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Succession Crisis - 1066 - Coggle Diagram
Succession Crisis - 1066
Edward the Confessor died childless on 5th January 1066, leaving no direct heir to the throne. Four people all thought they had a legitimate right to be King.
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Family Ties
Harold Godwinson - Harold was Edward's brother-in-law, but there was no blood connection.
William - William was a cousin of Edward the Confessor, through Edward's mother Emma, who was William's great-aunt
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Edgar Atheling - Edgar was the great-nephew of Edward the Confessor and was the last Anglo-Saxon prince alive after his father was killed in 1057
Promises
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Harald Hardrada - 1066 - Tostig Godwinson invited Harald to join him in rebelling against his brother Harold Godwinson to secure the English Throne.
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Political realities.
Harold Godwinson - recognised as bein the most powerful man in England after Edward's death. He succeeded his powerful father as Earl of Wessex in 1053.
William - ambitious and powerful ruler in Normandy. Wanted to build up his power, so the Normans could have a great empire, like their Viking ancestors.
Harald Hardrada - famous Viking warrior and skilled commander. He already had secure control over his own land.
Edgar Atheling - He was only a teenager, but the closest blood relative. He was not considered strong enough to hold the Kingdom together in 1066.
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