The Harrying of the North: William the Conqueror's Brutal Campaign

In the winter of 1069-70, William the Conqueror unleashed a campaign of systematic destruction across northern England that became known as the Harrying of the North. This episode explores William's response to rebellions in Northumbria, the scorched-earth tactics that devastated Yorkshire and beyond, and the human cost: famine, slaughter, and decades of desolation as recorded in the Domesday Book. We discuss the role of the Anglo-Danish rebel leaders Edgar the Aetheling and Waltheof, the alliance with the Danish fleet, and the brutal siege of York. We also examine the survival of the northern English church under Bishop Ethelwin of Durham and the long-term consequences for landholding and power. How did William's campaign reshape the North, and was it genocide or medieval warfare? Join Lucas and Luna for a deep dive into one of the most controversial events of the Norman Conquest. #HarryingOfTheNorth #WilliamTheConqueror #NormanConquest #Northumbria #Yorkshire #AngloSaxon #DomesdayBook #EdgarAetheling #Waltheof #BishopEthelwin #MedievalWarfare #ScorchedEarth #1069 #EnglishHistory #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast #Europe Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo