William's Rewards to His Followers

Did William I reward his followers?

William I rewarded his supporters generously.

Why did William reward his followers?

William needed to reward his army, as they had travelled to England to fight for him, and had won him a great victory. He also needed their continued support to prevent trouble from the Anglo-Saxons.

How did William gain the land and money for rewards after 1066?

William gained the land and money to reward his supporters in various ways.

• ❖ He confiscated the royal treasury at Winchester.
• ❖ He set a heavy tax to raise funds from the Anglo-Saxons.
• ❖ He declared that all of the land in England belonged to him. He also took land off anyone who had fought against him at Hastings.

How did William I reward his Norman supporters?

William had persuaded Normans and mercenaries to join his army with the promise of wealth if they won.

• ❖ He kept about a fifth of the Godwinsons' and Edward's lands for himself, but granted the rest of it to his followers.
• ❖ His half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, received all of Kent.
• ❖ William FitzOsbern, William's relative and advisor, was granted large areas of Hampshire and the west, along with the Isle of Wight.
• ❖ Roger de Montgomery, who ruled Normandy while William was away, was made Earl of Shrewsbury. He also received land in Essex and Sussex.

How did William reward his Anglo-Saxon supporters?

The Anglo-Saxons who swore loyalty to William hoped for a share in the Godwin family's lands, but that went to William's supporters.

• ❖ Earls such as Edwin and Morcar were allowed to keep their earldoms.
• ❖ Bishops such as Ealdred kept their positions.
• ❖ The Northumbrian Gospatric was made earl of northern Northumbria after paying a heavy tax to William.
• ❖ William also gained support by promising marriage alliances. For example, he promised that Edwin could marry his daughter.