rival claimants to the throne Flashcards
What claim did Edgar Æthling have to the throne?
Royal blood - he was Edward the Confessor’s nephew.
What support did Edgar Æthling for gaining the throne? What were his chances of success as a result?
He lacked support from the English nobility, as they wanted a strong warrior king
His chances of success as a result were extremely weak
What claim did Harald Hardrada have to the throne? How strong was this claim?
His claim was based on military might and links to old Danish kings (e.g. Cnut). He was probably swayed to make a claim by Tostig.
His claim, in itself, was quite weak - the north might agree (due to being ruled by Danes in the past - Danelaw)
What was Harald Hardrada’s chance of success for gaining the throne?
Quite good - he had 15 000 warriors and 300 Viking long ships to use at his command
What claim did William of Normandy have to the throne? How strong was his claim and why?
He was a smart warrior who defended his lands for years
He claimed Edward had promised him the throne in 1051, and that Harold had confirmed this in 1064
The Pope supported William’s claim
Quite strong - the Pope supported him, and Harold clearly saw him as a threat - once he was coronated, he brought the southern fyrd together
What was William’s chance of success for gaining the throne?
Quite good: large army, and had what he saw as a strong claim to the throne
When was the Battle of Gate Fulford?
September 20th, 1066
Who won at Gate Fulford?
The Viking invaders
Explain the reasons for the Anglo-Saxon defeat at the Battle of Gate Fulford in 1066.
Numerical Disadvantage
The Anglo-Saxon forces, led by Morcar and Edwin, were significantly outnumbered by the Viking army. Hardrada’s army was well-trained and experienced, with a strong naval presence,
The Saxons were caught off guard and did not anticipate the Viking tactics. The Vikings were able to trap the Saxons against the River Ouse, limiting their movement and ability to escape or reorganize.
What did York do as a result of the Battle of Gate Fulford?
York surrendered to Tostig and Hardrada, who demanded hostages from the English
When was the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
Which were the two sides at Stamford Bridge?
September 25th, 1066
The Vikings (Hardrada + Tostig)
Harold Godwinson
why did Harold win the battle of Stamford bridge
!)Surprise Attack
Harold’s army took the Viking forces by surprise. Harald Hardrada’s army was not expecting an immediate counterattack after their victory at Gate Fulford just days earlier. The Vikings were unprepared, and this gave Harold’s forces an initial advantage.
- Viking Disorganization
The Viking army had been resting and celebrating their victory at Gate Fulford, and many of the Vikings were without their armor or not fully prepared for battle. This meant they were caught off guard when Harold’s army arrived unexpectedly.
3)The Death of Harald Hardrada
During the battle, Harald Hardrada was killed, which severely weakened the Viking forces. The death of their leader, combined with the disarray of their army, led to a collapse in morale and left them unable to mount an effective resistance.
Viking Reinforcements Were Delayed
4The Viking reinforcements, led by Tostig Godwinson (Harold’s brother), were late to arrive and did not make much of an impact on the outcome of the battle. This further weakened the Vikings’ position and allowed Harold’s forces to secure victory.
