Battlefields›Norman Storming of York (1069 AD — First)
Medieval

Norman Storming of York (1069 AD — First)

1069
West Riding, England
Also known as: York revolt 1069 · William captures York
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Siege
Location
West Riding, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Northumbrian rebels; then Norman garrison
Forces
Northumbrian rebels c.2,000–4,000 plus Danish support.
VS
Victor
William I (initially); then Northumbrian rebels
Forces
Norman garrison c.1,000–2,000
Outcome
Norman garrison massacred; William retook city and began Harrying of the North
The Battle

History & Significance

Yorkshire rose in revolt against William I in 1069, supported by a Danish fleet under Sweyn II. The Northumbrian rebels and Danes captured York, killing the Norman garrison of 3,000 men. William's response was the Harrying of the North — a systematic campaign of devastation across Yorkshire that left the county a wasteland. The Domesday Book records vast areas of Yorkshire as 'waste' twenty years later. The Harrying was one of the most destructive acts of the medieval period.

Casualties & Losses

3,000 Norman garrison killed; countless Yorkshire civilians in the Harrying

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Norman Storming of York (1069 AD — First)

Merchant's Hall, Fossgate
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
South angle tower of Roman fortress
Scheduled monument · ~0.1 miles
Medieval stone town house known as The Norman House to the rear of Nos 48 and 50 Stonegate
Scheduled monument · ~0.2 miles
St George's medieval chapel 120m south of York Castle
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
York Castle: motte and bailey castle, tower keep castle (including Clifford's Tower), and site of part of Romano-British fort-vicus and Anglian cemetery
Scheduled monument · ~0.3 miles
More from this era

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Norman march through Hampshire
1066
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Burning of Southwark
1066
Surrey, England
Norman Storming of Romney — Reprisal 1066
1066
Kent, England
Submission of Canterbury to William I 1066
1066
Kent, England
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