The great William Rufus or William ll of England, famous for his ruddy complexion and flame red hair. Although I've heard it said he was something of a wastrel, a passion for drinking and hunting and generally squabbling with his brothers and even the fact he was openly gay, a practitioner of Sodomy, not sure of the term in Norman speak? Henry and Robert. Not to mention those Barons and Earls and even the church and living in the shadow of his father, the Conqueror! He did however have some success in winning control of Normandy, from brother Robert and having the Scots pay homage to him after various disagreements.
In 1032 most of Cumbria was under the rule of the Scottish King Malcolm ll ceded by treaty with King Canute, but South Lakeland or Wesmorland, was a no man's land a baronial wild west, fought and counter fought over by a number of disgruntled tribes and clans. Kirkby Lonsdale was controlled by a Viking and Kendal by a Celt, Kentdale being surrounded by Scots, Vikings, Celts and the expectant arrival of the Normans, bent upon shaking things up.
As much as twenty years after Hastings, Norman Rule fell short of Westmorland and it wasn't until 1092 AD When William Rufus and his armies marched North to finally bring Cumberland and Westmorland into England and under Norman Rule.
No comments:
Post a Comment