Anglo-saxon context and succession to the throne

• Anglo-Saxon Society and Government

  • KING
  • EARLS
  • THEGNS
  • PEASANTS AND SLAVES
• The king


  • At the top of the hierarchy
  • Ruled the country
  • Responsible for protecting the country and governing the kingdom
• Earls


  • Responsible for overseeing the government in their earldom
  • Earldoms covered large areas of land, giving them wealth and power
• Sheriffs


  • Controlled the government within each shire
  • Shires were divided into hundreds, also controlled by sheriffs and deputies
• System of Anglo-Saxon government

  1. King ruled with king's council (Witan)

  2. Churchmen played key role in government

  3. King appointed earls and sheriffs to help govern
• Earls and sheriffs enforced law and order, ran local courts and brought criminals to justice
• Punishments ranged from fines to death penalty depending on seriousness of crime
• Vast majority of people were peasants or slaves, living in villages governed by a thegn
• Towns were smaller than modern English towns, only a small minority lived in towns
• Towns were centres of business and commerce, with craftsmen and merchants
• Church played an important role in Anglo-Saxon society, with growing influence over ordinary people
• Church was split into dioceses controlled by bishops, and parishes with local priests
• Church and nobility had an important relationship, with nobility giving gifts and helping protect the Church
• Nobles tried to control appointments of bishops, abbots and priests to give to relatives and followers
• Church's support was important to legitimise a ruler's claim to power
• Godwin


  Earl of Wessex, one of the most powerful men in England
• Godwin's relationship with King Edward

  1. Backed Edward's claim to throne

  2. Married his daughter Edith

  3. Rebelled unsuccessfully against Edward in 1051

  4. Returned with army in 1052 and had demands met
• Harold Godwinson


  • Became Earl of Wessex after Godwin's death
  • Had strong relations with important churchmen
  • Played important role in governing country with Edward
• The Godwin family dominated English politics in final years of Edward's reign
• The Godwins controlled a large amount of land and wealth, helping them gain many followers
• Harold visited Normandy, possibly swearing an oath to support William's claim to the throne
• Accounts of Harold's visit to Normandy are conflicting, making it difficult for historians to determine what actually happened
• Harold


  Visited Normandy at some point in 1064 or 1065, met with William, Duke of Normandy
• Harold might have sworn an Oath to William of Normandy and went on a military campaign with him, however the actual reason for Harold's visit is still unclear
• According to Norman sources

  Harold had been sent by King Edward to name William the next King of England, and Harold supposedly swore an oath to support William's claim
• However, these sources give conflicting information regarding when and where this happened
• According to some English sources

  Harold went to secure the release of his brother and his hostages in Normandy since 1051
• Others suggest Harold was shipwrecked on the northern coast of France during a fishing trip
• In the English sources, Harold still swore the oath to support William's claim, but it was not the reason for visiting Normandy - some argue William forced him to do it
• These conflicting accounts make it extremely difficult for historians to figure out what actually happened
• Most of the sources are also biased so it's hard to tell if they're accurate
• Whether Harold swore the oath or not, the Normans used it to undermine his claim to the throne and justify the invasion in 1066
• The Norman sources made after 1066 supported William's claim to the throne
• For example, the Bayeux Tapestry shows Harold wearing an oath to William, but this was ordered by William who wanted to present himself as the rightful king
• Tostig


  • He was the Earl of Northumbria, a powerful earl and military leader who was well liked by the king and queen
  • He was extremely unpopular with the people in his earldom, had raised taxes and ordered the murder of several noblemen
• Tostig's exile


  It gained Harold new allies and removed a potential rival for the throne, Tostig even claimed Harold had conspired with the rebels to have him exiled
• Whether this is true or not, Tostig's exile meant that Harold was undoubtedly the most powerful earl in England by the time Edward died
• Northumbrian Rebellion against Tostig

  1. Rebels demanded Morcar be appointed earl

  2. King Edward sent Harold to deal with the rebels

  3. Harold agreed to appoint Morcar as earl and send Tostig into exile
• By helping Morcar become Earl of Northumbria, Harold gained powerful allies in the north of the kingdom
• Edward the Confessor


  King of England since 1042, his father was the Anglo-Saxon king Aethelred, his mother was a daughter of the Duke of Normandy and he was raised in Normandy