On the following Christmas Day (1066) William was anointed and crowned
in Westminster Abbey. His accession to the throne marked the union of
England and Normandy (S191). (See map facing p. 54). He assumed the
title of "King of the English," which had been used by Edward the
Confessor and by Harold. The title "King of England" did not fully
and finally come into use until John's accession, more than a hundred
and thirty years later. William did not remain in London, but made
Winchester, in the south of England, his capital. In the spring
(1067) he sailed for Normandy, where he had left his queen, Matilda,
to govern in his absence.
While on the Continent he intrusted England to the hands of two
regents, one his half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, the other his
friend William Fitz-Osbern; the former he had made Earl of Kent, the
latter Earl of Hereford.
During the next three years there were outbreaks and uprisings in the
lowlands of Cambridgeshire and the moors of Yorkshire, besides
incursions of both Danes and Scots.