Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87 - 2…
Full specification wording
Option B1: Key topic 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87 - 2 Anglo-Saxon resistance, 1068–71: Causes and outcomes of Anglo-Saxon resistance: the revolt of Earls Edwin and Morcar (1068); Edgar the Aethling and the rebellions in the North (1069); Hereward the Wake and rebellion at Ely (1070–71).
Anglo-Saxon resistance stemmed from loss of land and Norman abuses.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Anglo-Saxon resistance stemmed from loss of land and Norman abuses. In 1068, Earls Edwin and Morcar revolted due to broken promises and lost power, but surrendered quickly when William marched north building castles. In 1069, Edgar the Aethling, backed by Scottish and Danish forces, led severe rebellions in the North, destroying the Norman garrison at York. William responded ruthlessly, paying off the Danes and devastating the region. In 1070–71, Hereward the Wake waged a guerrilla war from the Isle of Ely, allied with the Danes. William besieged Ely, capturing Morcar and forcing Hereward to flee. The outcome of these revolts was the systematic destruction of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and total Norman domination.
What earns the marks
- Explain the causes of the 1068 revolt by Edwin and Morcar, including William's broken promises and their loss of influence.
- Describe the events of the 1069 northern rebellions involving Edgar the Aethling, highlighting the role of Danish and Scottish support.
- Detail the guerrilla tactics used by Hereward the Wake at Ely (1070–71) and William's successful siege to end the resistance.
- Analyse the overall outcomes of these rebellions, specifically the replacement of English lords with Normans and the strengthening of royal control.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating all rebellions as a single coordinated event.
Put it right: The rebellions were distinct, occurring in different years (1068, 1069, 1070-71) with different leaders and specific local grievances.
Overstating the success of the rebellions.
Put it right: While they caused significant disruption, particularly in York, William successfully suppressed all of them.
Forgetting the role of foreign intervention.
Put it right: Both the 1069 northern rebellions and the rebellion at Ely involved crucial support from Danish fleets.
Exam tips
- Create a timeline of the three main rebellions to keep the dates, leaders, and specific outcomes distinct in your memory.
- Emphasise William's use of castle building and rapid troop movements as his primary methods for defeating these uprisings.
- Link the failure of these rebellions directly to the subsequent Harrying of the North and the decline of the Anglo-Saxon earldoms.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option B1: Key topic 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87 - 2 Anglo-Saxon resistance, 1068–71: Causes and outcomes of Anglo-Saxon resistance: the revolt of Earls Edwin and Morcar (1068); Edgar the Aethling and the rebellions in the North (1069); Hereward the Wake and rebellion at Ely (1070–71). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Who allied with Edgar the Aethling during the rebellions in the North in 1069?
Listen
Anglo-Saxon resistance stemmed from loss of land and Norman abuses. In 1068, Earls Edwin and Morcar revolted due to broken promises and lost power, but surrendered quickly when William marched north building castles. In 1069, Edgar the Aethling, backed by Scottish and Danish forces, led severe rebellions in the North, destroying the Norman garrison at York. William responded ruthlessly, paying off the Danes and devastating the region. In 1070–71, Hereward the Wake waged a guerrilla war from the Isle of Ely, allied with the Danes. William besieged Ely, capturing Morcar and forcing Hereward to flee. The outcome of these revolts was the systematic destruction of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and total Norman domination. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the causes of the 1068 revolt by Edwin and Morcar, including William's broken promises and their loss of influence. Describe the events of the 1069 northern rebellions involving Edgar the Aethling, highlighting the role of Danish and Scottish support. Detail the guerrilla tactics used by Hereward the Wake at Ely (1070–71) and William's successful siege to end the resistance. Analyse the overall outcomes of these rebellions, specifically the replacement of English lords with Normans and the strengthening of royal control. A common slip: Treating all rebellions as a single coordinated event. Instead, the rebellions were distinct, occurring in different years (1068, 1069, 1070-71) with different leaders and specific local grievances. Exam tip: Create a timeline of the three main rebellions to keep the dates, leaders, and specific outcomes distinct in your memory.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Earls Edwin and Morcar revolted over broken promises and lost power
- 2. Hereward the Wake waged guerrilla war from the Isle of Ely
- 3. Edgar the Aethling led northern rebellions with Danish and Scottish support
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Rebellion and resistance
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Royal response and military suppression
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The decline of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy
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See every definition
- Rebellion and resistance
- Anglo-Saxon uprisings against William, including the revolt of Earls Edwin and Morcar, the northern rebellions and Hereward the Wake's rebellion at Ely.
- Royal response and military suppression
- William's methods of defeating the uprisings, including marching north building castles, paying off the Danes, devastating the region and besieging Ely.
- The decline of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy
- The systematic destruction of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy and total Norman domination that resulted from the revolts.
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Test your understanding of Option B1: Key topic 2: William I in power: securing the kingdom, 1066–87 - 2 Anglo-Saxon resistance, 1068–71: Causes and outcomes of Anglo-Saxon resistance: the revolt of Earls Edwin and Morcar (1068); Edgar the Aethling and the rebellions in the North (1069); Hereward the Wake and rebellion at Ely (1070–71).
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