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Section A
Norman England 1087–1107
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘William II’s actions in dealing with threats from Scotland and Wales were effective’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: A Chronicle gives an account of events in the north.
While king William was out of England, king Malcolm of Scotland invaded England and overran a great
deal of the country, until the good men who governed it sent an army against him and repulsed him.
When king William in Normandy heard this, he came to England and his brother, earl Robert, was with
him. He issued orders to collect forces, both naval and military, but before the naval force could reach
Scotland it perished miserably. The king and his brother proceeded with the land force. When the king
came near to Malcolm with the army, earl Robert and Edgar Aethling interceded and so made peace
between the kings. King Malcolm came to our king and did homage and promised obedience.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1091
Source B: A monk at Durham reports on events in 1093.
The Scots chose the brother of king Malcolm as their king and expelled all the Englishmen at court from
Scotland. When this was known, Duncan, the son of king Malcolm, begged king William, in whose service
he was then fighting, that he would grant him his father’s kingdom. Having obtained this he swore fealty
to William and hastened to Scotland with a multitude of English and Normans and drove his uncle from
the kingdom and ruled in his stead. Then some of the Scots assembled together and cut off nearly all his
men and he and a few others escaped with difficulty. Nevertheless, after this the Scots permitted him to
reign.
Simeon of Durham, A History of the Kings of England, written before 1129
Source C: A monk gives his view about William’s achievements in Wales by the end of 1095.
William led an expedition against the Welsh in which he performed nothing worthy of his greatness. He
lost many of his soldiers and had his packhorses intercepted. Not only at that time, but frequently in
Wales, was fortune unfavourable towards him. This may seem strange as the chance of war was generally
on his side in other places. But it appears to me that the unevenness of the country and the badness of the
weather, as it assisted their rebellion, were also a hindrance to him in displaying his valour.
William of Malmesbury, Chronicle of the Kings of England, written before 1143
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25
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Source D: An archdeacon in the diocese of Lincoln describes events in Wales.
In 1095 the energetic king invaded Wales. This was the reason: in the previous year they had killed many
Frenchmen and stormed the strongholds of the nobles and invaded the borders with sword and fire. They
destroyed the castle of Montgomery and murdered the inhabitants. So the king crossed
the border into Wales, but, as he was unable to pursue them, he left, having accomplished little or nothing.
Henry of Huntingdon, The History of the English People, written before c.1157
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25 Turn over
Section A
Norman England 1087–1107
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘William II’s actions in dealing with threats from Scotland and Wales were effective’.
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: A Chronicle gives an account of events in the north.
While king William was out of England, king Malcolm of Scotland invaded England and overran a great
deal of the country, until the good men who governed it sent an army against him and repulsed him.
When king William in Normandy heard this, he came to England and his brother, earl Robert, was with
him. He issued orders to collect forces, both naval and military, but before the naval force could reach
Scotland it perished miserably. The king and his brother proceeded with the land force. When the king
came near to Malcolm with the army, earl Robert and Edgar Aethling interceded and so made peace
between the kings. King Malcolm came to our king and did homage and promised obedience.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1091
Source B: A monk at Durham reports on events in 1093.
The Scots chose the brother of king Malcolm as their king and expelled all the Englishmen at court from
Scotland. When this was known, Duncan, the son of king Malcolm, begged king William, in whose service
he was then fighting, that he would grant him his father’s kingdom. Having obtained this he swore fealty
to William and hastened to Scotland with a multitude of English and Normans and drove his uncle from
the kingdom and ruled in his stead. Then some of the Scots assembled together and cut off nearly all his
men and he and a few others escaped with difficulty. Nevertheless, after this the Scots permitted him to
reign.
Simeon of Durham, A History of the Kings of England, written before 1129
Source C: A monk gives his view about William’s achievements in Wales by the end of 1095.
William led an expedition against the Welsh in which he performed nothing worthy of his greatness. He
lost many of his soldiers and had his packhorses intercepted. Not only at that time, but frequently in
Wales, was fortune unfavourable towards him. This may seem strange as the chance of war was generally
on his side in other places. But it appears to me that the unevenness of the country and the badness of the
weather, as it assisted their rebellion, were also a hindrance to him in displaying his valour.
William of Malmesbury, Chronicle of the Kings of England, written before 1143
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25
, 3
Source D: An archdeacon in the diocese of Lincoln describes events in Wales.
In 1095 the energetic king invaded Wales. This was the reason: in the previous year they had killed many
Frenchmen and stormed the strongholds of the nobles and invaded the borders with sword and fire. They
destroyed the castle of Montgomery and murdered the inhabitants. So the king crossed
the border into Wales, but, as he was unable to pursue them, he left, having accomplished little or nothing.
Henry of Huntingdon, The History of the English People, written before c.1157
© OCR 2025 Y102/01 Jun25 Turn over
