Edward the Confessor's death and the claimants to the throne
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why there was a succession crisis after the death of Edward the Confessor.
Key learning points
- There were four claimants to the throne in 1066.
- Harold Godwinson had the support of the Witan.
- William of Normandy claimed to have been promised the throne by Edward the Confessor.
- Harald Hardrada claimed a historical right to the throne.
- Edgar the Aetheling was Edward the Confessor's closest living relative.
Keywords
Claimant - a claimant is a person who declares their belief that something belongs to them or that they have a right to it
Succession crisis - a succession crisis occurs when there is no clear heir to a position
Mercenary - a mercenary is a soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them
Legitimacy - legitimacy means that something can be proved to be right by law or according to customs
Aethling - in Anglo-Saxon England, an aethling was a prince of royal blood
Common misconception
After a monarch dies, their eldest child automatically becomes monarch after them.
In Anglo-Saxon England, an heir was always in a strong position, but even if there was an heir, the Witan could use their influence for someone else to be made monarch - if, for example, the heir was too young.
Teacher tip
Two of the claimants are named King Harold. To differentiate between the two, refer to King Harold of Norway as Harald or Hardrada. And/or refer to Harold Godwinson for King Harold II of England.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1. are people with a high rank in Anglo-Saxon society such as earls.
Q2.How did Edward the Confessor demonstrate his closeness to god?
Q3.100 years after his death, the Pope made Edward the Confessor a .
Q4.What was the Danelaw?
Q5.How many armed rebels attacked York and killed Tostig’s housecarls at the start of the uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson?
Q6.What event marked the beginning of the uprising against Tostig in 1065?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
a person who declares their belief that they have a right to something
a soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them
In Anglo Saxon England, this was a prince of royal blood.
Q2. means that something can be proved to be right by law or according to customs.
Q3.How many claimants were there to the throne in 1066?
Q4.Which claimant had the support of the Witan?
Q5.Who claimed to have been promised the throne by Edward the Confessor?
Q6.Who convinced Harald Hardrada to invade England?
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Edward the Confessor's death and the claimants to the throne, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 history lesson on: Edward the Confessor's death and the claimants to the throne, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the British Depth Study: Norman England, c1066–c1100 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.