1. England in 1066: Who Should Be King?

2. For discussion: List 5 characteristics that would make a good King
Top of page 26

3. I. The Problem of Who Will be King
A. In 1066, King Edward the Confessor was old & very sick. He soon died.
1. Normally no problem - throne would go to king’s son
2. Edward had no son
3. When there is no heir, any noble with any claim can try to take the throne
B. Like a fumble in football, English crown was up for grabs, & many competitors try to claim it!

4. II. Who Should Be King?
A. In 1066, three men made a claim to the throne
1. Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex
2. William,
Duke of Normandy
3. Harald Hardrada, King of Norway

5. Harold Godwinson; Earl of Wessex William, Duke of Normandy
Harald Hardrada, King of Norway
Draw this chart on the bottom of page 26

6. III. Contender #1 3. Experience as a Lord & commanding an army
A. Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex – an English Lord
1. Sister, Edith, married to King Edward
2. Most powerful lord & landowner in England
3. Experience as a Lord & commanding an army
B. Only English contender
1. Harold had the support of other Lords in England
C. Harold said that Edward named him king just before he died
1. Only witness was Edward’s widow, Harold’s sister
D. Harold promised William of Normandy he would be King

7. IV. Contender #2 William, Duke of Normandy - Norman French Lord
1. Normandy is on N. coast of France
2. Edward’s mother was William’s great-great grandfather’s sister
3. Edward and William were cousins
B. William sent soldiers to help Edward in his time of need
Edward promised William he would be king
Edward supposedly sent Harold in 1064 to promise William the throne
D. William had support of the Pope

8. V. Contender #3
A. Harald Hardrada, King of Norway – Fierce Viking Warrior
1. Given name Harald Sigurdsson; Hardrada meant “hard ruler”
B. Family had been Kings of England
1. Edward the Confessor had taken the throne from Hardrada’s people
C. Hardrada had support of Scandinavians in N. England

9. Using evidence you have seen, give your opinion on who should be King.
III. The Contenders
Complete on page 27
Using evidence you have seen,
give your opinion on who should be King.
Paragraph 1: “In my opinion, _____ should be the next king because…”
Paragraph 2: “The other contenders should not be King because…”
Paragraph 3: “Some might disagree with me because…, but they are incorrect because…”