What happened to Waltheof after the 1075 revolt?

• A. He fled England and was forgiven
• B. He fled, was tricked to return by William, imprisoned, and executed
• C. He remained in exile in Normandy
• D. He became a trusted adviser to the king

Answer: (B)

After the 1075 revolt, the situation centers on how William the Conqueror dealt with English noble opposition. Waltheof, the powerful Earl of Northumbria, chose to flee England to avoid punishment. William then used a ruse, luring him back to England under the pretense of pardon or safe return. Once back, Waltheof was imprisoned and executed for treason. This sequence shows the brutal reality of how the Norman regime consolidated control: punish those who opposed him, even through deception if needed. He didn’t stay in exile, he wasn’t forgiven, and he didn’t become an adviser—the outcomes described in the other options don’t fit the historical record.