Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 3 The rival claimants for the throne — Edexcel GCSE History
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Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 3 The rival claimants for the throne explained
Following Edward's death, three major figures claimed the throne alongside Harold Godwinson.
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William of Normandy's claim rested on a supposed promise made by Edward in 1051 and Harold's 1064 oath of allegiance. His motive was to expand Norman power and secure what he believed was his divine right. Harald Hardrada, the fearsome Viking King of Norway, based his claim on a secret treaty between previous kings (Harthacnut and Magnus), motivated by a desire to recreate the North Sea Empire. Edgar the Aethling had the strongest hereditary claim as Edward's great-nephew and the last male of the royal house of Wessex. However, his youth and lack of military backing meant the Witan bypassed him in favour of a strong military leader.
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. 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.
Reasons for, and significance of, the outcome of the battles of Gate Fulford and Stamford Bridge.
The Battle of Gate Fulford (20 September 1066) saw Harald Hardrada and Tostig defeat Earls Edwin and Morcar. The Norwegian victory resulted from superior numbers and experienced troops outflanking the English. Significantly, this crushed the northern levies and forced King Harold to march rapidly northwards. At the Battle of Stamford Bridge (25 September 1066), Harold decisively defeated the Viking forces. The English victory was achieved through a rapid, surprise approach, catching the Norwegians without their chainmail armour. The significance of Stamford Bridge was immense: it ended Hardrada's 1066 Norwegian invasion, but critically exhausted Harold’s elite housecarls and left the southern coast undefended against William of Normandy's imminent invasion.
Your focus
- Describe the basis of William of Normandy's claim to the English throne.
- Explain how Harald Hardrada justified his planned invasion of England.
- Evaluate why Edgar the Aethling's strong hereditary claim was ultimately unsuccessful in January 1066.
Show all 9 objectives
- Explain the function of the Witan in the selection of Anglo-Saxon monarchs.
- Analyse the reasons for the rapid coronation of Harold Godwinson in January 1066.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of Harold Godwinson's military and political preparations during his short reign.
- Explain the tactical reasons for the Norwegian victory at Gate Fulford.
- Analyse how Harold Godwinson achieved victory at Stamford Bridge.
- Evaluate the impact of both battles on the outcome of the 1066 succession crisis.
Option B1: Key topic 1: Anglo-Saxon England and the Norman Conquest, 1060–66 - 3 The rival claimants for the throne exam tips
Marking Points
- Detail William of Normandy's claim, focusing on the alleged 1051 promise by Edward and the 1064 oath sworn by Harold.
- Explain Harald Hardrada's claim, tracing it back to the agreement between Harthacnut and King Magnus of Norway.
- Identify Edgar the Aethling's claim as purely hereditary, being the closest blood relative to Edward the Confessor.
- Analyse the motives of the claimants, contrasting William's desire for expansion with Hardrada's ambition to rebuild a Viking empire.
- 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.
- Identify Hardrada's tactical use of the terrain and experienced warriors as the main reason for victory at Gate Fulford.
- Explain that Gate Fulford's significance lies in the destruction of the northern English forces, making them unavailable for Hastings.
- Describe how Harold Godwinson's rapid march achieved tactical surprise at Stamford Bridge, catching the Vikings unarmoured.
- Evaluate the dual significance of Stamford Bridge: eliminating the Norwegian claimant while fatally delaying and exhausting the English army before Hastings.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Create a clear comparison of the three claimants by categorising their claims into 'blood', 'promise', and 'treaty'.
- 💡When discussing Edgar the Aethling, explain why the Witan rejected him (age and lack of military strength) to show understanding of Anglo-Saxon political priorities.
- 💡Mention Tostig's role in encouraging Harald Hardrada's invasion to link the claimants to earlier domestic conflicts.
- 💡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.
- 💡When explaining the significance of these battles, always connect them to the broader context of the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings.
- 💡Use specific details, such as the Vikings leaving their armour behind at Stamford Bridge, to explain the reasons for the outcomes.
- 💡Contrast the leadership of Edwin and Morcar with that of Harold Godwinson to highlight different tactical decisions.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Harald Hardrada with Harold Godwinson; correction: use their full names to distinguish the Norwegian king from the Anglo-Saxon earl.
- Assuming Edgar the Aethling had no claim; correction: recognise that Edgar had the strongest blood claim but lacked the political and military power to enforce it.
- Stating William's claim was based on blood; correction: clarify that William's claim was based on a prior promise and an oath, not a direct bloodline to Edward.
- Believing the Witan was a modern democratic parliament; correction: describe the Witan as an elite advisory council of powerful earls and bishops, not elected representatives.
- Assuming Harold seized the throne illegally; correction: 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; correction: highlight that his entire nine-month reign was consumed by intense military mobilisation and political manoeuvring.
- Error: Confusing the commanders at Gate Fulford. Correction: Remember that Edwin and Morcar led the English at Gate Fulford, not Harold Godwinson.
- Error: Stating Stamford Bridge was a defeat for the English. Correction: Harold Godwinson won at Stamford Bridge, defeating and killing Hardrada and Tostig.
- Error: Ignoring the strategic link between the battles. Correction: Always link the exhaustion and location of Harold's army after Stamford Bridge to his subsequent disadvantage at Hastings.