic support such as papal backing for William.
- Consolidation of Norman rule
- Establishing control by defeating opposition between 1066 and 1075, through the submission of the earls, suppression of rebellions and dealing with foreign intervention.
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Test your understanding of Paper 2, Option 2A.1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Anglo-Norman Kingdom, c1053–1106 - 2 The Norman conquest of England and extension of control in Wales and Scotland, 1066–93: Dealing with opposition to the Normans: the submission of the earls 1066; rebellions in the south, 1067–69; the Harrying of the North; the East Anglian Rebellion; the revolt of the earls 1075. The role of foreign intervention.
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