Claim to the English Throne in 1066
A short summary of the fight for the English throne in 1066.
Harald Hardrada, Harold Godwin and William of Normandy all believed they had a claim to the English throne. It is questionable whether Harald Hardrada had a justifiable claim this will be explored in detail below.
In 1066 King Edward the Confessor died childless leaving England without an Heir. Harald Hardrada claim was based on his Viking heritage. Harold Godwin claim was based on coming from a powerful English family and William of Normandy’s claim was based on a promise by Edward. These claims were influential on the final outcome.
Harald Hardrada was a Viking leader. He was a very powerful man and he believed he deserved to be to be the king of England because he was a descendant of King Canute who ruled England between 1016-1032. Also his family was promised they could have England which made him think he had every right to invade England and become king. This wasn’t a very strong argument because he had hoped that his reputation of been a fierce fighter would be enough to claim England for his own.
Harold Godwin was Edward the confessor brother-in-law and the son of Earl Godwinson who was the most powerful noble in England. His claim to the throne was that he was already very much in control of England and on Edward’s death bed Edward said to him “I commend my wife and my kingdom to your care” If this was true it would mean that he did have a rightful claim as it was the kings dying wish but the problem was that his sister was present and he rushed to be crowned kings so he could have had something to hide.
William of Normandy was the cousin of Edward the confessor. William’s claim was that Edward promised him the throne after he sheltered Edward and protected his family until he was crowned. He also claimed that Harold Godwin had sworn him an oath of alliance. The problem with his claim was that Norman sources say that Edward forced Harold to swear an oath of alliance.
From the evidence Harald Hardrada was the least eligible person to claim the throne because his only claim was his relation to King Canute who had ruled England until Edward the confessor had stolen the throne.
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User Comments
Francis Vessigault
On July 11, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I would have wished that King Harald Hardrada of Norway won the battle of Stamford Bridge on September 25 1066 and conquered England for himself with his warriors, strengthening the Danish and Norse influences in England and scandinavianizing the Anglo-Saxon line of the Royal family. His claim was legitimate.
King Knud of Denmark who ruled England from 1016 till 1035 influenced England for good.
The pronouns like THEY, THEM, THEIR, THERE and the verb TO TAKE all come from the Danish Vikings with all the numerous words like EGG, BIRD, KNIFE, HUSBAND, SISTER,WIFE and verbs like
TO GET,TO GIVE,TO GO and so forth.
The judicial system and many forms of government all come from the Danish Vikings.
William’s claim is not valid as there is NO WAY of verifying the truth of his claim. And Anglo-Saxon king Harold’s claim is partly valid because he was of Danish descent.
muzzy
On September 11, 2008 at 2:03 pm
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On September 17, 2008 at 2:02 pm
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David James Wallis
On September 24, 2008 at 9:45 am
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NYCluva
On September 29, 2008 at 12:11 pm
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josh
On October 21, 2008 at 3:03 pm
you done my home work for me thanks but give a few more people who wanted t obe king in 1066.
Charlotte
On November 8, 2008 at 1:08 pm
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On November 12, 2008 at 2:34 pm
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Jess
On November 19, 2008 at 10:24 am
Who was the fourth person to claim the throne after Edward I in 1066?? Please help
sophie willett
On November 23, 2008 at 5:56 am
but people say there were 4 people who claimed to be king
ruby
On November 25, 2008 at 10:06 am
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zarah
On November 26, 2008 at 2:45 pm
it dose not say anything about Edgar
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On January 15, 2009 at 2:34 pm
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person above
On January 15, 2009 at 2:36 pm
where there 3 or 4 kings in th war
pretty pink169
On January 19, 2009 at 10:30 am
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Hinata1927
On March 4, 2009 at 8:50 am
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genty ☻
On March 4, 2009 at 8:50 am
omg!! why didnt you put more about william the bastard !! ☻
Hinata1927
On March 4, 2009 at 8:51 am
William the Bastard is William the Conquerer, foo’!
Hinata1927
On March 4, 2009 at 8:52 am
WTF!
Hinata1927
On March 4, 2009 at 8:57 am
Also, you did not mention some other claims which I have found out about. I know that this is a summary, but there are two other claims which were not actually valid but could still be mentioned.
Sweyn Esrithsson and Edgar Aethling are two other claimants. Sweyn was also Danish but I am unknown of what nationality Edgar was. Still, it is quite a bit more of history. Thanks anyway! ;]
rabbit teeth
On March 17, 2009 at 2:05 pm
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name
On May 29, 2009 at 2:11 pm
comment
Jack Wright
On August 19, 2009 at 5:14 am
How about Tostig?
sol
On October 14, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Great!!! Just what I was looking for, thanks for helping me do my homework!
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