His Norman sympathies caused tensions with one of Canute's most powerful earls, Godwin of Wessex, whose daughter, Edith, Edward married in 1045 (the marriage was childless).
From the mid-12th century the Manor of Petworth was held by the Percy family, the powerful and often rebellious Earls of Northumberland.
Many of the powerful Earls of Scotland participated in this battle which is sometimes referred to as the Charge of the Earls.
On a low hill above lies the upper town, built in the 13th century by Philippe Hurepel, one of the powerful Earls of Boulogne.
Fowlers helped to put down the powerful earls trying to revolt against the new king.
Another branch of the Clan Boyle from Scotland settled in Ireland where they became the powerful Earls of Cork.
Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk was one of the more powerful earls who joined the revolt against Henry.
Nearby Threave Castle was a seat of the powerful "Black" Earls of Douglas.
It became the administrative headquarters for the powerful Earls of Cornwall where they could control the vast estates that they owned throughout the area.
The 18th-century town house, and some remains of the ancient mansion of the once powerful earls of Ross, still exist.