Page "William the Conqueror" Paragraph 44

William may have hoped that the English would surrender following his victory, but they did not.

Instead some of the English clergy and magnates nominated Edgar the Ætheling as king, but their support for Edgar was only lukewarm.

After waiting a short while, William secured Dover, parts of Kent, and Canterbury, while also sending a force to capture Winchester, where the royal treasury was.

These captures secured William's rear areas and also his line of retreat to Normandy, if that was needed.

William then marched to Southwark, across the Thames from London, which he reached in late November.

Next he led his forces around the south and west of London, burning along the way.

He finally crossed the Thames at Wallingford in early December.

Archbishop Stigand submitted to William there, and when the duke moved on to Berkhamsted soon afterwards, Edgar the Ætheling, Morcar, Edwin and Archbishop Ealdred also submitted.

William then sent forces into London to construct a castle ; he was crowned at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066.