What happened to most of Ralph de Gael's followers after the rebellion?

• A. Most were blinded or banished
• B. Most were executed
• C. Most were pardoned and allowed to stay in England
• D. Most were sent to Brittany for exile

Answer: (A)

When a rebellion is crushed, the aim is to weaken the rebels and deter others from rising again. In this period, the rulers often chose punishment that disabled the followers and removed them from the power base, rather than simply executing large numbers. Blinding and banishment fit that approach: blinding makes someone unable to lead or fight, while banishment removes them from the realm so they can’t influence future uprisings. This combination allowed the crown to restore order and protect the lands and labor force without erasing the rebel network entirely. In Ralph de Gael’s case, the crackdown followed this pattern, with many followers facing maiming or exile rather than mass execution.