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.
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