BattlefieldsHarrying of the North — Northumberland
Medieval

Harrying of the North — Northumberland

1069–1070
Northumberland, England
Also known as: William's devastation of Northumberland 1069-1070
Era
Medieval
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
English population of Northumberland
Forces
Northumberland population (unorganized resistance).
VS
Victor
William I
Forces
Norman forces c.5,000–8,000
Outcome
Norman forces burned and killed across Northumberland; Scots retreated north; population decimated
The Battle

History & Significance

William's systematic devastation of northern England in 1069-70 was so thorough that Domesday Book records vast areas as 'waste' sixteen years later. Northumberland suffered perhaps less than Yorkshire as Scots intervention complicated the Norman advance, but the county was devastated nonetheless

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Frequently Asked Questions

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