King Edwards World

The accession of Edward the Confessor in 1042 saw the

end of Danish rule in England. However, his reign was
marred by growing tensions between the pro-Norman
court and the Anglo-Saxon earls the native
powerbrokers. Their squabbles threatened to undermine
the stability of the realm. Yet, advances made in the royal
administration highlighted an increasingly powerful and
wealthy monarchy.
Despite the best efforts of Queen Emma, Edwards mother, his
kingship was not unchallenged. Until 1047, there was an everpresent danger of invasion by King Magnus of Norway, Magnus ha
overthrown Svein Estrithson, the King of Denmark in 1047, raising
the prospect of turning the resources of the two kingdoms against
England. This threat receded with the death of Magnus soon after.
In 1045, Edwards marriage to Edith, the daughter of Earl Godwin,
was symbolic of the internal challenges he faced. Most of the
native magnates, both among the nobility and clergy, had power
bases more secure than his own. Earl Godwin was the strongest
among them and probably the richest man in the country. The
influential pro-Norman party in Edwards entourage
counterbalanced his, also symbolizing his Norman heritage as the
grandson of Duke Richard the Fearless.
Struggle for power
Hidden tension surfaced over the archbishopric of Canterbury in
1051, Earl Godwins partisans sought to have their candidate
elected to Canterbury. Instead, Edward appointed one of his own
Norman supporters, Robert of Jumieges who had been the Bishop
of London. Seeing his position threatened, Earl Godwin began to
seek allies elsewhere. The marriage of his son, Tostig to Judith,
daughter of Baldwin, the Count of Flanders, saw the start of a
strong alliance against Edward.

Earl Goldwin was briefly exiled to Baldwins court in 1051,

following accusations of insubordination against the King. The
following year Godwin returned to England with a strong force,
inducing Edward to pardon him. Subsequently Archbishop Robert
of Jumieges, who had been appointed by Edward, was
unceremoniously removed from the see of Canterbury and
replaced by Stigand, a former royal chaplain, loyal to Earl Godwin.
In 1055, Earl Died and was succeeded in the earldom of Wessex
by his son Harold.
Although the kingdom was largely peaceful for the next 12 years,
Edward embarked on two military campaigns. The first was
against Scotland in 1054, when Earl Siward of Northumbria
supported Malcom III of Scotlands successful bid to seize the
Scottish throne from Macbeth, the reigning king. The other,
between 1055 and 1062, was against Guffydd ap Llywelun, the
King of Wales.