Northumbrian Resistance to Norman Rule

Norman authority in Northumbria remained fragile after Hastings. In 1067 William the Conqueror appointed Copsi, a former supporter of Tostig Godwinson, as earl. Copsi’s rule lasted only weeks before Osulf of Bamburgh raised local support against him and had him killed. Osulf himself died later that year, and Gospatric subsequently secured recognition as earl.

The settlement did not last. Gospatric joined wider resistance to William, and by late 1068 the king had replaced him with Robert de Comines. Robert entered Durham with several hundred men in January 1069 despite warnings of hostility and was killed with much of his force when the town rose against him. Rebellion then spread towards York and merged with further English and Danish opposition.

These events form the immediate northern background to the harsher campaign usually known as the Harrying of the North. Paul Bernardi’s Rebellion trilogy uses Copsi, Osulf, Gospatric and Robert de Comines as historical anchors for Oslac’s fictional feud and his increasing involvement in resistance to Norman rule.