Norman England – Knowledge Organiser Topic 1: Conflict and Control A Topic Summary The Succession Crisis of 1066 1. England had a troubled History in the 50 years leading up to the succession crisis of 1066. Summary of England in the 11th Century • Edward was able to become king because the Vikings were 2. There were no clear rules in place for • England had rich mineral resources and fertile losing interest in England. succession to the English throne. farming land. • Edward was crowned king on 3rd April 1043. 3. Edward the Confessor had been a weak ruler. • England was a Christian (Catholic) country. • Norman influence: Edward had been sent to Normandy by his He increased Norman influence at court, which • Viking influence: In 1013 the Vikings invaded mother Emma when she married King Cnut. When he became frustrated the English Earls, and allowed the England and Canute became the first Viking king king he appointed Normans to important posts in his court as Godwins to increase their power. In 1051 the of England. The North of England kept close he felt he could trust them more than the English Earls. Godwins rebelled against Edward. Although links with Norway. Danegeld payments were However, he did marry Earl Godwin’s daughter Edith. Edward survived the rebellion, the Godwins kept made to Vikings to get them to leave. • The Witan did not like the Norman influence and encouraged their powerful position. By 1057, the Godwins • England was divided into four Earldoms: the Godwin family to return to England (after their exile). • controlled earldoms in every part of England Wessex, Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia. Edward was a weak ruler. He focused more on religion (he built Westminster Abbey. In the late 1050s Edward proclaimed except Mercia. • The Earls became the most powerful men in Harold Godwinson was proclaimed sub-regulus. 4. Of the four claimants to the throne in 1066 England after the king. Harold had the strongest position – being sub- The claimants to the throne in 1066 regulus (deputy king) and having the support of the Witan. However, he faced competition from Edgar Aetheling Harald Hardrada (The Viking) others who thought they had the right to be king Strengths Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses – in particular William, Duke of Normandy. • Was an experienced ruler • He settled disputes using 5. Harold was hurriedly crowned just one day after • Edward’s nearest blood • He was only 14 years of Norway force Edward’s death. The haste reflected how relative old in 1066 • A famous Viking warrior • His name means ‘hard insecure he felt. He knew he would face • His grandfather was • He had no money, • Had the support of Harold ruler’ and that was the challenges from other claimants. named successor in 1056 soldiers and no military Godwinson’s brother approach he took but died in 1057 experience (Tostig – former Earl of Rules of Inheritance in Anglo-Saxon England Northumbria who had been sacked by Harold). • Male inheritance - sons could inherit (usually but not always the first born) Harold Godwinson (Earl of Wessex) William, Duke of Normandy (The Norman) • Post Obitum = after death. A nomination by the Strengths Weaknesses Strengths Weaknesses old king or bequest (gift ). These promises were more important in Norman custom and could not • The strongest and richest • Attempted to overthrow • Distant cousin of Edward • Illegitimate son of be undone by Novissima Verba. man in England Edward in 1051 but • Promised the throne after Robert of Normandy– • Novissima Verba = decision made by the King • Acted as sub-regulus to failed helping Edward against the known as ‘William the Godwin rebellion on his deathbed. This decision was more Edward during the final • Sword an oath of • Harold Godwinson had bastard’. This made his important in English custom. years of his life allegiance to support visited Normandy in 1064 blood link to Edward • Witan = group of nobles and leading churchmen • Skillful military leader William’s claim to the and promised, under oath, to flawed. could suggest an heir • Edward asked Harold to English throne already support William’s claim to • Use of force – claimants could challenge each become king on his the throne. other for the throne. deathbed (Novissima • Proved himself to be a capable ruler in Normandy • Sub-regulus = deputy king could have a claim to Verba). the throne.