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Normans Revision Mindmap

Claimants to the Throne

Edgar Aetheling

The nearest blood relative to Edward the Confessor

15 years old at the time

Great Nephew to Edward

1057 - Edward named Edgar's father heir

WEAKNESSES: Lacked support, knowledge and experience to become king.

No money, no soldiers or
military experience.

Harald Hardrada

King of Norway

Viking Warrior

Harthacanute named Magnus as his successor, but given to Edward the confessor instead

WEAKNESSES: No blood relation to the king

William, Duke of Normandy

Distant cousin of Kind Edward

Edward the Confessor knew him 25 years prior to his coronation.

STRENGTH: Edward named him heir before his death

Normans believed promises made before death to be more important than deathbed promises

STRENGTH: Hand many supporters (inc. pope and backing of God)

STRENGTH: Claimed in 1064, Harold had sworn loyalty to him on sacred relics

Illegitimate heir

Helped protect Edward from the Godwinson rebellion.

Harold Godwinson

Son of Earl Godwin

Anglo-saxon. earl of Wessex

Edward's brother in law

He was the king's chancellor

Had alliances with all major nobles of England

Edward married Harold's sister, Edith

STRENGTH: Promised throne on deathbed

English believed promises on deathbed to be more important than prior promises

Had the support the the witan and English nobles

Battles of 1066

Gate Fulford

20th September 1066

Between Harold Hardrada and Harold Godwinson

VICTORY: Vikings

Troops stations in South fearing attack from Normans. Didn't happen

Helped by Tostig Godwinson (Harold's brother) - unpopular

10000 men and 300 ships brought over

Took place next to the river Ouse

Hardrada placed weakest men to fight with English. But hid best men out of sight to creep round and fight the English from behind.

This trapped the English in the marsh. 150 hostages were exchanged. More to be delivered at Stamford Bridge

Corpses used as pathways on marshland

High death toll

Why did he win?

Topography

Viking attacks had fatal results

Sent the English into the swamp, ditch or the river

Opposition

Edwin and Morcar were young and inexperienced.

They had 6000 against 9000 (Normans)

Stamford Bridge

25th September 1066

Between Harold Hardrada and Harold Godwinson

VICTORY: English

Hardrada and his troops were relaxing and waiting upon the delivery of the remaining hostages

Godwinson sorted an army and then set off to Stamford Bridge. He also gained more men along the way.

Hardrada left armour in their ships (25km away)

Made up of Huscarls (trained knights) and Fyrd (common soldiers)

Their success was because the Vikings were relaxing and it was a surprise attack

Viking berserker killed 40 Englishmen and stopped them crossing the bridge

King Harold tried to persuade his brother to swap sides

Hardrada struck in the throat by arrow. Norwegians fled.

Hardrada's son, Olaf, gave himself in to the king. Harold allowed Olaf to return to Norway and promised never to invade again

Why did he win?

Topography

Godwinson could approach undetected because there was a small hill

Other information

Housecarls were extremely skilled