Morkar

Also known as: Earl Morkar / Morcar / Morcar the earl · Family: English · Role: earl · First appears: A.D. 1060–1065

In 1065, after Tosty was displaced, Morkar, son of Elgar, was chosen as earl, a choice confirmed by Edward son of Ethelred. He went south with the shire forces, and his brother Earl Edwin met him at Northampton.

In 1066, Morkar and Edwin drove Tosty from Lindsey after his raid. Before Harald, King of Norway and Tosty reached York, they gathered forces and fought them, but the Northmen won the field; at York, Harald and Tosty defeated Edwin and Morcar. Morkar and Edwin later promised to fight alongside Aldred and London’s leaders for Edgar Etheling. At Berkhampstead, Morkar joined Aldred, Edgar, Edwin, and the London leaders in submitting to William of Normandy, exchanging hostages and oaths. In Lent, William took Morkar with him to Normandy. In 1071, Morkar surrendered to William at Ely.