William learned about the dangerous plan from Earl Waltheof. He was also involved, and may have told William to try and save himself. However, the rebellion didn't work as the Earls got their timing wrong.
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William took his forces to
Norwich, and besieged Earl
Ralph's castle. Ralph escaped to Denmark to ask for support
from Sweyn Estrithsson.
His wife Emma defended the castle for three months!
However, the Normans forced her to surrender before any Danish support could arrive. Ralph went to his Breton lordship to continue the fight. Earl Roger started his rebellion in the west, but he was stopped by powerful locals loyal to William. A huge Danish fleet arrived (some 200 ships) but it was too late. They sacked York Minster and went away. |
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William was clearly furious, and punished the Earls severely. Roger and Ralf lost all their land, and (some say brutally) Earl Waltheof was beheaded for treason. |
"In
its involvement of Norman,
Breton, English and Danish elements
the rebellion was potentially disastrous
for William's regime." |
This was the last serious act of resistance that William faced.
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