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

Edward the Confessor

提示He founded a great abbey beside the Thames at Westminster.

为什么He 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.

The Witan (Witenagemot)

提示Its name comes from Old English and refers to wise advisers.

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

Edgar Ætheling

提示His title means a prince of royal blood.

为什么Edgar 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.

To support William's claim to the English throne

提示The Bayeux Tapestry shows the oath being taken on holy relics.

为什么The 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.

Harold Godwinson

提示He was the late king's brother-in-law.

为什么Harold 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.

Harald Hardrada

提示His nickname is often translated as 'hard ruler'.

为什么Tostig 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.

25

提示It was five days after the English defeat at Fulford.

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

A feigned (pretend) retreat

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

为什么English 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.

Pevensey

提示An old Roman fort there gave his camp some protection.

为什么William 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.

shield wall

提示Think of a defensive formation of men standing shoulder to shoulder.

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

Housecarls

提示The name means 'household men'.

为什么Most 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.