Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History

    Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016

    Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 3 The…

    Full specification wording

    Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 3 The rival claimants for the throne: The Witan and the coronation and reign of Harold Godwinson.

    The Witan, a council of leading nobles and senior churchmen, played a crucial role in the 1066 succession.

    Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 2 of 3

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The Witan, a council of leading nobles and senior churchmen, played a crucial role in the 1066 succession. Upon Edward's death, they elected Harold Godwinson as king, prioritising a proven military leader capable of defending England over the young Edgar the Aethling. Harold's coronation took place swiftly on 6 January 1066, the very same day as Edward's funeral, highlighting the urgency of securing the throne against foreign threats. Harold's brief reign was dominated by military preparation. He immediately travelled to York to secure the loyalty of the northern earls, Edwin and Morcar, and then assembled the largest fyrd in English history along the south coast, waiting months for William of Normandy's anticipated invasion.

    What earns the marks

    • Define the Witan's role in advising the king and their crucial authority in electing the new monarch during a succession crisis.
    • Explain the speed of Harold's coronation on 6 January 1066 as a deliberate strategy to consolidate power before rivals could react.
    • Describe Harold's immediate actions as king, including his journey north to secure the crucial support of Earls Edwin and Morcar.
    • Detail Harold's defensive measures during his reign, specifically the mobilisation and prolonged maintenance of the southern fyrd and fleet.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Believing the Witan was a modern democratic parliament.

      Put it right: Describe the Witan as an elite advisory council of powerful earls and bishops, not elected representatives.

    • Assuming Harold seized the throne illegally.

      Put it right: Emphasise that Harold was officially elected by the Witan, giving him legal legitimacy in Anglo-Saxon eyes.

    • Thinking Harold's reign was peaceful until Hastings.

      Put it right: Highlight that his entire nine-month reign was consumed by intense military mobilisation and political manoeuvring.

    Exam tips

    • Emphasise the timing of the coronation (same day as Edward's funeral) to demonstrate the perceived vulnerability of England in January 1066.
    • Use Harold's marriage to Ealdgyth (sister of Edwin and Morcar) as evidence of his strategic efforts to unite the country during his short reign.
    • When discussing the Witan, explicitly state why they chose Harold over Edgar the Aethling to show understanding of the threat of invasion.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 3 The rival claimants for the throne: The Witan and the coronation and reign of Harold Godwinson. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What crucial role did the Witan play immediately following the death of Edward the Confessor in January 1066?

    Listen

    The Witan, a council of leading nobles and senior churchmen, played a crucial role in the 1066 succession. Upon Edward's death, they elected Harold Godwinson as king, prioritising a proven military leader capable of defending England over the young Edgar the Aethling. Harold's coronation took place swiftly on 6 January 1066, the very same day as Edward's funeral, highlighting the urgency of securing the throne against foreign threats. Harold's brief reign was dominated by military preparation. He immediately travelled to York to secure the loyalty of the northern earls, Edwin and Morcar, and then assembled the largest fyrd in English history along the south coast, waiting months for William of Normandy's anticipated invasion. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Define the Witan's role in advising the king and their crucial authority in electing the new monarch during a succession crisis. Explain the speed of Harold's coronation on 6 January 1066 as a deliberate strategy to consolidate power before rivals could react. Describe Harold's immediate actions as king, including his journey north to secure the crucial support of Earls Edwin and Morcar. Detail Harold's defensive measures during his reign, specifically the mobilisation and prolonged maintenance of the southern fyrd and fleet. A common slip: Believing the Witan was a modern democratic parliament. Instead, describe the Witan as an elite advisory council of powerful earls and bishops, not elected representatives. Exam tip: Emphasise the timing of the coronation (same day as Edward's funeral) to demonstrate the perceived vulnerability of England in January 1066.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart with seven boxes connected by arrows. The first box reads Edward's death and points to the second, Witan elects Harold Godwinson. That points to Harold crowned 6 January 1066, which points to Harold travels to York. That points to Secures loyalty of Edwin and Morcar, which points to Assembles largest fyrd along south coast, which finally points to Waits months for William's anticipated invasion.
    The sequence from Edward's death through the Witan's election of Harold, his swift coronation, and his military preparations for invasion.

    Put it in order

    Put these steps in the order they happen.

    1. 1. Waits months for William's anticipated invasion
    2. 2. Assembles largest fyrd along south coast
    3. 3. Harold crowned 6 January 1066
    4. 4. Secures loyalty of Edwin and Morcar
    5. 5. Edward's death
    6. 6. Witan elects Harold Godwinson
    7. 7. Harold travels to York

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart with seven boxes connected by arrows. The first box reads Edward's death and points to the second, Witan elects Harold Godwinson. That points to Harold crowned 6 January 1066, which points to Harold travels to York. That points to Secures loyalty of Edwin and Morcar, which points to Assembles largest fyrd along south coast, which finally points to Waits months for William's anticipated invasion.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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