What were the English customs for naming a successor?
regardedthedyingking'swordsasmoreimportant
What were the Norman customs for naming a successor?
earlier promises were seen as final
Edgar Atheling
closest blood relative
only 14
no money, army, military experience
Harald Hardrada
Harthacnut made agreement with King of Norway that he would get the throne, when Harthacnut dies, Magnus was too busy fighting so Edward took the throne
Hardrada believed the throne was rightfully his
seasoned warrior and experienced ruler
Saxons remembered Viking raids, resentment
William of Normandy
illegitimate son of Richard, Duke of Normandy so relation to Edward was flawed
Wessex and Normandy had been allies since 988, trading partners
when Edward faced rebellion from Earl Godwin in 1051, William sent soldiers to help
Edward promised William the throne, but he was not he only one promised it
claimed in 1064, Harold Godwinson swore under oath to support William's claim
good military leader and supported by the Pope
Harold Godwinson
powerful family, earldom of Wessex, inherited in 1053
sub regulus to king
strongly supported by Witan
proven military record and good leadership
family exiled in 1051
oaths 'sworn' to William and to support his own claim
