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Why did Edward theConfesser promise William of Normandy the thrown of England?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
There is no definitive answer to this question, and never will be. The original sources are contradictory, and the interpretations are many.
As Edward lay dying, he made an ambiguous statement to a group of people (including Harold Godwinson) in which he said Harold should basically take care of the kingdom after Edward was dead. However, that is not the same thing as saying Harold should be "King". Harold was already running England under Edward's rule, in a role comparable to a modern prime minister. Harold was not of noble blood, so according to the custom of the time, he would not normally have been considered. (Also, it was not up to the King to name the successor; at that time, the Anglo-Saxon custom was for the Witan, a collection of prominent members of society, to advise the king and pick his successor. Obviously he would have had much influence, though).
On the other side, William of Normandy had visited England in 1051, and in a meeting with Edward, Edward promised William he would be the next King. The reasons are complex, but, basically, Normandy was a staging ground for Viking raids on England, and Edward got William's agreement to help shut that down in return for the succession. Also, Harold was either sent to Normandy in 1064 to confirm this promise (which is how it's laid out in the Bayeux Tapestry) or got shipwrecked there, or may have gone to retrieve a couple of hostages. While there, he promised William with his hand on holy relics (a big deal back then) that he would support William's claim.
The minor complication in the above story is that Edward apparently promised the kingdom to William and then gave it to Harold. The major complication is that Edward did not have a right to do either.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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What did king Harold of England break that inspired William of Normandy to invade England?
a promise
What did William duke of Normandy promise Harold godwinson if he helped William become king?
he promised to chop off his ear(he is picassos great grandad, it runs in the family)
Why did William of Normandy change England?
England was a wealthy settled and successful kingdom with established laws and a complex system of taxation. Normandy was a dukedom and William was faced with constant intrigue including threats to his rule, position and life. In order to successfully mount an invasion of England, William required the support of the Norman ruling class i.e. the knights and their followers. He enlisted this support with the promise of gifting them new land and treasures in England. This in turn ensured that Norman rule and Norman laws would be imposed from the outset. William was also determined to wipe out all traces of Anglo-Saxon culture and in doing so, further reduce the risk of prolonged organised resistance
What promise did Harold make to William?
William contended that Edward the Confessor, who had spent much of his life in exile in Normandy during the Danish occupation of England, had promised him the throne when he visited Edward in London in 1052.Further, William claimed that Harold had pledged allegiance to him in 1064 when he rescued the shipwrecked Harold from the count of Ponthieu. This pledge of allegiance is tantamount to agreeing that William should become King on Edward's Death.
Who were next in line after Edward the Confessor?
In the year 1066, there were four people who held, or claimed, the title "King of England." Edward the Confessor had been King since 8th June 1042, and he died on 5th January 1066. He was immediately succeeded by Harold Godwinson, a powerful nobleman from the House of Wessex. Harold claimed that Edward the Confessor had promised the Crown to him. William, Duke of Normandy, also claimed that Edward had promised the Crown to him - both claims may be true, it is possible that Edward had made the same promise to both men. In October 1066, William of Normandy invaded England and famously defeated and killed Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066. He not only proclaimed himself King, but claimed ownership of all the land in England "by right of conquest." The Wittan, an early forerunner of Parliament, claimed that Edgar the Atheling, a grandson of an earlier English King, should inherit the Crown, but accepted William as King a few weeks after the Battle. William's coronation as King William I, took place on Christmas Day 1066.
What did king Harold of England break that inspired William of Normandy to invade England?
a promise
Why did William of Normandy knights go to England with him?
As Duke of Normandy, William was the overlord of the Norman barons. These men were considered the Duke's vassals and were obligated to take up arms and provide soldiers and supplies for him in any conflict or war he became involved in. The invasion of England also brought the promise of spoils of war---money, properties and titles taken by William, who would then reward those men who had assisted him.
What did William duke of Normandy promise Harold godwinson if he helped William become king?
he promised to chop off his ear(he is picassos great grandad, it runs in the family)
Why should hardrada not be king?
He promised William to support him and he broke that promise so he might break a promise to England :(
What Edward the confessor influence on British society?
The most profound influence that Edward the Confessor (King of England) had on British society was his precipitation of of the Battle of Hastings because of his failure to keep his promise to name William of Normandie as his successor to the English Crown.Edward reneged on the agreement, named Harald Godwineson his successor, and William of Normandy invaded England, becoming William the Conqueror (King William I). British society was forever altered from that time on.The rest is history.
Why did William of Normandy change England?
England was a wealthy settled and successful kingdom with established laws and a complex system of taxation. Normandy was a dukedom and William was faced with constant intrigue including threats to his rule, position and life. In order to successfully mount an invasion of England, William required the support of the Norman ruling class i.e. the knights and their followers. He enlisted this support with the promise of gifting them new land and treasures in England. This in turn ensured that Norman rule and Norman laws would be imposed from the outset. William was also determined to wipe out all traces of Anglo-Saxon culture and in doing so, further reduce the risk of prolonged organised resistance
What did William III promise when he became king of England?
To observe people's rights and work with Parliament
The king of England between 1042-1066?
In 1066 the country of England was conquered by the army of William, Duke of Normandy who established himself as William I, King of England. But William was not the first king of England. The first was Egbert back in 800 AD or so and there had been 24 kings of England from then until William arrived. Remember one of William's soldiers supposedly killed the previous king, King Harold, by shooting him in the eye with an arrow. More information In the year 1066, there were four people who held, or claimed, the title "King of England." Edward the Confessor had been King since 8th June 1042, and he died on 5th January 1066. He was immediately succeeded by Harold Godwinson, a powerful nobleman from the House of Wessex. Harold claimed that Edward the Confessor had promised the Crown to him. William, Duke of Normandy, also claimed that Edward had promised the Crown to him - both claims may be true, it is possible that Edward had made the same promise to both men. In October 1066, William of Normandy invaded England and famously defeated and killed Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings on 14th October 1066. He not only proclaimed himself King, but claimed ownership of all the land in England "by right of conquest." The Wittan, an early forerunner of Parliament, claimed that Edgar the Atheling, a grandson of an earlier English King, should inherit the Crown, but accepted William as King a few weeks after the Battle. William's coronation as King William I, took place on Christmas Day 1066.
What document did William and Mary agree to sign as a precondition for becoming the King and Queen of England?
William and Mary agreed to sign the English Bill of Rights as a precondition for becoming king and queen of England -Joseph Esclavon
What promise did Harold make to William?
William contended that Edward the Confessor, who had spent much of his life in exile in Normandy during the Danish occupation of England, had promised him the throne when he visited Edward in London in 1052.Further, William claimed that Harold had pledged allegiance to him in 1064 when he rescued the shipwrecked Harold from the count of Ponthieu. This pledge of allegiance is tantamount to agreeing that William should become King on Edward's Death.
Why Harold hardrada should not be king?
He promised William to support him and he broke that promise so he might break a promise to England :(
Why did edward the confessor promise William to be heir to the throne?
Normandy had actually helped Edward in the past so he felt it was right to pay the Normans back by giving the throne to William. He had no children to lend it to but Harald Hadrada and Harold Godwineson wanted the throne as well as many other people
