William the Conqueror Took English Soldiers Across the Channel - And They Burned Towns for Him

In my last medieval post, we followed William the Conqueror’s invasion of Scotland in 1072, when King Malcolm III agreed to make peace and handed over hostages, including his son Duncan. William returned to England having dealt with another threat to his authority, but trouble was also developing across the Channel.

 

Before conquering England in 1066, William had been Duke of Normandy, and he had spent years trying to extend his power into neighbouring territories. One of these was Maine, a county to the south of Normandy. William had taken control of it in 1063, but while he was occupied with England, the people of Maine had rebelled against Norman rule.

 

The citizens of Le Mans, the county’s principal city, had established a commune through which they hoped to govern their own affairs. They had also sought support from Fulk IV, Count of Anjou, who had ambitions in the region. William could not afford to lose Maine, particularly when its position made it important to the security of Normandy.

 

In early 1073, William crossed the Channel with an army of Norman and English soldiers. Only seven years had passed since William defeated Harold at Hastings, yet Englishmen were now fighting in his army, helping him recover territory on the continent.

 

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that the English soldiers caused considerable destruction during the expedition. Vineyards were ruined, towns were burned, and land was laid waste as William’s army advanced. The people of Maine were now experiencing the destruction that William’s armies had inflicted on parts of England.

 

William forced the surrender of Fresnay and Beaumont, while the lord of Sillé submitted before a siege could begin. He then advanced towards Le Mans, where the inhabitants surrendered without a prolonged siege. William agreed to respect certain existing rights and customs of the city.

 

William had regained control of Maine by the spring of 1073. His eldest son Robert, later known as Robert Curthose, held a claim to the title of count, although Norman control of the county would continue to be challenged in the years ahead.

 

William had now spent seven years fighting to secure his position on both sides of the Channel. What I find particularly interesting is that English soldiers were helping the very man who had conquered their country. We do not know how every soldier felt about serving him, but their involvement shows just how much had changed since 1066.

 

And while William was occupied with events in Normandy and Maine, Edgar Ætheling, the English prince who had once been considered for the throne, had not disappeared from the story.

 

Does it surprise you that English soldiers were fighting for William just seven years after the Norman Conquest?

 

☕ Have a cuppa and let’s discover history together!

 

 

Image info:

The former Palace of the Counts of Maine, Le Mans. Drawing by Louis Moullin, 1854. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.