Harrying of the North (1069-1070)
Who Fought
William the Conqueror's Norman forces on one side; Northumbrian rebels, Anglo-Scandinavian and Danish forces (including a fleet under King Sweyn II of Denmark) on the other.
History & Significance
1069 (MLXIX) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar, the 1069th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 69th year of the 2nd millennium and the 11th century, and the 10th and last year of the 1060s decade. As of the start of 1069, the Gregorian calendar was 6 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which was the dominant calendar of the time.
Spring – Emperor Romanos IV begins a campaign against the Seljuk Turks, and marches towards the Euphrates via Melitene. He crosses the river at Romanopolis (modern Turkey), and captures the strategic fortress city of Chliat on the north-western shore of Lake Van. Romanos leaves a Byzantine rear guard on the upper Euphrates under General Philaretos Brachamios with orders to defend the Mesopotamian frontier.
Seljuk forces under Alp Arslan defeat the Byzantine rear guard and advance deep into Cappadocia and Lycaonia. They plunder at will, but fail to capture the city of Iconium. Romanos retreats and returns to Constantinople. Alp Arslan takes advantage of Romanos' retreat and captures Manzikert. He recaptures the strategical fortress cities of Chliat and Van, consolidating his control over the Lake Van region.
Spring – Romanos IV sends a Byzantine fleet (supported with an army) to relieve the siege of Bari. The Normans under Robert Guiscard defeat the Byzantines, and occupy the cities of Gravina and Obbiano in Apulia.
February 28 – King Abbad II al-Mu'tadid dies after a 27-year reign. He is succeeded by his son Al-Mu'tamid ibn Abbad, who becomes the ruler of the Taifa of Seville in Al-Andalus (until 1091).
January 28 – Northumbrians kill the new Norman earl of Northumbria, Robert de Comines, at Durham, and attack York.
King Sweyn II of Denmark lands a fleet in the Humber in support of the Northumbrian rebels and they join him to burn York, attacking its two castles and destroying the old Minster.
At Stafford, William the Conqueror swiftly defeats a rebellion led by Edwin, Earl of Mercia.
Winter of 1069–1070 – Harrying of the North: King William the Conqueror quells rebellions made by his English subjects against his rule, campaigning through the north of England with his forces, burning houses, crops, cattle and land from York to Durham, resulting in the deaths of over 100,000 people, mainly from starvation and winter cold.
Emperor Shenzong of Song China appoints Wang Anshi as his chief chancellor. He implements the New Policies, which include financial and trade reforms, defense and order, institution of the baojia system, etc.
Nam tiến, the southward expansion of the territory of Đại Việt (modern Vietnam), begins when a Lý dynasty army attacks Champa, capturing King Rudravarman III.
The ground they fought on
The site of Harrying of the North (1069-1070) lies on Millstone Grit Group [See Also Migr], bedrock that formed in the Namurian. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.
Contemporary chronicles vividly recorded the savagery of the Harrying of the North, describing how William the Conqueror's forces burned houses, crops, cattle and land from York to Durham, causing a widespread famine that, combined with the bitter winter cold, resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 people. Records from the Domesday Book of 1086 suggest that as much as 75 per cent of the population of the affected northern shires could have died or never returned, leading some present-day scholars to label the campaigns a genocide.
- Over 100,000 deaths recorded, mainly from starvation and winter cold; Domesday Book evidence suggests up to 75 per cent of the northern population may have died or never returned.
Frequently Asked Questions
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