The Rival Claimants What do I need to know:

 to reasons for their claims to the •

Key Words:
Aethling
throne. • Bayeux Tapestry
In 1066, Edward was seriously ill but a  Strengths and weaknesses of claims. • Sub-regulus
succession crisis was just around the corner. • Novissima verba
• Post obitum
Edgar the Outlaw Harald Hardrada: The Viking Warrior. There were 4 men who believed they had a • Witan
(Aethling) (c1015-1066) right to be the next king of England. Edward
(c1051-1126) • Harald was the King of Norway and was 62 when he died but had no heir.
• The nearest relative had ruled for 20 years.
and the great nephew. • He was a seasoned warrior Harald Godwinson: (c1022-1066) William, Duke of Normandy.
• Only 14 years old. • He was the leader of the famous • He was the most important earl n (c1028-1087)
• He had no money, no Varangian Guard England as the EARL OF WESSEX. • William took over as Duke of Normandy at the
soldiers and no military • His name means ‘hard ruler.’ • He was not a blood relation but he was age of 7 and faced many attempts against his
experiences. • He had the support of Harold the King’s brother in law as he was
life in this position.
• His grandfather, Godwinson's brother Tostig. married to his sister Edith.
• William was a successful and brutal warrior.
Edmund Ironside, was • Tostig flattered Hardrada and • The Godwins had tried and failed to
overthrow Edward in 1051. • In 1047, William and his army won the battle
Edward’s half-brother. offered him the support of the
• They were exiled but dominated the of Val-es-Dunes and cut off the heads and feet
• Edmunds son, Edward north of England.
the Exile had been • Many people in the North were Witan so they were allowed to return to of his enemies after they made a comment
named as successor by Scandinavian and so felt they England just a year later. about his mother.
Edward the Confessor should support him • Harold inherited his father’s earldom in • He was a distant cousin of Edward through
in 1056. • He was a powerful Viking with a 1053. Edward’s mother, Emma.
• But he had died after large and successful army. • He was the richest man in England. • William claimed that Edward had promised
his return to England in • He was related to King Cnut who • He was a skilful military leader. him the throne earlier in his reign.
1057. reigned from 1016 to 1035. • He was the Sub-regulus’ a deputy king • In 1051, the Godwins rebelled against Edward,
• Edgar and his sister had • His claim was that, as Edward had who ran England for Edward and
and William travelled to England to give his
lived with Edward and no sons a relative of the previous represented him in battle from 1060
support to Edward and as a result Edward
his wife Edith, since king should be chosen. onwards.
• Harold said that Edward had promised promised him the throne.
they were small • It was said that Hardrada’s father
Magnus had been promised the him the throne on his deathbed • William said Harold Godwinson had sworn to
children.
• Edgar was an Anglo- throne by Cnut’s son, Harthacnut. • He had the support of the Witan. support his claim to the throne in 1064.
Saxon had the support • Edward had claimed the throne, • He had support of the English Nobles. • Wessex and Normandy had been allies since
of many earls. throwing Hardrada aside. • William of Normandy alleged that 988. They were natural trading partners and
Harold had earlier sworn him a sacred helped each other when facing threats such as
The Succession Crisis in 1066: oath of fealty to support his own claim the Vikings.
• England had a troubled history in the 50 years leading up to the succession crisis of 1066. to the throne.
• There were no clear rules in place for succession to the English throne. • This relationship had the blessing of the Pope.
• Harold did not deny making the oath but • William had proved himself a capable ruler of
• Edward the Confessor had been a weak ruler. He increased Norman influence at court
he said he only swore it as he was a
and allowed the Godwin’s to increase their power. Normandy and hoped to expand his power
prisoner by William and his life was
• Harold was hurriedly crowned just one day after Edward’s death. The haste reflected into England.
threatened so it wasn’t binding.
how insecure he felt. He knew he would face challenges form the other claimants.