BattlefieldsWilliam the Conqueror Harries North 1070
Early Medieval

William the Conqueror Harries North 1070

1070
North Yorkshire, England
Also known as: Norman harrying of north 1069-70 · William I pacifies Northumbria
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
North Yorkshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Northern English and Scottish-backed rebels
Forces
rebels & allies c.2,000–5,000
VS
Victor
William I of England
Forces
William I c.5,000–10,000
Outcome
Northern England devastated; Scottish-backed resistance broken; Malcolm III forced to terms
The Battle

History & Significance

William the Conqueror's devastating Harrying of the North in 1069-70 had direct implications for Scotland. Malcolm III had been sheltering English rebels and Edgar Atheling at his court. After William's punitive campaign annihilated northern English resistance, Malcolm was forced to negotiate. The Treaty of Abernethy in 1072 followed, in which Malcolm did homage to William and expelled Edgar Atheling. The campaign shaped the entire subsequent relationship between England and Scotland.

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