1066 and claims to the throne
You can describe the succession crisis of 1066 and explain how William of Poitiers' writing has been used by historians to investigate claims to the throne.
1066 and claims to the throne
You can describe the succession crisis of 1066 and explain how William of Poitiers' writing has been used by historians to investigate claims to the throne.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- King Edward the Confessor died without an heir in 1066.
- William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson claimed the throne.
- William of Poitiers tried to justify William's claim in his 'Gesta Guillelmi'.
- The 'Gesta Guillelmi' claims that William was promised the throne by Edward and that Godwinson betrayed William.
- Historians have to remember Poitiers' motives for writing when using his work to investigate claims to the throne.
Common misconception
That 'eyewitness' accounts produce a more reliable picture of historical events.
Although 'eyewitness' accounts are valuable, they were produced for a particular purpose which may distort their contents.
Keywords
Heir - An heir is a person who expects to inherit the property or position of another person when that person dies.
Succession crisis - A succession crisis occurs when there is no clear heir to a position.
Papal - Something relating to the Pope is papal.
Perjurer - A perjurer is somebody who lies, often under oath.
Content guidance
- Contains subject matter which individuals may find upsetting.
Supervision
Adult supervision suggested.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
ruler of a kingdom
seat of a king, also means the power of a king
a noble who is just below a king
a noble who is below a duke, governing an earldom
the territory ruled by a king
something that tells us about history, e.g. a letter
to examine something to discover more about it
to make a demand, to set out your rights to something
to explain or prove why something is right
to support or encourage something
Exit quiz
6 Questions
caused succession crisis by not clearly naming his heir
got himself crowned king as soon as he could
felt betrayed over broken promises
recorded the Norman view of the crisis
mother of Edward and William of Normandy’s aunt