Norman Conquest

Question 1

Who killed Aethelred and ruled over England from 1016-1035?

Answer 1

Cnut

Question 2

Where did Aethelred’s family go when he was killed?

Answer 2

Emma and her sons escaped to Normandy where they were protected by Richard, Duke of Normandy

Question 3

What happened to Emma and her sons when they escaped to Normandy?

Answer 3

Richard raised her sons but forced her to marry Cnut

Question 4

What were the four earldoms of England?

Answer 4

Wessex, Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia

Question 5

Which Earl was the most powerful?

Answer 5

Earl of Wessex

Question 6

Which king invited Edward back to England?

Answer 6

Harthacnut

Question 7

When did Edward become king?

Answer 7

1042

Question 8

Who did Edward marry?

Answer 8

Earl Godwin’s daughter

Question 9

Population of England before 1066

Answer 9

~2m

Question 10

Number of house calls before 1066

Answer 10

2500-3000

Question 11

Why was Earl Godwin exiled from England?

Answer 11

He was unhappy with the king’s favouritism to his Norman friends

Question 12

What happened when Godwin returned to England?

Answer 12

His forces met Edward’s, and although his were bigger he agreed to apologise

Question 13

What happened following Godwin’s apology?

Answer 13

Edward reinstated the Earls, their land and their power and the Godwins’ power increased

Question 14

Who succeeded Earl Godwin as the Earl of Wessex

Answer 14

Harold Godwinson

Question 15

Who were the four rivals for the throne in 1066?

Answer 15

Edgar the Aetheling
Harald Hardrada
Harold Godwinson
William, Duke of Normandy

Question 16

Edgar the Aetheling

Answer 16

Edward’s great nephew
His father was named successor but died suspiciously
Anglo-Saxon

Question 17

Harald Hardrada

Answer 17

Powerful and experienced

Cnut promised his father the throne

Question 18

Harold Godwinson

Answer 18

Edward was married to his sister
Claimed that Edward named him successor on his deathbed
Was Edward’s advisor

Question 19

William, Duke of Normandy

Answer 19

Edward grew up around him and knew him well
Edward’s distant cousin
Pope supported him
Claimed that Edward promised him the throne

Question 20

Anglo-Saxon rules of inheritance

Answer 20

Family ties
Post obitum
Novissima Verba
The Witan
Use of force

Question 21

Family ties (for inheritance of throne)

Answer 21

A son of the King could inherit throne (not necessarily oldest)
If a King had no sons then a male relative of a previous king could be chosen instead

Question 22

Post obitum

Answer 22

A king could nominate or bequeath his throne to someone in the event of his death

Question 23

Novissima Verba

Answer 23

A king might nominate his successor on his deathbed

Question 24

The Witan

Answer 24

A group of leading nobles and churchmen could either suggest an heir or support the king’s own choice

Question 25

Use of force

Answer 25

Claimants could challenge each other for throne

Question 26

Edgar’s claim to throne

Answer 26

Closest blood tie

Treated as Edward’s adopted son and many people thought of him as such

Question 27

Hardrada’s claim to the throne

Answer 27

Related to Cnut
Harthacnut promised his father the throne but he died and Edward succeeded Harthacnut
Powerful Viking with large and successful army

Question 28

Godwinson’s claim to the throne

Answer 28

Edward’s brother-in-law
Claimed that Edward promised him the throne on his deathbed
Supported by all England nobles except his brother Tostig
Had support of Witan
Deputy of King who ran England for Edward and represented him in battle from 1060 onwards
Most important Earl

Question 29

William’s claim to the throne

Answer 29

Distant cousin of Edward through his mother Emma
Claimed that Edward promised him the throne after he helped him against the rebelling Godwins
Claimed that Edward swore to support his claim in 1064
Supported by Pope
Successful and brutal warrior