How did Edward’s death cause problems? Starter: What is the story behind this scene? Challenge: Why might this not be the most reliable of sources? Harold is swearing on holy relics to support William’s claim to the English throne.

The Death of Edward the Confessor On 5th January 1066, Edward the Confessor died at the age of 55. Rumoured to have died a virgin; he had no heir. There would now be a succession crisis Sources report that on his deathbed, Edward said to Harold Godwinson: “I commend this woman with all the kingdom to your protection” It was now up to the Witan to choose the next Anglo-Saxon King of England – problem was that 4 people had a claim!

Learning Tasks All Split your page into a quad – in each section explain the strengths and weaknesses of each person’s claim. Use pp.26-27 to help. Harold Godwinson Harald Hardrada William, Duke of Normandy Edgar Aethling Target 9-7 ‘By 1066, Harold had already been king in all but name. He was by far the best candidate to rule the kingdom’ – find evidence to support this claim Target 6-4 Explain how Harold had a better claim that William, Duke of Normandy. Top tip: compare both claims. Target 3-2 Who do you believe had the better claim? Explain your answer with precise evidence.

Duke William justified his claim through his blood relationship with Edward the Confessor (they were distant cousins) William strengthened this claim by stating that Edward the Confessor had designated him as his successor in 1051. William claimed Harold Godwinson had sworn a sacred oath of allegiance to him and to his right to the throne When Harold broke the oath William received religious and political backing from Rome to start a Holy Crusade against Harold who the Pope had excommunicated!

Harold Godwinson asserted that he had been chosen by Edward the Confessor to be the next King of England When King Edward the Confessor lay dying his wife Edith and Harold Godwinson were at his bedside. According to Harold, King Edward's dying words were:  "I commend my wife and all my kingdom to your care“ Harold insisted that he had been tricked into taking the sacred oath of allegiance he had made to Duke William. And that he was not told that he was swearing the pledge on sacred religious relics - in his view he had been duped and owed the Norman Duke no allegiance and refuted his claim to the English throne The rightful heir to the throne of England was Edgar the Aetheling, the grandson of Edmund Ironside but he was only a ten year old boy and deemed too young to control the turbulent English realm The Witan (a council consisting of 60 of England's most powerful nobles) offered the crown to Harold in preference to all other contenders Harold Godwinson was an Anglo-Saxon!

In 1016 the Viking King Canute became King of England, Denmark and Norway. He ruled until 1035 King Canute was succeeded by Hardicanute who ruled England until 1042 King Hardicanute had no heir and promised the English throne to King Magnus of Norway The Saxon, Edward the Confessor, seized the English throne in 1042 King Magnus of Norway was too old to battle Edward the Confessor for the English throne Magnus's son and heir was Hardrada The Viking Hardrada's claim to the English throne Hardrada asserted that he, as Magnus's son and heir, was the rightful ruler of England due to the agreement between his father and Hardicanute the Danish ruler of England

Edgar the Aetheling's claim to the throne of England was based on a strong blood tie with the Anglo Saxon Kings of England He was the grandson of Edmund Ironside He was a direct descendent of Alfred the Great - the most respected of all Anglo-Saxon Kings Edgar the Aetheling's claim to the English throne Edgar the Aetheling was the rightful heir to Edward the Confessor and should have been crowned King of England But he was only ten years old when Edward the Confessor died He did not have the wealth, power or strength of Harold Godwinson He did not have the support of the Witan (the English council which consisted of 60 of the most powerful nobles in England) Edgar the Aetheling was not considered strong enough to hold the throne and defend the realm from the Normans and the Vikings He did not stand a chance against the might of Harold Godwinson