Norman England - Part One - Claimants and Battles Flashcards
Edward the Confessor
Edward Confessor’s Reign
- English king from 1042 -> 1066
- dies on 5th january 1066
- devout christian -> was celibate -> died childless
- married to Edith Godwin
- largley stable + peaceful reign
also may not of had children due to his dislike of father-in-law earl go
Edward relations - Godwins
Edward Confessor’s Reign
- earl godwin - most powerful anglo-saxon nobel (controlled wessex)
- Edward relied of Earl Godwins military
- Godwin was exiled after refusing to follow orders
- was reinstated and increased the earls power + land
- in mid 1060s they were highly powerful and advised edward.
- edward married earl godwins daughter Edith
Harold Godwinson took over as earl of wessex in 1053
Edward relations - Normany
Edward Confessor’s Reign
- norman mother (emma of normandy)
- spent early life in normandy (in exile)
- on becoming king made his closest advisors norman (-> this angered people like earl godwinson)
Edgar Aethling - Strenghts
Claimants to the Throne
- nearest blood relative of Edward (great newphew)
- edgars father (edward the exile) was named successor by king in 1056
- had ived with edward the confessor
- was anglo-saxon -> had earl support
Edgar Aethling - Weaknesses
Claimants to the Throne
- was 14
- no military + money + experinces
Harald Hardrada - Strenghts
Claimants to the Throne
- King of Norway for 20 years (had military experince + was seasoned warrior + had control of his land)
- Had support of Harold Godwinsons brother tostig (who offered Harald northern englands support)
- had support of the scandinavian north
- Related to king cnut (1016->1035)
- Haralds father (Magnus) had been promised throne by Cnuts son (harthacnut)
Harald Hardrada - weaknesses
Claimants to the Throne
- no direct blood tied
- had already been denies throne once (by edward confessor)
Harold Godwinson - strenghts
Claimants to the Throne
- most important earl in england (wessex)
- brother in law with Edward
- richest man in england
- good military leader
- subregulus - ran england for edward + represented him in battles (from 1060)
- Alledged that edward promised him throne on death bed (post-obitum)
- english noble supported
- loyal follower of edward (not like his father)
**- was choosen by the witan to be king **
post-obitum - ‘after death’
subregulus - deputy king
Harold Godwinson - Weaknesses
Claimants to the Throne
- no blood relation
- alledgedly swore to william of normany that he would support his claim to the throne (he claims this was sworn as a prisoner under death threat so not binding)
William of Normandy - Strengths
Claimants to the Throne
- Succsessful + brutal warrior
- distant cousin of edward (via emma of normandy)
- Claims edward promised him the throne after he helped edward when the godwinsons rebelled
- harold godwinson had supported his claim (in 1064)
- wessex + normandy were allies
- had support of the pope
William of Normandy - weaknesses
Claimants to the Throne
- his claim from godwinson was invalid
- didnt have english support
Options for Succsession
Claimants to the Throne
- dying words were most important (english)
- earlier promises were final (norman)
- witan could choose
- son of king OR male relative of the king
- claimants could challenge eachother and the sucsessful claimant was crowned
witan - council made of nobles + leading churchmen
Witan - Choice
Claimants to the Throne
- choose harold godwinson
- had proven a strong leader + diplomatic
- best choice for keeping england peaceful (prioirty)
- edgar was too young
Harold - actions after crowing
Claimants to the Throne
- marched south to prepare for williams invasion
- left rest of army with edwin and morcar (brothers in law)
- was immediatly aware of the competion hed recieve
When. Where. Defenders + Invaders. Outline + Outcome
Fulford Gate
Battles
when - 20th september 1066
where - fulford (outside of york)
invaders - Harald Hardrada + tostig (harolds brother) + 7000 viking soldiers + 300 ships
defenders - Edwin + Morcar (anglo-saxon earls) + 3500 English northern army.
outline - viking army had superior army numbers
outcome - Both sides had many losses + Edwin and Morcar had to flee, northern army was disorganized.