Contenders for the throne in 1066

Where was Harald Hardrada from?

• Norway

• England

• Normandy

Tick all the reasons Harald Hardrada claimed the English throne

• He was king of Norway so he had experience

• He was the brother of King Edward's wife

• People were scared of him so he could keep them in line

• His ancestor King Cnut ruled England long before

Tick all the problems with Harald Hardrada's claim

• He was unpopular because of his taxes

• He had already promised to help William of Normandy become king

• His claim was based on a king that died 40 years beforehand

Where was Harold Godwinson from?

• Norway

• England

• Normandy

Tick Harold Godwinson's claims to the throne?

• He could get the English nobles on his side

• He said that King Edward promised he could be king

• He had the support of the Witan

• He owned lots of land around the world so knew how to rule

What were the problems with Harold Godwinson's claim?

• The only witness to King Edward's words were his sister

• He had already promised William of Normandy he could be king

• He was a weak leader

• His taxes were very high and people did not like that

Where was William the Conqueror from?

• Norway

• England

• Normandy

Tick all of William of Normandy's claims to the throne

• He was the cousin of King Edward so was royal

• King Edward promised him the throne in 1051

• His ancestors used to rule England

• He was a successful ruler and could easily run the country

Tick all the problems with William of Normandy's claims

• Just because Edward was his cousin does not mean he gets to be king

• People did not like Normans and so would reject him

• Norman sources say that Godwinson had already been given the throne

• He was a weak and ineffective leader

What sign appeared over England that signified a great change?

• A cloud in the shape of the devil

• A storm

• A whirlpool in the ocean

• Halley's Comet