The Contenders

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Contenders for the English Throne in 1066

When Edward the Confessor died in 1066, there were three very different contenders for the English throne.

The three contenders

Because there was no clear heir to the throne, four contenders put forward their claim to the English throne:
- Harold Godwinson.
- Harald Hardrada.
- William, Duke of Normandy.
- Edgar Atheling, great-nephew of Edward.

Harold Godwinson

Harold Godwinson was an English nobleman and Earl of Wessex (an earldom in the South of England).
Although Harold was not related to Edward the Confessor by blood, Harold was Edward's brother-in-law. It is claimed that Edward had named Harold as his successor.

The will of the Witan

The royal council in England at that time, known as the Witan, proclaimed Harold Godwinson the king after Edward’s death.
Harold’s claim to the throne was strengthened by the fact that he was the only English contender, and the English nobility knew him and respected him.

Harald Hardrada

Harald Hardrada was a Viking warrior and the King of Norway.
His ancestor, King Cnut, had been King of England earlier in the century, so he believed he had a strong claim to the English throne.
As a fearsome Viking warrior, he was prepared to fight hard for the English throne.
He was also helped by Harold Godwinson’s treacherous brother, Tostig.

William, Duke of Normandy

William, Duke of Normandy, claimed the throne because of an agreement he had supposedly made with Harold Godwinson.
Harold Godwinson had led an embassy (group of representatives) to Normandy in 1064/65, where he had supposedly offered William the throne.

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.1.1The Song Dynasty

1.1.2The Liao Dynasty

1.1.3The Jin Dynasty

1.1.4Achievements of Chinese Dynasties

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.2.1The Byzantine Empire

1.2.2Strengths & Weaknesses of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.3.1The Islamic Empire

1.3.2Achievements of the Islamic Empire

1.3.3The Umayyads & Abbasids

1.3.4Strengths & Weaknesses of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.1The Beginning of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.2Characteristics of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.3Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire

1.4.4The Story of Otto III

1.4.5Strengths & Weaknesses of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.5.1The Hierarchy of the Church

1.5.2The Church Officials

1.5.3Methods of Worship

1.5.4Religious Life & Monasticism

1.5.5Key Figures & Events

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.6.1The Church, Education & Daily Life

1.6.2The Influence of the Church on Politics

1.6.3Strengths & Weaknesses of the Church's Influence

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.7.1Conflicts with the Church

1.7.2Excommunication of King Henry IV

1.7.3Religious Movements & Heresies

1.7.4The Crusades

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.8.1The Norman Conquest & Its Aftermath

1.8.2The Anarchy: A Civil War for the Crown

1.8.3The Plantagenet Family Feuds

1.8.4The Wars of the Roses

1.8.5The Story of The Princes in the Tower

1.8.6Strengths & Weaknesses of Dynastic Struggles

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9.1The Magna Carta

1.9.2The Rise of Parliament

1.9.3The Baron’s Wars

1.9.4Strengths & Weaknesses of Political Challenges

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.10.1The Power of the People

1.10.2The Peasants Revolt of 1381

1.10.3Women in the Peasants Revolt

1.10.4Jack Cade’s Rebellion in 1450

1.10.5The Legend of Robin Hood

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.11.1Medieval England & Wales

1.11.2The Rise of Welsh Princes

1.11.3The Legend of the Red Dragon

1.11.4The History of Medieval England and Scotland

1.11.5Castles & the Stone of Scone

1.11.6The History of Medieval England and France 1

1.11.7History of Medieval England & France 2

1.12European Renaissance

1.12.1The Fall of the Byzantine Empire 1

1.12.2The Fall of the Byzantine Empire 2

1.12.3Advancements in Science and Technology 1

1.12.4Advancements in Science and Technology 2

1.12.5Renaissance Art

1.12.6The Age of Exploration 1

1.12.7The Age of Exploration 2

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.13.1Pre-1066

1.13.2Pre-1066 - Warfare

1.13.3Pre-1066 - Culture

1.13.4Edward's Death

1.13.5Claims to the English Throne

1.13.6The Conquest - Battle of Gate Fulford

1.13.7The Conquest - The Battle of Stamford Bridge

1.13.8The Conquest - The Battle of Hastings

1.13.9The Conquest - The Battle of Hastings - Tactics

1.13.10The Conquest - Why Did William Win?

1.13.11Disciplinary Knowledge - Causation

1.13.12Disciplinary Knowledge - Consequence

1.13.13Norman Power & Control

1.13.14Changes Under the Normans - Society

1.13.15Changes Under the Normans - Towns

1.13.16Changes Under the Normans - Town Features

1.13.17Changes Under the Normans - The Church

1.13.18Changes Under the Normans - The Church 2

1.13.19Changes Under the Normans - The Feudal System

1.13.20Changes Under the Normans - Rights & Responsibilit

1.13.21Disciplinary Knowledge - Change & Continuity

1.14Historical Skills

1.14.1Chronology – Piecing Together the Past 1

1.14.2Chronology – Piecing Together the Past 2

1.14.3Uncovering the Past

1.14.4How Historians use Historical Evidence

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.1.1Vikings & Anglo-Saxons

2.1.2Reasons for Viking Invasions

2.1.3Alfred the Great

2.1.4England's Revival

2.1.5Anglo-Saxon Towns

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.2.1Edward the Confessor's Death

2.2.2The Contenders

2.2.3Battle of Stamford Bridge

2.2.4Battle of Hastings

2.2.5Battle of Hastings Timeline

2.2.6End of Topic Test - Edward's Death to Hastings

2.2.7The Feudal System

2.2.8Castles

2.2.9The Domesday Book

2.2.10End of Topic Test - Feudal System & Domesday Book

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.3.1Origins of the Crusades

2.3.2Early Disputes Over the Holy Land

2.3.3The First Crusade

2.3.4Course of the Crusades

2.3.5Reasons for the Crusades

2.3.6Military Impact of the Crusades

2.3.7Scientific Impact of the Crusades

2.3.8Domestic Impact of the Crusades

2.3.9Christian Interpretation of the Crusades

2.3.10Muslim Interpretation of the Crusades

2.3.11End of Topic Test - The Crusades

2.3.12End of Topic Test - The Crusades 2

2.4King John

2.4.1King John

2.4.2King John's Power

2.4.3King John & the Church

2.4.4The Battle of Bouvines

2.4.5The Barons' Rebellion

2.4.6End of Topic Test - King John

2.4.7End of Topic Test - The Battle of Bouvines

2.4.8End of Topic Test - The BArons' Rebellion

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.5.1The Magna Carta

2.5.2Lasting Impact of the Magna Carta

2.5.3The Magna Carta & the Monarchy

2.5.4The Magna Carta & Democracy

2.5.5Contemporary Interpretations of King John

2.5.6Later Interpretations of King John

2.5.7Modern Interpretations of King John

2.5.8End of Topic Test - The Magna Carta

2.5.9End of Topic Test - Lasting Impact of Magna Carta

2.5.10End of Topic Test - Interpretations of King John

2.6The Black Death

2.6.1The Black Death

2.6.2The Impact of the Black Death

3Worldviews

3.1Time & History

3.1.1Measuring Time

3.2The Christian World

3.2.1Constantinople & the World in 1000

3.2.2Who was St Foy?

3.2.3The Significance of St Foy

3.3The Muslim World

3.3.1Location & Building of Baghdad

3.3.2House of Wisdom

3.3.3Development of Knowledge

3.3.4Madrasas

3.3.5Translating Knowledge & Key Scholars

3.3.6Science & Medicine

3.3.7What does Medieval Baghdad Reveal?

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

4.1Geography

4.1.1Geography of the Mali Empire

4.1.2Medieval West Africa

4.1.3Foundation of the Malian Empire

4.1.4Sunjata Keita

4.1.5Cities of the Mali Empire

4.2Key Figures

4.2.1Mansa Musa

4.2.2Disciplinary Knowledge - Significance

4.2.3Disciplinary Knowledge - Similarity & Diffference

4.3The Hajj to Mecca

4.3.1The Hajj to Mecca

4.3.2The Impact of the Hajj

4.3.3The Impact in Mali

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

6.1The British Empire

6.1.1The British Empire

6.2North America

6.2.1Early Settlement

6.2.2Jamestown, Virginia

6.2.3The Pilgrim Fathers

6.2.4Native Americans

6.2.5Independence

6.3The Caribbean

6.3.1The Slave Trade

6.3.2Impact of the Slave Trade

6.4India

6.4.1The East India Company

6.4.2Expansion of the East India Company

6.4.3Bengal

6.4.4Significance of India

6.5Australia

6.5.1A Penal Colony

6.5.2The Native Population

6.6Africa

6.6.1Cape Colony

6.6.2Egypt

6.6.3West Africa

6.7The Outcomes of the British Empire

6.7.1Impacts of the British Empire

6.7.2The Brutality of Empire

6.7.3The Fall of the British Empire

6.7.4End of Topic Test - The British Empire 1

6.7.5End of Topic Test - The British Empire 2

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

7.1Causes of the Peasants' Revolt

7.1.1Why Did the Peasants Revolt?

7.1.2Poll Tax

7.1.3Black Death

7.1.4John of Gaunt

7.1.5Other Reasons for the Peasants' Revolt

7.1.6The Trigger for the Peasants' Revolt

7.2Course of the Revolt

7.2.1Rebellion Starts in Essex & Kent

7.2.2March to London

7.2.3Events in London

7.2.4Crushing the Revolt

7.2.5End of the Revolt

7.3Consequences of the Peasants Revolt

7.3.1Immediate Consequences

7.3.2Short Term Consequences

7.3.3Long Term Consequences

7.4Peasants' Revolt's Threat to Monarchy

7.4.1What is Monarchic Power?

7.4.2Was the Revolt a Threat to the King's Power?

7.4.3Was the Revolt a Threat to the Lords?

7.4.4Was the Revolt a Threat to the Feudal System?

8Religion in the Middle Ages

8.1Religion in the Middle Ages

8.1.1How Powerful was the Church?

8.1.2The Church

8.1.3Where did People Worship?

8.1.4What was the Role of the Church in Everyday Life?

8.1.5How did the Church use the Afterlife?

8.1.6What was the Role of Monasteries?

8.1.7How Significant was the Church?

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

9.1Slavery

9.1.1Beginnings of the Slave Trade

9.1.2The Triangular Slave Trade

9.1.3Impact of the Slave Trade on Britain

9.1.4Slave Trade & World Impacts

9.1.5Reasons Attitudes to the Slave Trade Changed

9.1.6The Committee for the Abolition

9.1.7The Abolition of Slavery: Key Events

9.1.8Interpretations of the Slave Trade

9.1.9Interpretations of Abolition

9.1.10End of Topic Test - Slavery

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

11.1The Industrial Revolution

11.1.1Life in Britain 1750

11.1.2New Inventions

11.1.3What was the Significance of these Inventions?

11.1.4The Factory System

11.1.5Factory Life

11.1.6Coal

11.1.7Steam Trains

11.1.8Canals

11.1.9Towns & Cities

11.1.10Living Conditions in Towns & Cities

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

12.1US Independence

12.1.1Conquering America

12.1.2Fighting France

12.1.3Causes of the War of Independence

12.1.4Causes of the War of Independence 2

12.1.5The American War of Independence

12.1.6Outcome of the War

12.1.7End of Topic Test - US Independence

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

13.1The Revolution

13.1.1The Ancien Regime

13.1.2The Estates-General

13.1.3The Storming of the Bastille

13.1.4Political Reform

13.1.5The Fall of the King

13.1.6The Terror

13.2The Restoration of Order

13.2.1Who was Napoleon Bonaparte?

13.2.2Napoleon’s Rise to Power

13.2.3Napoleon in Power

13.2.4Military Success

13.2.5The Fall of Napoleon

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

14.1The British Empire

14.1.1Empires over Time

14.1.2Expansion into Africa

14.1.3Motives for Expansion into Africa

14.1.4History of Egypt

14.1.5The British Empire & India

14.1.6The Bengal Famine, Indian Mutiny & Indian Economy

14.1.7International Relations with other Powers

14.1.8Scramble for Africa

14.1.9The Berlin Conference & Assessment

14.1.10Native Policy in Colonies

14.1.11Relations & Business with Iran

14.1.12Iran After WW2

14.1.13Impact of WW1 - White Dominion Support

14.1.14Impact of WW1 - Indian and African Support

14.1.15Palestine & the Middle East

14.1.16Britain & its African & Middle Eastern Colonies

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

15.1Suffrage

15.1.1The 1832 Great Reform Act

15.1.2Women & Work in the 19th Century

15.1.3Women’s Education in the 19th Century

15.1.4The Rise of Revolutionaries

15.2The Campaign for Women’s Suffrage

15.2.1The Suffragists (NUWSS)

15.2.2The Suffragettes (WSPU)

15.2.3The Escalation of the Suffragettes (WSPU)

15.2.4The Effect of WW1 on the Suffragettes

15.3Women’s Enfranchisement

15.3.1Women’s Enfranchisement

15.3.2Political Representation

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

16.1Causes of WW1

16.1.1A United Germany

16.1.2German Foreign Policy

16.1.3The Triple Alliance

16.1.4The 'Entente'

16.1.5Impact of the Alliances on International Relations

16.1.6German Rearmament

16.1.7British Rearmament

16.2Outbreak & Early War

16.2.1Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

16.2.2The July Crisis

16.2.3The Schlieffen Plan

16.2.4Failure of the Schlieffen Plan

16.2.5The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909)

16.2.6The Crisis in the Balkans (1908-1909) - Climax

16.2.7The Balkan Wars (1912-13)

16.2.8Summary of the Lead Up to War

16.3The War of Attrition

16.3.1Stalemate

16.3.2Trench Warfare

16.3.3Battle of Verdun

16.3.4Battle of the Somme

16.3.5Consequences of the Battle of the Somme

16.3.6Battle of Passchendaele

16.3.7New Weapons

16.3.8The War at Sea

16.3.9U-Boats

16.3.10The War in the Air

16.4Forgotten Armies of WWI

16.4.1Forgotten Armies of WWI

16.4.2The Story of Ganga Singh

16.4.3The Story of Algerian Troops

16.4.4The Story of Mike Mountain Horse

16.4.5The Story of Chinese Labourers 1

16.4.6The Story of Chinese Labourers 2

16.5The End of the War

16.5.1Reasons for the Entry of the USA

16.5.2The Impact of US Entry on the War

16.5.3The German Spring Offensive

16.5.4The Allied Advance

16.5.5The Final Blockade

16.5.6The Armistice

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

18.1World War 2

18.1.1Long Term Factors of WW2

18.1.2Hitler & the Nazis

18.1.3Appeasement

18.1.4The Phoney War

18.1.5The Blitzkrieg

18.1.6The Battle of Britain

18.1.7German Invasion of the USSR

18.1.8US Entrance into WW2

18.1.9Allied Victory

18.1.10Churchill

18.1.11Anti-Semitism

18.1.12The Holocaust

18.1.13Outcome of WW2

18.1.14Interpretations of the Causes of WW2

18.1.15Interpretation of US Entrance

18.1.16Interpretation of USSR Entrance

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

19.1The Cold War

19.1.1Introduction to Key Terms of the Cold War

19.1.2Ideological Differences Between the Superpowers

19.1.3The Yalta & Potsdam Conferences - 1945 AD

19.1.4Satellite States

19.1.5The Atomic Bomb

19.1.6NATO

19.1.7Containment

19.1.8The Marshall Plan

19.1.9The Berlin Crisis

19.1.10The Berlin Airlift

19.1.11The Refugee Problem in Berlin

19.1.12The Berlin Wall

19.1.13The Arms Race

19.1.14The Space Race

19.1.15Relations with Cuba

19.1.16The Cuban Missile Crisis

19.1.17Consequences of the Cuban Missile Crisis

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

20.1Segregation in the USA

20.1.1Segregation & Discrimination

20.1.2Voting

20.1.3Brown v. Topeka

20.1.4Little Rock High School

20.1.5Rosa Parks

20.1.6Martin Luther King Jr.

20.1.7Opposition to the Civil Rights Movement

20.1.8The Murder of Emmett Till

20.1.9The James Meredith Case

20.1.10Peaceful Protests in the 1960s

20.1.11Freedom Summer & Mississippi Murders

20.1.12Civil & Voting Rights Acts

20.1.13Presidents Kennedy & Johnson

20.1.14The Riots of 1965–67

20.1.15The Kerner Report

20.1.16Martin Luther King's Campaign

20.1.17Assassination of Martin Luther King

20.1.18Consequences of Assassination of MLK

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