Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 2 The last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisis — Edexcel GCSE History
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Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 2 The last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisis explained
The House of Godwin was the most formidable noble family in late Anglo-Saxon England, wielding immense political, economic, and military power.
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Their significance stemmed from controlling vast earldoms, which provided them with wealth that rivalled the king's and the ability to raise massive armies (the fyrd). When Earl Godwin died in 1053, his son Harold Godwinson succeeded him as Earl of Wessex, the richest earldom in England. This succession consolidated Harold's position as the king's right-hand man (sub-regulus). By strategically placing his brothers—Tostig, Gyrth, and Leofwine—into other major earldoms, Harold ensured the Godwins dominated English politics, effectively surrounding and controlling the childless King Edward the Confessor.
Harold Godwinson’s embassy to Normandy. The reasons for the rising against Tostig and his exile. The death of Edward the Confessor.
In 1064, Harold Godwinson undertook an embassy to Normandy. Norman sources claim he swore an oath on holy relics to support William's claim to the English throne, a crucial event William later used to justify his invasion. Meanwhile, Harold's brother Tostig faced a severe uprising in Northumbria in 1065. The rising against Tostig was triggered by his heavy taxation, introduction of southern laws, and the assassination of local rivals. To prevent civil war, Harold sided with the rebels, resulting in Tostig's exile and creating a bitter feud between the brothers. This internal instability peaked with the death of the childless Edward the Confessor in January 1066, plunging England into a profound succession crisis.
Your focus
- Describe the extent of the land and wealth controlled by the House of Godwin.
- Explain the significance of Harold Godwinson inheriting the Earldom of Wessex in 1053.
- Evaluate how the Godwins used their earldoms to influence King Edward the Confessor.
Show all 6 objectives
- Explain the events and conflicting interpretations of Harold Godwinson's embassy to Normandy.
- Analyse the political and economic reasons behind the Northumbrian rising against Tostig.
- Assess the impact of Edward the Confessor's death on the stability of the English crown.
Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 2 The last years of Edward the Confessor and the succession crisis exam tips
Marking Points
- Identify the vast landholdings of the Godwin family, noting that their combined wealth exceeded that of King Edward.
- Explain how Harold Godwinson's succession to the Earldom of Wessex in 1053 made him the most powerful noble in England.
- Describe the strategic placement of Harold's brothers (Tostig in Northumbria, Gyrth in East Anglia) to secure national dominance.
- Analyse the military power of the Godwins, specifically their ability to summon a massive fyrd and maintain a fleet of ships.
- Explain the Norman perspective of the 1064 embassy, focusing on Harold's alleged oath to support William's succession.
- Identify Tostig's harsh rule, excessive taxation, and failure to understand northern customs as primary reasons for the 1065 Northumbrian uprising.
- Analyse Harold's pragmatic decision to support the Northumbrian rebels against his own brother to maintain national stability.
- Describe how Edward the Confessor's death in January 1066 without a direct heir immediately triggered a succession crisis.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use the term 'sub-regulus' (deputy king) to demonstrate high-level understanding of Harold Godwinson's status after 1053.
- 💡When explaining Godwin power, explicitly link their vast land ownership to their ability to raise large armies.
- 💡Reference the specific earldoms controlled by the brothers (Wessex, Northumbria, East Anglia) to provide concrete evidence of their dominance.
- 💡Contrast Norman and Anglo-Saxon interpretations of the 1064 embassy to evaluate the reliability of historical sources.
- 💡Link Tostig's exile directly to the events of 1066, as it explains why Tostig later allied with Harald Hardrada.
- 💡Use the rising against Tostig to demonstrate Harold Godwinson's prioritisation of the kingdom's stability over his own family loyalty.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming King Edward had absolute power; correction: recognise that the Godwins held significant practical power and could pressure the king.
- Confusing Earl Godwin with Harold Godwinson; correction: clearly distinguish between the father (Godwin) who died in 1053 and the son (Harold) who succeeded him.
- Stating the Godwins controlled all of England; correction: note that Mercia remained under the control of a rival family (Aelfgar), providing a check on Godwin power.
- Treating the Norman account of the embassy as undisputed fact; correction: acknowledge that Anglo-Saxon and Norman sources differ on the purpose and nature of Harold's oath.
- Claiming Tostig was exiled by William; correction: state that Tostig was exiled by King Edward on the advice of Harold Godwinson and the Witan.
- Stating Edward died in battle; correction: clarify that Edward died of natural causes in January 1066, leaving a disputed succession.