Battle Of Hastings - what caused it

Question 0

What happened on January 5th 1066?

Answer 0

King Edward died.

Question 1

In what year did Battle of Hastings take place?

Answer 1

1066

Question 2

After King Edward died, why were there lots of men who thought they should be the new King of England?

Answer 2

King Edward didn’t have a son, so there was no natural successor to take over as king.

Question 3

Give 5 facts about Harold Godwinson

Answer 3

1 He was a powerful land-owner
2 He was also called the Earl of Wessex
3 He was King Edward's brother in law
4 He caused King Edward lots of problems
5 He was known as the 'under-king' when Edward was alive

Question 4

Which 3 men thought they should be the new King of England after Edward died?

Answer 4

Harold Godwinson (Earl of Wessex)
Harald Hardraada (King of Norway)
William (Duke of Normandy) who later became known as William The Conqueror.

Question 5

Why did King Edward promise the throne to William?

Answer 5

As a reward for William helping him to deal with the problems caused by Harold Godwinson, and the Vikings from Norway, and for letting him stay in France when Norway invaded England in 1016.

Question 6

Who was angry that King Edward had promised the throne to William, Duke of Normandy?

Answer 6

Harold Godwinson was angry. He thought he should be the next king.

Question 7

What relation was William, Duke of Normandy, to King Edward?

Answer 7

They were cousins.

Question 8

Why did Harold Godwinson think he should be king?

Answer 8

He was Edward’s brother in law.
He was English, unlike William (French) and Harald (Norwegian).
He already controlled a large part of England (Wessex).
He was known as the ‘under-king’.
He had the support of the nobles, The Witan, who appointed him king on Edward’s death.

Question 9

Who did the English nobles, called The Witan, elect as king when Edward died?

Answer 9

Harold Godwinson

Question 10

Why did Harald Hardraada, King of Norway, think he should be the next king of England?

Answer 10

Because his grandfather had been king of England before Edward. And because Norwegian kings had ruled England until 1042 when Edward stole the throne from them.

Question 11

What did Harold Hardraada do after Harold Godwinson had been elected king by the English nobles?

Answer 11

He brought an army to England and fought Harold Godwinson’s army at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Question 12

When was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Answer 12

September 1066.

Question 13

Who was the Battle of Stamford Bridge between?

Answer 13

Harold Godwinson (Earl of Wessex) and Harold Hardraada (King of Norway).

Question 14

Which City in England is near to where the Battle of Stamford Bridge took place?

Answer 14

York, in the north of England.

Question 15

Who won the Battle of Stamford Bridge?

Answer 15

Harold Godwinson and his army, beat Harold Hardraada.

Question 16

What happened when Harold Godwinson defeated Harold Hardraada at Stamford Bridge in the north of England?

Answer 16

William and his army landed on the south coast of England. Harold and his army, who were already tired from fighting Harald Hardraada, had to march hundreds of miles south to get to William.

Question 17

Where on the south coast of England did William’s army land?

Answer 17

Pevensey.

Question 18

Why did William have an advantage over Harold before the Battle of Hastings?

Answer 18

William’s army was well rested and well fed so were ready for battle. Harold’s army was tired and hungry after marching hundreds of miles down from Stamford Bridge near York.

Question 19

What date did the Battle of Hastings start?

Answer 19

October 14th 1066.

Question 20

Which TWO battles took place in 1066?

Answer 20

Battle of Stamford Bridge - between Harold Godwinson and Harald Hardraada; Battle of Hastings - between Harold Godwinson and William Duke of Normandy.

Question 21

Why was Harold Godwinson powerful?

Answer 21

Because he controlled Wessex, a huge area of land in the west of England.

Question 22

What was The Witan?

Answer 22

A group of important English nobles, a bit like parliament. The Witan chose Harold as king when Edward died.

Question 23

Did Harold show himself to be a good king?

Answer 23

Yes. When he became king he immediately got rid of bad laws and made new good laws. He was religious. He was tough with law-breakers.

Question 24

Who made an oath that he would support William as King of England?

Answer 24

Harold Godwinson made the oath, but later said it didn’t count because he had been forced to make it.

Question 25

Whose grandfather had been King of England before Edward?

Answer 25

Harald Hardraada’s grandfather.

Question 26

Why did William, Duke of Normandy, think he should be king of England?

Answer 26

He and Edward were closest relatives (cousins).
Edward had promised him the throne in return for help William had given.
Harold Godwinson had sworn an oath supporting William.

Question 27

How did Harold Godwinson die?

Answer 27

He got shot in the eye by an arrow.