Who should be King?

The year is 1066 and England has no King! Edward the Confessor, a Saxon King,
had died and left no children.

After the Romans left in 410AD many different people had ruled England, including
Saxons and Vikings. This meant that many different leaders believed that they should
be the next King.

When Edward died there were four different people who believed that they were the
true ruler of England.

William of Normandy
Harold Godwinson The Witan did not want him to be
He was a good warrior King.
He helped Edward to rule the William was a Norman, not a
England since the 1050’s so was an Saxon.
experience leader. He was an excellent soldier
Edward had chosen Harold to He had run Normandy since he
succeed him, was 8!
he had been chosen by the Witan.
He married Edward’s sister who was
a member of the Saxon Royal family
so he was too.

Edgar Atheling
He was Edward the Confessor’s
nephew and therefore a Saxon
Royal.
But when Edward died Edgar
was only 14 years old and not
experienced.
Harold Hardraada He was not well known in
He was a Viking not a Saxon England. He was however, the
He was King of Norway and closest living relative of
often at war with other Edward.
countries.
He was a very experienced
fighter.