History

Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Answer in your head…Whose death on 5 January 1066 left England without a child to inherit the crown?

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Edward the Confessor

HintHe founded a great abbey beside the Thames at Westminster.

The whyHe left no son, so the crown was open to rivals: Harold Godwinson, William of Normandy, Harald Hardrada and Edgar Ætheling. The Witan, a council of leading nobles, had a say in choosing a king. Historians still argue about whom Edward really wanted.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

↔ Asked both waysAnswer in your head…The Anglo-Saxon council of leading nobles that advised the king and had a say in who should succeed him

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

The Witan (Witenagemot)

HintIts name comes from Old English and refers to wise advisers.

The whyIt advised the king on laws, land and other national business. In 1066 it backed Harold Godwinson rather than a claimant from outside England.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Answer in your head…Which young prince of the old royal house was Edward the Confessor's closest living relative in 1066, yet was passed over as king?

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Edgar Ætheling

HintHis title means a prince of royal blood.

The whyEdgar was a great-nephew of Edward and, as a child, the last male of the old royal house apart from the king. Some historians think he was judged too young to lead against invaders. He later fled to Scotland.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Answer in your head…In about 1064 Harold Godwinson visited Normandy. What did Duke William say Harold swore to do there?

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

To support William's claim to the English throne

HintThe Bayeux Tapestry shows the oath being taken on holy relics.

The whyThe story comes mainly from Norman sources. The Bayeux Tapestry shows an oath but not what was promised, so historians cannot be sure of the details. The Normans later called Harold an oath-breaker.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Answer in your head…Who was crowned king of England on 6 January 1066, the day Edward the Confessor was buried?

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Harold Godwinson

HintHe was the late king's brother-in-law.

The whyHarold was Earl of Wessex and brother of Edward's queen, Edith. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle says Edward had granted him the kingdom and that men had chosen him. He reigned for forty weeks and a day before he died at Hastings.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

↔ Asked both waysAnswer in your head…The Norwegian king who claimed the English throne and invaded in September 1066 alongside Tostig Godwinson

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Harald Hardrada

HintHis nickname is often translated as 'hard ruler'.

The whyTostig was Harold Godwinson's brother, whom Harold had exiled in 1065. Hardrada's fleet won the Battle of Fulford on 20 September, but he was killed at Stamford Bridge five days later.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

⌨ Type the answerAnswer in your head…On what day of September 1066 did Harold Godwinson defeat Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge? (number only)

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

25

HintIt was five days after the English defeat at Fulford.

The whyHarold hurried north and took the invaders by surprise. Hardrada and Tostig were both killed. Three days later William landed on the south coast.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Answer in your head…What trick did the Normans use at Hastings to tempt English soldiers out of their shield wall?

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

A feigned (pretend) retreat

HintThink how to break a wall of shields without charging it again.

The whyEnglish troops who chased the retreating riders downhill lost their formation and were cut down. Some historians doubt it was planned, but most accept the Normans used it at Hastings.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Fill the gapAnswer in your head…William's invasion fleet landed at ____ in Sussex on 28 September 1066.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Pevensey

HintAn old Roman fort there gave his camp some protection.

The whyWilliam then moved to Hastings, built a wooden castle there and raided the area. Harold was forced to march south swiftly, gathering troops as he went.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Fill the gapAnswer in your head…At Hastings the English army, fighting on foot on high ground, used the tactic called the ____.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

shield wall

HintThink of a defensive formation of men standing shoulder to shoulder.

The whyThe wall held off Norman attacks for many hours. Norman archers shooting uphill had little effect at first; in the end it was broken.

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

↔ Asked both waysAnswer in your head…Well-trained, full-time professional soldiers who formed the elite core of the Anglo-Saxon army

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History · Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)Professor Harari

Housecarls

HintThe name means 'household men'.

The whyMost of the English army was the fyrd, part-time soldiers called up by thegns and earls. Harold's elite housecarls fought beside them at Hastings.

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Medieval Britain 1066–1509, Year 11: the succession crisis and the Battle of Hastings (Norman England option)

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