8.1 The causes of the Norman Conquest

Question 1

Who was Edward the half-brother of?

Answer 1

King Harthacanute

Question 2

When was Edward provided with a post-origin promise by King Harthacanute due to the King being ill?

Answer 2

1041

Question 3

After Edward the Confessor became King in 1042, how did he gain the support of the Godwin family?

Answer 3

Politically married Edith Godwin in 1045, the daughter of Earl Godwin

Question 4

What happened in 1051 regarding the Godwin family and Edward the Confessor?

Answer 4

Godwin’s rebelled

Question 5

How was William I involved with the Godwin rebellion?

Answer 5

He provided Edward the Confessor with support, leading to Ed providing him with a post-obitum promise.

Question 6

How powerful were the Godwin family?

Answer 6

By 1057 they controlled earldoms in every part of England except Mercia.

Question 7

Politically, what power did Harold Godwinson own?

Answer 7

Sub-regulus

Earl of Wessex

Question 8

How did the succession war begin?

Answer 8

Ed dieing in January 1066, leaving behind no heir

Question 9

Who had the strongest familial bond with Edward?

Answer 9

Edgar Atheling was Edward’s closest blood relative, direct bloodline to the throne, grandson of Edmund Ironside, described in the Chronicles as Edward’s adopted son

Question 10

Why was Edgar not suited to the throne?

Answer 10

Only 14 years old and had no military experience

Question 11

When did Ed die?

Answer 11

5 January 1066

Question 12

Who was made King on the 6th January 1066 (a day after Ed’s death)?

Answer 12

Harold Godwinson

Question 13

What promise did Ed allegedly provide to Harold on his death bed?

Answer 13

Novissima Verba

Question 14

What was Edward’s relationship with William?

Answer 14

Distant cousin, related through Ed’s mother- Emma of Normandy

Question 15

Why was William named the Bastard?

Answer 15

Illegimate son of the Duke of Normandy

Question 16

What relationship did England have with Normandy?

Answer 16

• strong trade links since the 990s

- Supported England against Viking raids

Question 17

What was Edward’s personal relationship with Normandy?

Answer 17

Grown up in Normandy

Question 18

What was Harold’s relationship with William?

Answer 18

In 1064, Harold had travelled to Normandy and sworn an oath on holy relics to support William’s claim to the throne.

Although Harold took an oath on holy relics, there was no proof that the oath was a promise to support William’s claim to throne. The Anglo-Saxons claimed that Harold went to negotiate the release of his brother and nephew (Wulfnoth and Hakon), who were William’s hostages.

Question 19

Militarily, what experience did William hold?

Answer 19

Very experienced

Surviving assassinations attempts since 7

Became an official knight at 15, constantly fighting in his teenage years

1047, battle of Val-ès-Dunes against Norman earls

Question 20

Why did Hadrada believe he had a claim to the throne?

Answer 20

His predecessor in Norway, Magnus, had made an agreement with Harthacnut, a previous Viking king of England. The agreement said that, if Harthacnut died before Magnus, then Magnus would succeed him as king of England. This had not happened, but as Magnus’ successor in Norway, Harald believed that the agreement extended to him.

Question 21

Militarily, why was Hadrada the most suited for the throne?

Answer 21

ifteen years in exile as a mercenary and military commander in Kievan Rus’ and in the Byzantine Empire

Question 22

From who did Hadrada have support from?

Answer 22

Tostig

England had been ruled by Vikings from 1016 to 1042. Many Anglo-Danes lived in England, and might welcome another Viking king.

Question 23

Who was the advisory council that supported the King?

Answer 23

Witan

Question 24

Why was Harold Godwinson’s Novissima Verba not reliable?

Answer 24

Bayeux Tapestry highlights only presence in the death bed of Edward the Confessor is a priest and Edith Godwinson, therefore can not prove it.

Question 25

Who do the Witan support?

Answer 25

Godwinson and Edgar

Question 26

Why is Harold Godwinson unsuited for the throne due to being a Godwin?

Answer 26

Godwin rebellion of 1951

Question 27

Who is William’s religious advisor?

Answer 27

Lanfranc