History · Professor Harari

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

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1 GCSE-HIST-MED-0027

Whose death on 5 January 1066 left England without a child to inherit the crown?

Edward the Confessor

HintHe founded a great abbey beside the Thames at Westminster.

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.

2 GCSE-HIST-MED-0028

The Anglo-Saxon council of leading nobles that advised the king and had a say in who should succeed him

The Witan (Witenagemot)

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

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

3 GCSE-HIST-MED-0029

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

Edgar Ætheling

HintHis title means a prince of royal blood.

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.

4 GCSE-HIST-MED-0030

In about 1064 Harold Godwinson visited Normandy. What did Duke William say Harold swore to do there?

To support William's claim to the English throne

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

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.

5 GCSE-HIST-MED-0031

Who was crowned king of England on 6 January 1066, the day Edward the Confessor was buried?

Harold Godwinson

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

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.

6 GCSE-HIST-MED-0032

The Norwegian king who claimed the English throne and invaded in September 1066 alongside Tostig Godwinson

Harald Hardrada

HintHis nickname is often translated as 'hard ruler'.

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.

7 GCSE-HIST-MED-0033

On what day of September 1066 did Harold Godwinson defeat Harald Hardrada at Stamford Bridge? (number only)

25

HintIt was five days after the English defeat at Fulford.

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

8 GCSE-HIST-MED-0034

What trick did the Normans use at Hastings to tempt English soldiers out of their shield wall?

A feigned (pretend) retreat

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

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.

9 GCSE-HIST-MED-0035

William's invasion fleet landed at ____ in Sussex on 28 September 1066.

Pevensey

HintAn old Roman fort there gave his camp some protection.

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.

10 GCSE-HIST-MED-0036

At Hastings the English army, fighting on foot on high ground, used the tactic called the ____.

shield wall

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

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

11 GCSE-HIST-MED-0037

Well-trained, full-time professional soldiers who formed the elite core of the Anglo-Saxon army

Housecarls

HintThe name means 'household men'.

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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