Claimants to the throne in 1066 Flashcards
Which monarch died in 1066?
Edward the Confessor
Why were there multiple claimants who could be crowned king?
Edward had no direct heir to the throne.
Who was the Viking claimant?
Harald Hardrada
Who was the Saxon claimant?
Harold Godwinson
Who was the Norman claimant?
William the Conqueror
Who was chosen to be the heir to the throne?
Harold Godwinson
How old was Edgar the Atheling?
15 years old
Who chose the king’s heir?
The witten
What reasons did Edgar the Atheling have to being the king?
He was the Anglo-Saxon prince and great-nephew of the late King. In 1057, Edward the Confessor had named Edgar’s father heir to the throne.
What reasons did Harald Hardrada have to being the king?
He was a formidable Viking warrior.Also his claim was also based on an earlier promise made to his father. Between 1016 and 1042, England had been ruled by Danish Vikings. The last of them was Harthacnut. Harthacnut had named Magnus, King of Norway, as his successor. But when Harthacnut died, the English crown went to Harthacnut’s Anglo-Saxon half-brother instead- none other than Edward the Confessor. Magnus died soon afterwards, so when the English crown came up for grabs again in 1066, Harald Hardrada leapt at the chance to claim back what he believed his father had been denied.
What reasons did Harold Godwinson have to being the king?
He was an Anglo-Saxon, who believed he should be Edward’s successor. Harold was the Earl of Wessex, the richest man in the kingdom, and had good alliances with all the major nobles of England. He had been the late King’s advisor, governing the country on Edward the Confessor’s behalf, whilst the King was busy with his religious pursuits. King Edward had even married Harold’s sister, Edith. Harold also claimed the late King had promised him the throne on his deathbed. This assertion was backed up by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. But this was hardly surprising, as Harold was an Anglo-Saxon.
What reasons did William the Conqueror have to being the king?
He was a distant cousin of the late King. Edward the Confessor had lived in Normandy for 25 years prior to his coronation, so he actually knew William better than his English nobles. England had been ruled by Anglo-Saxons or Vikings for the last 200 years. William was neither. William claimed that King Edward had promised him the throne, and this, of course, was the version reported by the Norman chroniclers. What’s more, William had many supporters, including the Pope in Rome, which meant, in effect, he also had the backing of God.
What month was Harold Godwinson crowned king?
January
