Part 5
Coenred would not have long to introduce his Norman vision to England. After only four years of rule he would mysteriously die on April 26, 1088 at the age of 36. He would be buried at Canterbury near the seat of his court in Kent. The Witan, lead by the Saxon nobility and wary of the increasing Norman influence elected the most powerful Saxon in England, Aldred of Northumbria. Aldred would be crowned on May 24, 1088 at Canterbury Cathedral. He would waste no time seeking revenge for the earlier defeat against Scotland. This time Aldred would mobilize his and the earls’ forces, unlike Godwin who attempted to use just his forces. By this time Malcolm, King of Scotland was dead and his son Duncan was king. This made no difference to Aldred or Edgar the Clamant who also held Duncan under his sway.
Aldred, King of England
Duncan, King of Scotland
Aldred quickly mobilized his regiments from Northumbria and the southern Earls to invade Berwick. Where Godwin failed, Aldred would succeed. Aldred would take Berwick in September, 1088. William, Duke of Wessex would take Lothian and Fife by January, 1089 while Cadoc, Duke of Cornwall would take Strathclyde the same month. Aldred gained Berwick and Duncan agreed to abandon his claims to Northumbria with the peace treaty signed on March 9, 1089 at York. Aldred had won against Scotland and gained lands to the north. He would not have time to enjoy his victory for long as he would die on September 12, 1089, he would rule less than a year and a half. Coenred’s son Willaim, Duke of Wessex would be crowned on October 25, 1089 at Westminster Abbey. Aldred would be buried at York having never known his full potential.
William would begin his reign at the age of 19. Regardless of his age he was already an accomplished statesman having been Earl of Wessex for 5 years. William gave Northumbria to the church under the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The pope attempted to exert his influence and appoint a bishop for Northumbria. William and the church in England would not recognize the pope’s appointment and the Italian bishop sent to England would be sent away. In response to this embarrassment the pope would bring the Inquisition to the new court at Wessex to investigate William’s court. The men from Rome where not well received by William and where forcefully expelled from England. The papal party first attempted to stay in Normandy but there too they were not allowed to stay. Coenred’s old friend Robert, Duke of Normandy would not allow it. The Inquisitors would end up in Ireland and watch England with great scrutiny. Charges where soon drawn up against Elfweard Godwineson, another brilliant Saxon general and William’s marshal, the charge would be witchcraft. Willaim would ignore this charge as would the most of the Witan. The pope would excommunicate William and Elfweard; Europe now had an excuse to invade England, just as William of Normandy had.
Willaim, King of England
Just as William would celebrate the death of his family’s old enemy, Edgar the Clamant who was wounded at Berwick a few years earlier Estmond, Earl of Lincoln would revolt seeking to remove the heretic Willaim. With the support of Rome and Scottish mercenaries the men from Lincolnshire would march toward London to take the throne by open revolt. While most of the nobles supported William, England was in danger of political collapse.
Estmond, Earl of Lincoln
England, 1091
