1: Anglo-Saxon England (1060-1066)

Question 1

INDIVIDUAL:
Name the Anglo-Saxon King in 1060 AND the month he died in 1066

Answer 1

Edward the Confessor
Jan 1066

Question 2

EXPERT WORD:
Who were the witan?

Answer 2

council that advised the king

Question 3

EXPERT WORD:
What did an earl do?

Answer 3

collected taxes from their area
oversaw law and order in their area
gathered and led an army from their area

Question 4

EXPERT WORD:
Describe at least 2 features of law and order in 1060 England

Answer 4

Hue and cry
collective responsibility
wergild (fines)
trial by ordeal - god would judge

Question 5

EXPERT WORD:
What was the population of England in 1060?

Answer 5

2 million

Question 6

INDIVIDUALS:
Why were the Godwin family so powerful?

Answer 6

richer than king
ruled 4 / 5 earldoms
Harold led army

Question 7

DATES:
What did William say happened when Edward sent Harold away to Normandy on embassy in 1064?

Answer 7

William rescued Harold
Harold had been sent with a message from Edward that he wanted William to be king next (his successor)
Harold swore his support on holy relics that William could be king next

Question 8

DATES:
How did Harold respond to an uprising against his brother Tostig in 1065?

Answer 8

King Edward ordered Harold to take an army north to support Tostig
Harold Godwinson ignored the order and exiled (sent away) his own brother, replacing him with a new earl Morcar

Question 9

INDIVIDUALS:
Give one strength of Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne after Edward died

Answer 9

rich
led army
lots of supporters
claimed Edward had told him he could be the successor as he was dying
powerful earl
powerful family - owned 4/5 earldoms

Question 10

INDIVIDUALS:
Give one strength AND one weakness of Edgar Aethling’s claim to the throne after Edward died

Answer 10

strength: royal blood
weakness: only a teenager, inexperience, lack of supporters

Question 11

INDIVIDUALS:
Give one strength AND one weakness of Harald Hardrada’s claim to the throne after Edward died

Answer 11

strength: already a king, experienced, mighty warrior, powerful (300 ships, 15,000 warrior army)

weakness: foreigner, lacked support, would have to take power by force

Question 12

INDIVIDUALS:
Give one strength AND one weakness of William of Normandy’s claim to the throne after Edward died

Answer 12

strength: claimed he had been promised by Edward AND Harold Godwinson, strong military ruler, rich, supported by Pope

weakness: foreigner, would have to take power by force

Question 13

DATES:
When did Harold Godwinson get crowned?

Answer 13

6th January 1066 - the day after Edward’s funeral (very rare!)
then he rushed off to the north to ensure people there supported him