New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Claimants to the throne in 1066

I can explain why there was a succession crisis in 1066.

New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Claimants to the throne in 1066

I can explain why there was a succession crisis in 1066.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. There were four claimants to the throne in 1066.
  2. Harold Godwinson had the support of the Witan.
  3. William of Normandy claimed to have been promised the throne by Edward the Confessor.
  4. Harald Hardrada claimed a historical right to the throne.
  5. 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.

Two of the claimants are named Harold. To differentiate the two, refer to King Harald of Norway as Hardrada and King Harold II of England as Harold Godwinson.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
are people with a high rank in Anglo-Saxon society such as earls.
Correct Answer: Nobles, nobles
Q2.
How did Edward the Confessor demonstrate his closeness to god?
Correct answer: By giving alms (charity) to the poor
By building Westminster abbey
Correct answer: By always attending church services
Q3.
100 years after his death, the Pope made Edward the Confessor a .
Correct Answer: saint, Saint
Q4.
What was the Danelaw?
a set of laws established by Tostig in Northumbria
Correct answer: a region in northern England influenced by Danish laws and customs
a region in southern England influenced by Danish laws and customs
Q5.
How many armed rebels attacked York and killed Tostig’s housecarls at the start of the uprising against Earl Tostig Godwinson?
Correct answer: 200
20
2 000
Q6.
What event marked the beginning of the uprising against Tostig in 1065?
assassination ordered by Queen Edith
Edward the Confessor's death
Correct answer: rebels attacking York

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words with their definitions. Write the correct letter in each box.
Correct Answer:claimant ,a person who declares their belief that they have a right to something

a person who declares their belief that they have a right to something

Correct Answer:mercenary,a soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them

a soldier who fights for any country or group that pays them

Correct Answer:aethling,In Anglo Saxon England, this was a prince of royal blood.

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.
Correct Answer: Legitimacy, legitimacy
Q3.
How many claimants were there to the throne in 1066?
2
3
Correct answer: 4
5
Q4.
Which claimant had the support of the Witan?
Duke William of Normandy
Correct answer: Harold Godwinson
Edgar the Aethling
Harald Hardrada
Q5.
Who claimed to have been promised the throne by Edward the Confessor?
Correct answer: Duke William of Normandy
Harold Godwinson
Edgar the Aethling
Harald Hardrada
Q6.
Who convinced Harald Hardrada to invade England?
Correct answer: Tostig Godwinson
Harold Godwinson
Cnut, the Viking king of England

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