1066 Who Will Be King? t is the year The King Edward the Confessor has died. He has left no heir. England faces a crisis there is no clear candidate for king. Your Task. You are a member of the Council called the Witan it is your job to chose a new king.

Contenders Contender Number 1 Contender Number 2 Contender Number 3

Hello, Number 1 What’s your name and where do you come from? No.1 : My Name’s Harald and I’m from Norway

Hello, Number 2 What’s your name and where do you come from? No.2 : My Name’s William and I’m from Normandy

Hello, Number 3 What’s your name and where do you come from? No.3 : My Name’s Harold and I’m from Wessex

Key Questions: In your groups write a fact-file about each contender and include: General info (name, where from) Why does this contender want to be King and why does he think he should be king? What does this contender have in their favour? Would this contender face any problems in becoming King?

Ethelred :Hello everyone, I represent the people of England and I’ve got three lovely questions for you Question Number 1 Question 1 Who said that you should become King?

Question to Number 3 King Edward promised that I would be King just before he died. Edward would want the crown to go to the most powerful Anglo- Saxon in England. Harold of Wessex

Question to Number 2 Edward actually promised that I would be King in Even Harold from Wessex promised that I should be King. Number 3 is a liar! Choose me, not him! William Of Normandy

Question to Number 1 No-one promised I should be King. They didn’t have the right! As King of Norway I should be King of England, like my ancestor King Canute! Harald Hardrada

Ethelred :Question 2 Who are your friends and allies? Question Number 2

Question to Number 1 I have an alliance with the King of Scotland and the support of Harold’s brother Tosti. As King of Norway I would get a lot of support from the Vikings who live in the north. Harald Hardrada

Question to Number 3 The Witan, a meeting made up of all the most powerful people in England elected me to be King. Everyone who matters in England is my friend and ally. Harold of Wessex

Question to Number 2 God and the Pope are my allies and you don’t get better than that! The Pope has given me his banner to fight against that liar Harold. William Of Normandy

Ethelred :Question 3 I’m worried about my land. Would you take my land off me if you were to become King? Question Number 3

Question to Number 2 You might get to keep your land if you vote for me and I don’t have to fight. If I have to fight for the throne I’ll have to pay my army with your land! William Of Normandy

Question to Number 1 My supporters have plenty of land back in Norway and Denmark. As long as you pay me lots of lovely taxes I will leave your land alone. Harald Hardrada

Question to Number 3 I’m the biggest landowner in England. I don’t have to pay for my army with taxes or land. My supporters already own them! Harold of Wessex

Will it be Number 1? He’s the popular Viking who just wants your taxes. He’s the true heir of Canute and thinks Edward was a fake. His support comes from the North and he’s not afraid of a fight. Harald Hardrada

Will it be Number 2? He’s the holy Norman with support from the Pope. He’s says everyone’s promised him the throne, even Harold from Wessex. Look out, he might just take your land if your not careful! William Of Normandy

Will it be Number 3? He’s the local boy made good who is popular throughout England. He says he is Edward’s rightful heir. However, can you believe a word he says? Harold of Wessex

Number 1 No-one promised I should be King. They didn’t have the right! As King of Norway I should be King of England, like my ancestor King Canute! Harald Hardrada

Number 1 I have an alliance with the King of Scotland and the support of Harold’s brother Tosti. As King of Norway I would get a lot of support from the Vikings who live in the north. Harald Hardrada

Number 1 My supporters have plenty of land back in Norway and Denmark. As long as you pay me lots of lovely taxes I will leave your land alone. Harald Hardrada

Will it be Number 1? He’s the popular Viking who just wants your taxes. He’s the true heir of Canute and thinks Edward was a fake. His support come in the North and he’s not afraid of a fight. Harald Hardrada

Number 2 Edward actually promised that I would be King in Even Harold from Wessex promised. that I should be King Number 3 is a liar! Choose me, not him! William Of Normandy

Number 2 God and the Pope are my allies and you don’t get better than that! The Pope has given me his banner to fight against that liar Harold. William Of Normandy

Number 2 You might get to keep your land if you vote for me and I don’t have to fight. If I have to fight for the throne I’ll have to pay my army with your land! William Of Normandy

Will it be Number 2? He’s the holy Norman with support from the Pope. He’s says everyone’s promised him the throne, even Harold from Wessex. Look out, he might just take your land if your not careful! William Of Normandy

Number 3 King Edward promised that I would be King just before he died. Edward would want the crown to go to the most powerful Anglo- Saxon in England. Harold of Wessex

Number 3 The Witan, a meeting made up of all the most powerful people in England elected me to be King. Everyone who matters in England is my friend and ally. Harold of Wessex

Number 3 I’m the biggest landowner in England. I don’t have to pay for my army with taxes or land. My supporters already own them! Harold of Wessex

Will it be Number 3? He’s the local boy made good who is popular throughout England. He says he is Edward’s rightful heir. However, can you believe a word he says? Harold of Wessex