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The Succession Crisis of 1066 1

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The Succession Crisis of 1066 1 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). • Son of the King 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 in their will). These promises were more important in Norman custom • The strongest and richest • Attempted to overthrow • Distant cousin of Edward • Illegitimate son of and could not 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 • Sub-regulus = deputy king could have a claim to become king on his the throne. the throne. deathbed (Novissima • Proved himself to be a capable ruler in Normandy • Use of force – claimants could challenge each Verba). other for the throne. TopicBackground Why did William win the Battle of Hastings? Before the Battle 1. Harold Godwinson became king 1) Harald Hardrada staged his invasion at the Anglo-Saxon Earls (Edwin and when Edward died, but he knew that he very time Harold Godwinson had disbanded Morcar) 7) Hardrada and the Vikings won but both was likely to face challenges. the Fyrd so they could harvest their crops. Vs sides suffered losses. The English Harald Hardrada and the Vikings northern army was disorganized and 2. When William heard of Harold's (and Tostig) scattered. Edwin and Morcar fled. coronation, he sent messengers to ask 2) Hardrada sailed up the River Humber Harold to honour his oath to support with 300 ships and 7000 Viking soldiers. William’s claim. Harold ignored the He landed 10 miles from the city of York. The Battle of Fulford Gate 5) The English won an early advantage as only a messengers but prepared for invasion. few of the Vikings had arrived at the battlefield. 3) Edwin and Morcar were waiting with As the battle continued more Vikings arrived 3. Harold quickly assembled a navy the northern army (3500 men) to prevent 4) On 20th September 1066 the and eventually overwhelmed the Saxon forces. after demanding ships and seaman the Vikings from advancing to York. armies met at Fulford Gate from around the country. As king he (outside of York) had a loyal band of professional soldiers (the HOUSECARLS) but he The Battle of Stamford Bridge also called on his THEGNS (lords) to 25th September 1066 Harold Godwinson Vs Harald Harada 7) Hardrada and Tostig were both fight with him and bring the FYRD killed. Harold Godwinson won (peasants who could be called up to convincingly and dealt with one fight when needed). Harold’s assembled 1) The English has just lost against the Viking The Battle of of the twin threats he faced. forces gathered to defend the south- army at the Battle of Fulford Gate. This loss Stamford However, he could not enjoy the coast. However, William did not arrive meant Harold Godwinson had to move Bridge victory. Three days later (at least, not yet). quickly to deal with the Viking threat. Godwinson was told William hand landed in the south of 4. Harold’s first threat came from England Tostig (his brother) who supported 2) Godwinson marched north with Hardrada’s claim. Tostig raided towns his private army of housecarls (he along the Sussex coast (South) until he had disbanded his southern army on 6) A lone Viking warrior th was scared off by the threat of Harold’s 8 September). However, he defended the bridge until he army. He fled to Scotland to wait for gathered forces as he went. was killed by the Saxons. Hardrada. 5. Harold Godwinson is forced to 3) The Saxon army marched 190 5) Fighting was brutal and lasted th disband his army on 8 September miles to York in four days, taking most of the day. One 1066 after a 3 month wait for William’s the Viking army by surprise on the contemporary source referred to invasion. His timing could not have 25th September 1066. ‘rivers of blood’ after the battle. been worse. A few days later, William moved his invasion fleet further up the 4) The Vikings had not expected Harold to reach York so quickly. The Vikings were camped on the coast to gain a favourable wind. At the opposite side of the River Derwent and had not defended the bridge properly. Many Vikings were in same time, Tostig and Hardrada were scattered locations, some with little or no armour. sailing from Scotland to invade the North of England. Why did William win the Battle of Hastings? The Battle Itself Timeline of William’s / Harold’s King Harold and the Anglo-Saxons Weapons and Tactics Duke William and the Normans actions before the Battle of Soldiers – 7,000 Soldiers – 7,000 Hastings… Types – Fyrd, Housecarls and Thegns Types – Trained mercenaries from Europe Weaponry – Double-handed axe, pikes and and Knights on war horses 11th August 1066 – Duke William is circular shields Weaponry – Bows, tear-shaped shields, prepared and ready to invade but Tactic – Shield wall formation, soldiers on pikes, armour, cavalry weather delays his plans for invasion foot (infantry), King Harold fought Tactic – Various – infantry, archers, troops alongside his men = DEFENSIVE organized in divisions, flags used to Position – top of Senlac Hill communicate (gonfanon) = OFFENSIVE th 28 September 1066 – William lands at Events before the battle – King Harold Position – base of Senlac Hill (chosen) Pevensey. He had moved his troops up had marched his army north in four days to Events before the battle – Duke William the coast to the mouth of the River face Harald Hardrada. He then marched the had secure base with castle erected at Somme for an easier crossing. remains of his army south, reaching Pevensey, arrived at Hastings several days Hastings on 13th October. His army are before battle commenced. Plenty of horses 29th September 1066 onwards – Duke exhausted. and supplies. William orders his troops to attack Support – Witan, his brothers and the Support – young King Philip in France and villages on the South coast. This was to English Earls the Papal Banner (from the Pope) provoke Harold into a conflict. The story of the Battle of Hastings… The Norman archers At midday there was a 6th October 1066 – King Harold and the The Normans ran away Wiliam ordered the The shield wall was and cavalry attacked and were chased by the break from the fighting.
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