1.3.2
The Witan & the Reign of Harold Godwinson
The Witan and the Reign of Harold Godwinson
The Witan and the Reign of Harold Godwinson
Harold needed the support of the Witan (royal council) to be a successful king. The Witan essentially had the casting vote on who would become the next King of England.
Coronation of Harold
Coronation of Harold
- 6 January 1066: Harold Godwinson's coronation (the same day as Edward's funeral).
- The Witan (King's council) had gathered together for Edward's funeral in Westminster Abbey, London.
- Because everyone was in the same place, this made it easier for Harold to force his case and make the Witan accept him as the next King of England.
Military defence against other claims
Military defence against other claims
- Harold Godwinson quickly set about building a military strategy to defend England and his position as King.
- He marched 1 army north to York.
- He had another army march south.
- He positioned the English navy in the English Channel in order to defend against any threat from France. (The Vikings would invade from the North Sea rather than the English Channel).
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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