1.3.1
William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada & Edgar
The Succession Crisis: Who Would Be King?
The Succession Crisis: Who Would Be King?
There was no clear heir after the death of Edward the Confessor. There were a number of claimants that believed they had the right to become king.
Harold Godwinson
Harold Godwinson
- Edward had asked Harold Godwinson to travel to Normandy and had been one of Edward's most trusted advisors when he was alive.
- King Edward asked Harold Godwinson to become the next King as he lay dying.
- Eyewitnesses had seen King Edward ask Harold Godwinson to become the next king and the king's council (the Witan) supported him in becoming Edward's successor.
William of Normandy
William of Normandy
- William of Normandy claimed that he was the rightful next King of England.
- On Harold Godwinson's embassy trip to Normandy in 1064, the Normans claimed that Harold had sworn an oath of allegiance to William of Normandy, which would mean that he should become the next King of England.
- The Catholic Pope, Pope Alexander II supported William of Normandy. He believed William's claims about Harold's oath and liked William's commitments to improve the English Church after taking control.
- William had a strong army, based in Normandy, but his claims were weakened by the fact that he was French, and that logistically, invading Britain, over the Channel would be difficult.
- Unlike the House of Godwin, William had almost no pre-existing influence in England.
Edgar Aethling
Edgar Aethling
- Edgar Aethling had royal blood. He was descended from King Alfred the Great, who had been the King of England between 886 and 899.
- Edgar was 15 years old in 1066. This made it unlikely that he would have been made King. He was viewed as inexperienced and also lacked a large supporter base (which is generally built up with age and credibility).
Harald Hardrada
Harald Hardrada
- Harald Hardrada was a Viking. He claimed to be a descendent of King Cnute, who had ruled England until 1035 (more recently than King Alfred the Great).
- Harald Hardrada had become the King of Norway in the year 1046.
- Harald was experienced in war, having fought against Denmark for many years.
- Harald's claims seem more opportunistic than the others - he seems to have seen an opportunity to claim land and win power in England.
- However, he had tens of thousands of warriors and a strong navy available to him.
- He also had good trading relationships with England's trading partners in Scandinavia.
Tostig Godwinson
Tostig Godwinson
- Tostig Godwinson was in exile, with little military support in England.
- Tostig was a weak candidate. Before the rebellion in 1065, he could well have been a likely candidate, but the revolt destroyed his power base.
- However, it is thought that Tostig Godwinson joined and supported Harald Hardrada's efforts, believing that the the best way for him to gain back power & influence was as someone's No2.
1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66
1.1Anglo-Saxon Society
1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis
1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne
2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87
2.1Establishing Control
2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance
2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087
2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075
3Norman England, 1066-88
3.1The Feudal System & the Church
3.2Norman Government
3.3The Norman Aristocracy
Jump to other topics
1Anglo-Saxon England & The Norman Conquest, 1060-66
1.1Anglo-Saxon Society
1.2Edward the Confessor & The Succession Crisis
1.3The Rival Claimants for the Throne
2William I in Power: Securing the Kingdom, 1066-87
2.1Establishing Control
2.2Causes & Outcomes of Anglo-Saxon Resistance
2.3The Legacy of Resistance to 1087
2.4Revolt of the Earls, 1075
3Norman England, 1066-88
3.1The Feudal System & the Church
3.2Norman Government
3.3The Norman Aristocracy
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