Claimants To The Throne👑

Question 1

What was the name of Edgar Aethling’s father?

Answer 1

Edward the Exile

Question 2

What had Edward the Exile been named?

Answer 2

Heir to the throne

Question 3

Why did Edgar Aethling have a strong claim to the throne?

Answer 3

Closest blood relative to Edward the Confessor

Question 4

When was Edward the Exile (Edgar’s father) named heir?

Answer 4

1056

Question 5

How old was Edgar Aethling?

Answer 5

14 years old in 1066

Question 6

What nationality was Edgar?

Answer 6

English

Question 7

Who was Harald Hardrada’s father and what agreement had he made?

Answer 7

Magnus, King of Norway.
Had an agreement with King Harthacnut that he would inherit the English throne.

Question 8

What had Harald Hardrada never done?

Answer 8

Spent any time in England.

Question 9

What elite unit did Harald Hardrada command?

Answer 9

The Varangian Guard

Question 10

What made Harald Hardrada a strong claimant?

Answer 10

• He was an experienced soldier.
• Northern part of England (previously ruled by Vikings) had strong support for him.

Question 11

Who encouraged Hardrada to stake his claim in the English throne?

Answer 11

Tostig Godwinson (brother of Harold Godwinson)

Question 12

What had Tostig been sentenced to?

Answer 12

Exile from England.

Question 13

Why did Tostig want Hardrada to invade England?

Answer 13

So Tostig could regain his land and power as Earl of Northumbria.

Question 14

How did William have a distant link to the throne?

Answer 14

• Illegitimate son of Richard, Duke of Normandy
• Edward had grown up in Normandy
• Edward had used Norman soldiers to exile the Godwin’s in 1051

Question 15

What was Edgar Aethling unable to do?

Answer 15

• Surround himself with powerful supporters.
• Limited money.
• No Housecarls or military experience.

Question 16

What did William claim?

Answer 16

• That Edward had promised him the throne.
• In 1064, Harold Godwinson had visited Normandy and promised to support Williams claim to the throne.

Question 17

What made William a strong claimant?

Answer 17

• Large amounts of military experience
• ruled Normandy extremely effectively
• very close relationship with Pope

Question 18

What was Harold’s title already in England?

Answer 18

Sub-regulus

Question 19

What did Harold have lots of?

Answer 19

Money. Richest man in England.

Question 20

When did Harold become sub-regulus?

Answer 20

Since about 1060

Question 21

How did Harold have a close link to the throne?

Answer 21

His sister was also married to Edward the confessor.

Question 22

Who did Harold have the support of?

Answer 22

The Witan

Question 23

What made Harold an experienced military leader?

Answer 23

Previously defeated the king of North Wales.

Question 24

What did Harold claim?

Answer 24

Edward named him as heir with his dying breath.