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what was Anglo-Saxon England like? (what it was like (highly sought after…
what was Anglo-Saxon England like?
what it was like
highly sought after
rich in natural rescources
before
1066
: series of territories ruled by AS chiefs until united by
Alfred the Great
in
C9th
under AS Kings Eng. rich in
agriculture, fertile land, strong wool trade
2 mil
people pop. by
1066
, most in
South
C. church incredibly powerful,
spiritual & political influence
Eng. divided into
6 Earldoms
contesting nations in 1066
Vikings
skilled sailors
, travelled long distances
mans land divided between sons when died, so got smaller. Needed new place to settle
connection to England:
from 900's constant raids on Eng. -Paid
Danegold
to leave, didn't work. -
1013
Full scale invasion. AS king
Aethelred defeated Viking King Canute
, ruled 20 yrs peaceful
Normans
ind. country ruled by a Duke, from Vikings, settled in
911
, wealthy looking to expand
warlike,
strong military culture
connection to England:
Aethelred's widow, Emma
and sons
(Alfred and Edward)
flee to Normandy to uncle
Duke Richard
- forces
Emma
to marry
Canute
in
1017
, N influence in Eng.
power of
Eng. Earl's:
most powerful in Eng. after King, most powerful
Earl of Wessex
for most 1000's, Wessex held by
Godwin family
why was there contest for the throne in 1066
Harthacanute (Canute's son):
-King of Eng. 1040-1042, bad and popular -AS Earls try to rebel
To win popularity, invites
Edward
in Normandy to return to Eng. and success him, becomes King in
1042
Edward:
knows
Godwinson's
powerful, marries Earl's daughter in
1045
to ease tension, fails
1051:
Godwin rebels against
Edward
and is exiled w/ son
Harold
. To secure position,
Edward** appoints N's into his court
The Witan (King's advisor)
don't like this force
Edward
to ask
Godwin
to return
By late
1050's
King Edward
exposed as weak, focus more on religion
Harold Godwinson
appointed as
sub-regulus
, did most running, did good job
5 Jan 1066
Edward
dies w/ no heir
succession beliefs
English
: - King's
dying words
more imp. than prior promises
Norman
- King's
earlier promises final
, cannot be undone even on death bed
English King ideals
1)
related
to previous King
2)supported by
English Lords
3) supported by
Church
4)
wealthy and powerful
to protect Eng.
Harold Godwinson
crowned
6 Jan 1066
(same day
Edward's
funeral