Harold Godwinson's Succession

Harold Godwinson's Embassy to Normandy

Harold made several moves before Edward the Confessor's death to make sure that he would become king after Edward died (Edward didn't have an heir).

Harold vs Tostig

The Earl of Godwin died in 1053.
Edward the Confessor died in 1066.
Between these years, Harold Godwinson and Tostig Godwinson jockeyed for position to try to become the King of England once Edward died.

Harold's embassy to Normandy

In 1064, Harold led a group of representatives (called an 'embassy') on a trip to France to meet with William of Normandy.
Historians know that the trip was requested by Edward the Confessor, the current King of England.
Historians do not know what message was meant to be delivered.
On the trip to deliver the message, Harold Godwinson was captured by Count Guy of Ponthieu, but William of Normandy supported him and freed him. The two built some form of relationship during this time.

Harold's reported oath

It is reported that Harold Godwinson also took an oath (a promise of loyalty) to William of Normandy during this time.
The Normans would later claim that Harold Godwinson had said that William of Normandy could be the next King of England after King Edward.
English sources do not agree (but the only attendees were Harold Godwinson and his men).

Significance of the embassy

The fact that Harold Godwinson was sent to speak to William of Normandy, potentially about the succession of King Edward, shows that King Edward trusted Harold politically and militarily.
The meeting and the fact that its contents were kept secret, gave William of Normandy the chance to claim whatever he wanted. Whether or not it is true, he said the meeting agreed that he had the right to become the next King.

1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66

1.1Anglo-Saxon Society

1.1.1The Monarchy & Government

1.1.2Edward the Confessor (1003-1066)

1.1.3The Legal System

1.1.4Local Government

1.1.5The Economy & Social Structure

1.1.6Towns

1.1.7The Church

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Anglo-Saxon England

1.1.9Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon Society

1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis

1.2.1The House of Godwin

1.2.2Harold Godwinson's Succession

1.2.3The Rebellion Against Tostig

1.2.4Edward the Confessor's Death

1.2.5End of Topic Test - Edward the Confessor

1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne

1.3.1William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada & Edgar

1.3.2The Witan & the Reign of Harold Godwinson

1.3.3The Battles of Gate Fulford & Stamford Bridge

1.3.4Grade 9 - Anglo-Saxon & Norman England

1.4The Norman Invasion

1.4.1The Battle of Hastings

1.4.2Reasons for William's Victory

1.4.3End of Topic Test - Rival Claimants for the Throne

2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87

2.1Establishing Control

2.1.1The Submission of the Earls

2.1.2Getting Control of England

2.1.3Reasons for Building Castles

2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance

2.2.1The Revolts against William

2.2.2End of Topic Test - William I in Power

2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087

2.3.1Harrying of the North, 1069-70

2.3.2Changes in Land Ownership 1066-1087

2.3.3William I Maintains Royal Power

2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075

2.4.1The Revolt - 1075

2.4.2End of Topic Test - Legacy of Resistance

2.4.3Grade 9 - Legacy of Resistance

3Norman England, 1066-88

3.1The Feudal System & the Church

3.1.1The Norman Feudal Hierarchy

3.1.2The Nature of Feudalism & Forfeiture

3.1.3The Role of the Church in England

3.1.4The Extent of Change to Anglo-Saxon Society

3.1.5End of Topic Test - The Feudal System

3.2Norman Government

3.2.1Norman Government - Regents

3.2.2The Sheriff & the Forest

3.2.3The Domesday Book

3.3The Norman Aristocracy

3.3.1Aristocratic Culture & Language

3.3.2Bishop Odo

3.4William I & His Sons

3.4.1William I

3.4.2William's Death & the Succession

3.4.3End of Topic Test - Norman Government

3.4.4Grade 9 - Norman Government

Jump to other topics