William’s Brutal Response
William decided to crush resistance completely.
During the winter of 1069–1070, he launched the Harrying of the North.
What Happened?
Norman soldiers:
- Burned villages
- Destroyed crops
- Killed livestock
- Attacked farms
- Left people homeless and starving
Large areas of northern England were devastated.
Why Did William Do This?
William wanted to:
- Punish rebels
- Prevent future uprisings
- Destroy food supplies
- Terrify people into obedience
It was an extremely harsh policy.
The Effects of the Harrying
Thousands of people may have died from:
- Starvation
- Cold
- Violence
Some villages were abandoned for years.
The Harrying of the North showed how ruthless William could be.