chapter 1- causes of the conquest

• describe the government before 1066

  • ruled by king Edward
  • divided into earldoms
• describe the population before 1066

  • around 2 million
  • majority live in the south
• describe the defence before 1066

  • king &earls control the soldiers
  • known as house carls
• describe society before 1066

  • a clear heirarchy
  • king at the top of the heirarchy & peasants at the bottom
• describe religion before 1066

  • central to lives
  • churches owned large amount of land
• describe wealth before 1066

  • England was wealthy
  • trade notably with France & Scandinavia
• who was Godwin ?

  • the earl of Wessex
  • respected military leader
  • controlled the largest earldom
• what happened to the Godwin's ?

  • in 1052 they were exiled
  • they returned with an army
  • so Edward had to allow them back
• what were the problems surrounding Edwards death ?

  • he died childless on January 5th 1066
  • left the kingdom without an obvious ruler
  • a claim could be made in several ways
• who were the four claimants ?

  • Harald hadrada
  • Harold godwinson
  • Edgar the aethling
  • William of Normandy
• who was Harold godwinson and what was he like ?

  • became sub regulus acting as a deputy king
  • had shown loyalty to Edward & tostig
  • claimed to of been promised the throne
  • had the support of the witan
  • had himself crowned on the day of Edwards funeral
• who was Edgar the aethling and what was he like ?

  • great-nephew of edward
  • treated by many as Edwards adopted son
  • was only a teenager so lacked experience
• who was william of Normandy and what was he like ?

  • a successful but ruthless military leader
  • distant cousin from Edward
  • claimed that Edward promised him the throne
  • William said that Harold supported this claim
• who was Harald hadrada and what was he like ?

  • had a reputation as a strong ruler
  • was a relative to the previous ruler
  • claimed that Magnus (his father) had been promised the throne by cnut