Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87 - 1…
Full specification wording
Option B1: Key topic 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87 - 1 Establishing control: The submission of the earls, 1066.
Following his victory at Hastings, William did not immediately march on London but instead secured the south coast, capturing Dover and Canterbury to protect his supply lines.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Following his victory at Hastings, William did not immediately march on London but instead secured the south coast, capturing Dover and Canterbury to protect his supply lines. Meanwhile, the surviving English leadership in London, including Earls Edwin and Morcar, Archbishop Stigand, and Edgar Aethling, initially planned to resist and proclaimed Edgar as king. To force their surrender, William enacted a brutal campaign of intimidation, destroying property and crops as he marched in a wide arc around London, cutting off the city's supply routes. Realising resistance was futile due to William's military dominance and their own lack of unified leadership, the English leaders met William at Berkhamsted. Here, they submitted to him, offered hostages, and swore oaths of fealty, paving the way for William's coronation.
What earns the marks
- Explain William's strategic route after Hastings, securing ports like Dover to ensure reinforcements and supply lines.
- Describe the initial English resistance in London, including the elevation of Edgar Aethling as the new king by the Witan.
- Detail William's use of intimidation and destruction of the surrounding countryside to isolate and pressure London.
- Identify the meeting at Berkhamsted where Edgar Aethling, Edwin, Morcar, and leading churchmen formally submitted to William.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming William became king immediately after Hastings.
Put it right: William had to force the submission of the surviving English leaders at Berkhamsted before he could be crowned.
Stating the English earls surrendered without any plan to resist.
Put it right: The earls initially supported Edgar Aethling as king and prepared to defend London before William's intimidation tactics forced their surrender.
Confusing the submission of the earls with later rebellions.
Put it right: The submission at Berkhamsted occurred in late 1066, prior to William's coronation, whereas the major rebellions by the earls happened in 1068-1071.
Exam tips
- Highlight the role of the Church; the submission of Archbishop Stigand and Ealdred was crucial in breaking English morale.
- Use the concept of 'intimidation' to explain why the earls submitted without fighting another pitched battle.
- Connect the submission at Berkhamsted directly to William's successful coronation on Christmas Day 1066.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B1: Key topic 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87 - 1 Establishing control: The submission of the earls, 1066. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Where did the remaining English leaders, including Edgar Aethling, submit to William in late 1066?
Listen
Following his victory at Hastings, William did not immediately march on London but instead secured the south coast, capturing Dover and Canterbury to protect his supply lines. Meanwhile, the surviving English leadership in London, including Earls Edwin and Morcar, Archbishop Stigand, and Edgar Aethling, initially planned to resist and proclaimed Edgar as king. To force their surrender, William enacted a brutal campaign of intimidation, destroying property and crops as he marched in a wide arc around London, cutting off the city's supply routes. Realising resistance was futile due to William's military dominance and their own lack of unified leadership, the English leaders met William at Berkhamsted. Here, they submitted to him, offered hostages, and swore oaths of fealty, paving the way for William's coronation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain William's strategic route after Hastings, securing ports like Dover to ensure reinforcements and supply lines. Describe the initial English resistance in London, including the elevation of Edgar Aethling as the new king by the Witan. Detail William's use of intimidation and destruction of the surrounding countryside to isolate and pressure London. Identify the meeting at Berkhamsted where Edgar Aethling, Edwin, Morcar, and leading churchmen formally submitted to William. A common slip: Assuming William became king immediately after Hastings. Instead, William had to force the submission of the surviving English leaders at Berkhamsted before he could be crowned. Exam tip: Highlight the role of the Church; the submission of Archbishop Stigand and Ealdred was crucial in breaking English morale.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Intimidation
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Submission and fealty
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Strategic warfare
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Establishing control
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See every definition
- Intimidation
- A brutal campaign in which property and crops were destroyed while marching in a wide arc around London to cut off the city's supply routes.
- Submission and fealty
- At Berkhamsted the English leaders submitted to William, offered hostages and swore oaths of fealty, paving the way for his coronation.
- Strategic warfare
- Securing the south coast and capturing Dover and Canterbury to protect supply lines rather than marching immediately on London.
- Establishing control
- Forcing the surrender of the surviving English leadership so that William could be crowned.
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