1. The last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisis Flashcards
Who were the Godwins?
The most powerful family in England
What roles did Godwin have?
Earl of Wessex (1020-53)
Earl of Kent (1023-53)
What role did Sweyn Godwinson have?
Earl of Hereford (1043-51)
What roles did Harold Godwinson have?
Earl of East Anglia (1045-57)
Earl of Wessex (1053-66)
Earl of Hereford (1058-66)
What role did Tostig Godwinson have?
Earl of Northumbria (1055-65)
What role did Leofwine Godwinson have?
Earl of Kent (1057-66)
What role did Gyrth Godwinson have?
Earl of East Anglia (1057-66)
Why were the Godwins considered the most powerful family in England?
Together, they were the earls of all earldoms in England - this meant that they were in control of many people (according to the udal law system)
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When was Harold’s embassy? Where was it to?
1064 - to Normandy
What are the two different interpretations as to why Harold went on this embassy?
NORMAN: Harold went to talk about Edward’s wish for William to be his successor
ANGLO-SAXON: Harold went to recover two hostages from William - Harold’s brother and nephew
Why was Harold in William’s debt when he went on the embassy?
He was shipwrecked off the coast and was captured by a local lord. William then rescued him, putting him in his debt.
After relying Edward’s message to William, what do Norman sources say Harold did?
Harold swore on holy relics, making a solemn oath to help William become king after Edward’s death
What were the reasons for Tostig being disliked by the people of his earldom?
He was seen as an outsider from the south
He treated them harshly, imposing heavy taxation
He often wasn’t there, spending more time in Edward’s court
Murders he committed - ordered the death of Northumbrian rivals whilst they were in his court. The most significant were two of Gospatric’s followers, as well as Gospatric himself (a Northumbrian - not Anglo-Saxon - aristocrat).
What happened in 1065?
The thegns of Northumbria rose against Tostig, calling for Morcar to replace him.
Who did Edward send in response to the events of 1065? What did this person realise and advise Edward to do? Why did he do this?
Edward sent Harold to talk to the rebels
Harold realised that Tostig couldn’t keep control of the area.
He advised Edward to make Morcar the Earl of Northumbria, as - otherwise - the defence from the north of England would be weak
