Causes of the Norman Conquest Flashcards
All 17 cards in this deck
How was the House of Godwin linked to the monarchy?
King Edward was married to Edith of Wessex, Godwin's daughter.
What did it mean that Harold Godwinson acted as 'sub-regulus'?
He acted as under-king, running the country as Edward became less interested in government.
When did Edward the Confessor die?
5 January 1066.
What was Harold Godwinson's embassy to Normandy (1064)?
Harold's visit to Normandy, during which he fought alongside William's forces and, William claimed, swore to support William's claim to the throne.
What was William of Normandy's claim to the English throne?
He said Edward promised him the throne in return for his support against a rebellion by Earl Godwin, and he had a blood connection to Edward.
What was Harald Hardrada's claim to the English throne?
He argued that Harthacnut, a previous king of England, had promised the throne to Magnus, Hardrada's nephew and the king of Norway before him.
What was Edgar the Aethling's claim to the English throne?
As Edward's great-nephew he had the closest blood tie; 'Aethling' meant 'throne-worthy'.
What support did William of Normandy gain from the Pope?
The Pope backed William, claiming Harold's coronation was unlawful, and gave him the Papal Banner.
Who did the Witan choose as king after Edward the Confessor's death?
Harold Godwinson, crowned on 6 January 1066.
True or false? Harold Godwinson became Earl of Wessex after the death of his father, Earl Godwin.
True. Harold succeeded his father as Earl of Wessex, the richest earldom in England.
True or false? In 1066 the eldest son of a king automatically inherited the English throne.
False. There was no single fixed rule: a king's son might inherit but not necessarily the eldest, the Witan could suggest a male relative, or the king could nominate an heir.
What part could the Witan play in choosing a new king?
As a council of leading nobles and churchmen, it could suggest an heir to the throne or be guided by the dead king's wishes.
What was Harold Godwinson's claim to the English throne?
He said Edward the Confessor promised him the crown on his deathbed ('novissima verba'), and he was supported by the English nobles.
Give two things William of Normandy did in 1066 to prepare to enforce his claim, apart from winning the Pope's backing.
He assembled an invasion fleet and recruited soldiers, and secured Normandy and his French provinces so enemies would not attack while he was away.
Why could Harold Godwinson argue that his 1064 oath to William did not bind him?
He swore it while in William's power in Normandy, so it could be said to have been made under threat.
Why was Tostig Godwinson willing to back Harald Hardrada's invasion in 1066?
A northern revolt had thrown Tostig out of his earldom of Northumbria in 1065, and Harold accepted his removal, so Tostig went into exile. Siding with Hardrada gave him a way to strike back at his brother and regain Northumbria.
Why did Edward the Confessor have close ties with Normandy?
He spent his youth in exile there, his mother Emma's homeland, while Danish kings ruled England, returning only in 1041. As king he promoted Norman friends to posts at court and in the Church, which angered English nobles such as Godwin.