Notes

england in the 11th sentury was one of the best governed and welfiest states in all europe there were plenty of silver coins in circulation and food was generaally plentiful the counry was ruled by anglo-saxons having fought off vikings for hundreds of years and local sherrifs ment people usualy felt safe and secure but on 5th janurary 1066 king edward the confessor put england in terrible danger he died without leaving a son and heir this was a disaster it left the country vulnerble to attack from claimants for the prized english crown the new king would need to be chosen by the witan the kings councuillors an assembly of powerful nobles but there were four people who each balived he was the most entitled on the throne so who will the withern chosse

Harold Godwinson
earl of wessex

king edwards brother-in-law

had been the kings chancellor
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William of Duke Normandy

distant cousin of king edward

edward the confessor had known him well

a norman

king edward had named him heir
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Harald Hardrada

king of norway

hardrada= hard ruler

viking warrrior

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Edgar the aetheling

saxons prince

great-nephew of king edward

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Key points
1066 is one of the most famous years in English history. It included the death of two kings, two invasions, and consequences that would last for hundreds of years.
The death of Edward the Confessor in January 1066 started a year of turmoil.
Four key contenders all had strong claims to become the next king of England.