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In 1066, Harold was a key candidate to take the throne of England after the death of Edward the Confessor in January 1066. Harold was an important noble man in England who had both the support of the Witan and important earls Edwin and Morcar- the sister of whom he had also dinastically married.
Even though the accounts of Harold's oath were sketchy- it was not clear if he had been on a fishing trip (shown by the Bayeux tapestry) and blown ashore by a storm or whether he was going to release his imprisoned relatives (Hakon- Nephew and Wulfnoth- Brother) in 1064, but what we do know is that he met with William and perhaps offered him an oath over holy relics that gave William the claim to the throne (some accounts of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle say that William had met Edward in 1051 and was promised the throne due to his ties and shown ability to rule his own duchy of Normandy- giving him more reason to claim it) and that he would be his liege in order to have parts of his town fortified and one of the prisoners released.
The importance of the oath is that, Harold was condemned by William to the Pope (as the oath had been made over Holy Relics) as a perjured usurper "whom William was bound to attack and kill" [Howarth] It gave William the right to claim the throne from Harold as he had forcefully taken it and had gone back on the oath that he had made to William in 1064.
Not only did the oath give William an advantageous reason to take the throne- but it also bought him valuable papal support as claiming Harold as the perjurer and a usurper the Pope (Alexander II) offered William the papal banner- turning the conquest of England into a holy war for the throne.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe story is that Harold had gone out to sea in a boat and been driven off course. He wound up in the hands of William of Normandy (William the Conqueror), who knighted him. In the course of this, Harold is supposed to have sworn an oath to uphold William's claim to the throne, and that Harold's later acceptance of the crown had been an act that perjured his oath. The oath, of course, would have been regarded as a sacred act, putting Harold at odds with the Church and God himself. This also meant that Harold's claim on the throne was not valid.
That is the story. We have no evidence other than what was recorded by Norman chroniclers.
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How do you know about barons in 1066?
The French noblemen who followed William the Conqueror in his enterprise, were rewarded with English land grants in fief by the new king. They swore to William feudal oath becoming Barons of England.
Why did the pope support William of Normandy?
The Pope's blessing helped Duke William a lot, because by blessing the invasion the Pope was also giving it is authority, meaning that Christians tended to support the Duke. It also made it easier for him to recruit mercenaries, bolstered the morale of his troops and probably had a negative effect on King Harolds army.
Why shouldnt Harold godwinson be king?
William the Conqueror claimed that Harold swore on holy relics that he would support William's claim to the English throne, but Harold said that he had to under pain of death. I personally believe that Harold was better.
When did William become Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings?
William claimed that Edward the Confessor had promised him the throne and that Harold Godwinson had promised to support him. This meant that Harold was considered an 'oath breaker' and therefore William had the support of the Pope. After landing in Pevensey, William met Harold's army at the Battle of Hastings. At the end of fierce fighting, Harold lay dead and William proclaimed himself king of England. He then marched to London where he was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066.
Who was William the Conqueror in the Middle Ages?
He conquered England because after Edward II (the Confessor) died in 1066 without heirs, Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, claimed the throne. This wasn't acceptable to William because when Harold Godwinson was captured in France, he had to make a duress (forced) oath in front of William (over the bones of two sainted bishops) saying that he would help William in becoming King of England. William invaded England and won the Battle of Hastings, in which Harold was killed. William assumed the English throne, becoming William I.
How do you know about barons in 1066?
The French noblemen who followed William the Conqueror in his enterprise, were rewarded with English land grants in fief by the new king. They swore to William feudal oath becoming Barons of England.
Why did the pope support William of Normandy?
The Pope's blessing helped Duke William a lot, because by blessing the invasion the Pope was also giving it is authority, meaning that Christians tended to support the Duke. It also made it easier for him to recruit mercenaries, bolstered the morale of his troops and probably had a negative effect on King Harolds army.
What is important about the oath?
It is a oath that makes you the president
Why do you thing Harold godwinson should be king?
In my opinion he should have been king because Edward the confessor said he could be next in line also William the conqueror forced Harold to make an oath he didn't want to make.
Why shouldnt Harold godwinson be king?
William the Conqueror claimed that Harold swore on holy relics that he would support William's claim to the English throne, but Harold said that he had to under pain of death. I personally believe that Harold was better.
When did William become Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings?
William claimed that Edward the Confessor had promised him the throne and that Harold Godwinson had promised to support him. This meant that Harold was considered an 'oath breaker' and therefore William had the support of the Pope. After landing in Pevensey, William met Harold's army at the Battle of Hastings. At the end of fierce fighting, Harold lay dead and William proclaimed himself king of England. He then marched to London where he was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066.
Which president took the oath after the assassination of the president in 1901?
Theodore Roosevelt took the oath to be President after William McKinley was assassinated in 1901.
Who was William the Conqueror in the Middle Ages?
He conquered England because after Edward II (the Confessor) died in 1066 without heirs, Harold Godwinson, Earl of Wessex, claimed the throne. This wasn't acceptable to William because when Harold Godwinson was captured in France, he had to make a duress (forced) oath in front of William (over the bones of two sainted bishops) saying that he would help William in becoming King of England. William invaded England and won the Battle of Hastings, in which Harold was killed. William assumed the English throne, becoming William I.
What are some examples of laws created by the Kings in a feudal system?
William the Conqueror had lots of laws. An example of his laws are; He wished God to be worshiped through out his realm. That any freeman will by oath affirm his loyality to King William both in and out of England. We forbid any cattle be bought or sold except within cities and it must be before 3 witnesses.
When did Herbert take the presidential oath?
United States President Herbert Hoover took the Presidential Oath on March 4th, 1929 in the United States Capital. This oath was administered by William H. Taft.
Who was charched with lying under oath in their impeachment trial?
William Jefferson Clinton
What was Harold Godwineson's oath of 1064?
he siad he wuold give William England
