Edwards death + the throne Flashcards
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1
Q
Who was Edward the Confessor?
A
- King of England from 1042 – 1066.
- First English king after 25 years of Danish rule.
- Father was King Ethelred the Unready.
- Mother was Emma of Normandy.
- Married Edith Godwin.
- Died without having any children of his own to be an heir to the throne.
2
Q
Who were the four claimers to the throne?
A
- Harold Godwinson: Earl of Wessex
- William: Duke of Normandy
- Harald Hardrada: King of Norway
- Edgar Atheling: Great-nephew of Edward
3
Q
Why was Harold Godwinson a claimer to the throne?
A
- He was the Earl with the most power
- He was Edward’s brother-in-law, but no blood connection
- Edward probably promised Harold the throne some point after 1053.
- He had control over all of Southern England. He was recognised as being the most powerful man in England after Edward’s death. In Edward’s last years, he left a lot of the running of the kingdom to the nobles, particularly Harold Godwinson.
4
Q
Why was William a claimer to the throne?
A
- He was a cousin of Edward the Confessor
- William claimed that Edward had promised that he should succeed him as King of England.
- William was an ambitious and powerful ruler in Normandy. He wanted to build up his power.
5
Q
Why was Harald Hardrada a claimer to the throne?
A
- Harald had no blood ties to the English royal families.
- In 1066 Tostig Godwinson invited Harald to join him in rebelling against his brother Harold Godwinson to secure the English throne
- Harald was a famous Viking warrior and skilled commander. He already had secure control over his own land.
6
Q
Why was Edgar Atheling a claimer to the throne?
A
- He was the great-nephew of Edward the Confessor and was the last Anglo-Saxon prince alive after his father was killed in 1057.
- In 1057 it seems possible that Edward wanted an Anglo-Saxon prince to succeed him.
- Even though Edgar was the closest blood relative to Edward, he was only a teenager when Edward died. He was not strong enough in 1066.
7
Q
Who was the best claimer to the throne?
A
- Harold Godwinson’s claim is strongest because he was promised the throne as Edward lay dying. But the oath Harold swore to William was invalid because it was made under the threat of death.
- Edgar Atheling had the strongest family ties as he was the last surviving member of the Royal House of Wessex that had ruled England for centuries.
8
Q
Why was Harold Godwinson chose to be King?
A
- The Witan believed that Harold was the best person to defend England against threats.
- Harold had proved himself to be a strong leader with great military.
