Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

In the uncertain world of the aftermath of William the Bastard's conquest of England the new ruler was forced to divide his time between Normandy and his new realm. He left England under the regency of William fitz Osbern and of his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. In 1067 a Herefordshire land-owner, Edric the Wild, acquired the support of two Welsh princes, Bleddyn and Riwallon, and carried out a number of raids. When challenged they withdrew into the Welsh hills. In 1069, as the Danes and the English led by Edgar Atheling were making trouble around York, Edric and his friends rose again. This time they were easily subdued by William himself. It is said of Edric that after dinner one night he went for a walk and saw fairies dancing in a ring. He fell in love with one of them and married her. The king heard of this and ordered them to court so that he could speak with a fairy. Evidence of the truth of this tale is lacking.

Related Reading:

• Hastings 1066 (Revised Edition) - The Fall of Saxon England
  (Campaign 13 )