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It’s perhaps not surprising that William’s avowed intent to be a good lord to his new Saxon subjects eroded. In fact all kinds of rebellions against Norman rule sprang up like forest fires in the first years of William’s reign. Understandably Edwin’s brother Morcar was a little disgruntled by this turn of events. The earls submitted once again to William and he graciously welcomed them back into the fold but then in 1069 William appointed Robert de Comines to the job of Earl of Northumberland. The 1068 rebellion saw William building castles and stamping his authority on the land. The Orderic Vitalis claims that one of Edwin’s gripes was that William had promised Edwin one of his own daughter’s in marriage but appears to have had second thoughts about having Edwin for a son-in-law. Obviously things didn’t pan out to Edwin and Morcar’s liking because they rebelled against William in 1068 and again in 1071. In 1067 Edwin was one of the hostages who accompanied William back to Normandy. William had to chase them around the southeast for two months before they finally submitted at Berkhamstead. Following Hastings, Edwin and Morcar supported Edgar the Atheling in his claim to the throne. Having said that, it is an indicator of William the Conqueror’s desire for peace within his new kingdom that Edwin not only retained his land but also his title. On one hand they did have to march rather a long way having just fought two battles in a very short space of time but on the other hand rather than share the loot after Stamford Bridge as was the custom of the time King Harold had it all collected together in York and appeared to have every intention of keeping it for himself which may have left the two earls feeling somewhat peeved.Įvidence of Edwin’s failure to take part in the Battle of Hastings is reflected in the fact that he still owned property at the time of the Domesday Book. Florence of Worcester commented that they ‘withdrew’. Sadly for King Harold (of arrow in the eye fame) the two brothers also played a key role in the Battle of Hastings by taking a very slow journey south and not turning up until it was all over.
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They opposed him at the Battle of Fulford Gate on the 20 th September (which they lost) and the Battle of Stamford Bridge five days later that gave King Harold (their brother-in-law) victory over King Harold Hardrada of Norway. He and his younger brother Morcar who was the Earl of Northumbria played a key role in Harold Hardrada’s failed campaign to take England in 1066. Edwin became Earl of Mercia in 1062 after his father and grandfather.