William and the Normans - Is There a Revolt?

It's also possible that William was kind of forced to hold back during the winter at first. For example, maybe there was more dissent within the Norman ranks than they wanted to admit. Maybe there was a crisis of confidence in his commanders. Alternatively, was he spooked by rumors that people were seeking the support of the King of Denmark and he expected a sudden invasion? I don't know. But something had to have made William leave his hometown and family just before Christmas to rush across the channel in the middle of the night.