BattlefieldsSiege of Ely (1071)
Early Medieval

Siege of Ely (1071)

1070–1071
Cambridgeshire, England
Also known as: Hereward's Last Stand · Norman Siege of Ely
Era
Early Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Cambridgeshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English rebels (Hereward the Wake)
Forces
Ely garrison c.1,000–2,000
VS
Victor
Normans (William I)
Forces
Normans c.3,000–5,000
Outcome
English resistance on the Isle of Ely suppressed; Hereward escaped
The Battle

History & Significance

The Isle of Ely, surrounded by fenland, became the last organised English resistance to the Norman Conquest under Hereward the Wake and the Danish ally Morcar. William built a causeway across the fens. The monks allegedly betrayed a route through to the Normans. Most defenders were captured; Hereward escaped into legend. The fall of Ely effectively ended organised Anglo-Saxon military resistance to the Conquest.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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