How did William deal with Danish invasions?

• A. Paying them off and carrying out the Harrying of the North to remove support for future invasions.
• B. Negotiating a long-term alliance with Danish rulers.
• C. Allowing Danish control over the Danelaw regions.
• D. Ignoring the invasions until the rebellions subsided.

Answer: (A)

William’s response combined financial appeasement with brutal domestic action to neutralize the Danish threat and deter future invasions. First, he used payments to persuade the Danes to withdraw rather than press a costly, ongoing campaign. Then, when rebellion and Danish backing for rebels persisted, he carried out the Harrying of the North—devastating campaigns that destroyed resources, crushed opposition, and stripped rebels of support. This dual approach aimed to remove the immediate danger and deter future raids by denying both the Danes and English rebels the means to resist Norman rule. That’s why this option best captures how William managed Danish incursions.