Harold Godwinson
Origin, culture, language
Connection to Edward the Confessor ?
Your disadvantages in the competition for the throne of England
The reasons why you should be the king of England
Age, status (social or political position)
Born in 1022, he is 44 years old.
Edward's brother-in-law
No blood connection as he married Edward's sister.
Edward trusted Harold and probably promise him the throne after 1053.
He is Earl of Wessex. It means he controlled all Southern England.
Most powerful man in England after Edward's death.
Edward hated Harold's father, Godwin because he refused to obey to a royal command
He was supported by the Witan.
Earl of Wessex
Anglo-Saxon
William, Duke of Normandy
Origin, culture, language
Connection to Edward the Confessor ?
Your disadvantages in the competition for the throne of England
The reasons why you should be the king of England
Age, status (social or political position)
He was born in 1028. He is 38 years old.
He is Edward's cousin.
Descendant from the Vikings who conquered Normandy.
He adopted the French culture.
Edward promised him that he would be his successor en 1051.
Harold Godwinson also promised him the throne in 1064.
He is an ambitious and powerful ruler in Normandy. He wanted to spread this power to England to build a great Empire.
He is a bastard.
Duke of Normandy
Harald Hardrada
Origin, culture, language
Connection to Edward the Confessor ?
Your disadvantages in the competition for the throne of England
The reasons why you should be the king of England
Age, status (social or political position)
He was born in 1015. He is 51 years old.
No blood ties.
He is a Viking chief
King of Norway
He is ambitious and a rather successful fighter.
He is allied with Tostig Godwinson, Harold's brother.
His own land is secured.
He didn't have any ties with the English royal family or with any noble men in England. He just wanted to conquer England to spread his power.
Edgar Atheling
Origin, culture, language
Connection to Edward the Confessor ?
Your disadvantages in the competition for the throne of England
The reasons why you should be the king of England
Age, status (social or political position)
He was born in 1051. He was 15 years old.
Edward's great nephew.
Anglo-Saxon prince
Edward probably wanted an Anglo-Saxon prince to succeed him.
Too young to hold the kingdom
No political power
He had the strongest blood ties with Edward.
Anglo-Saxon