Morcar
was the son of Elfgar, the Earl of Mercia. In 1064 Tostig
was Earl of Northumbria. Tostig's rule became increasingly tyrannical.
In 1064 he had a meeting with two important thegns, Gamel and Ulf,
who wanted to complain about his heavy taxes. During the meeting Tostig
ordered their arrest and execution. Later that year he arranged the
murder of a noble named Gospatric.
On
3rd October 1065, over 200 senior thegns met in York and chose Morcar
to become their new leader. After plundering Tostig's treasury and
killing more than 200 of his followers, the army headed south.
When
Edward the Confessor heard the news he
called a meeting of his nobles at Britford. Several made complaints
about Tostig's rule claiming that his desire for wealth had made him
unduly severe. The king sent Harold to
put down the rebellion. Harold disagreed with this policy as he was
convinced it would result in a disastrous civil war. At a meeting
at Oxford on 28th October, Harold yielded
to their demands. Tostig was banished from the country and Morcar,
Harold's brother-in-law, became the new Earl of Northumbria.
After the death of Edward
the Confessor Morcar
supported Harold
as king of England. In early
September 1066, Tostig
and 300 ships sailed along
the coast and did some plundering, including the burning of Scarborough.
His ships then entered the Humber and on 20th September defeated Morcar's
army at Gate Fulford. Four days later the invaders took York.
Harold
defeated Tostig
and King
Harald Hardrada of Norway
at Stamford
Bridge. Morcar was reluctant to join Harold in his fight against
William
the Conqueror and
did not take part in the Battle of Hastings.
After Harold's death Morcar went to London
and suggested to the Witan that he should
be the next king of England. This idea was rejected and Morcar returned
to the north.
Morcar decided to submit
to William
the Conqueror and
as a result was allowed to keep his estates. In 1067 Morcar and his
brother, Edwin, Earl of Mercia, went with William to Normandy.
The two brothers remained in his court until 1068.
In June 1070 Hereward
seized
the isle of Ely. Morcar joined the insurgents but the following year
he surrendered when attacked by William's army. Morcar was taken to
Normandy where he was imprisoned until the death of William in September,
1087. Morcar returned to England but was immediately imprisoned by
William
Rufus.
Nothing further is known about him and it is assumed he died in prison.
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