In 1066 King Edward the Confessor died. He had no son to take over as king. As he lay dying, he said that Harold Godwinson, an English earl, should be king after him (at least, that’s what Harold said, we don’t really know). Despite this, two other people claimed the throne of England. They both invaded in 1066.
At this time in England, kings were elected by the most powerful English earls. If a strong king had a suitable son, then the son was likely to get elected. If not, the earls chose the strongest person with a claim to the throne. Edward may have named Harold Godwinson, but the earls did not have to accept him. There were several people who claimed the right to be the next king after Edward.
Each one wanted to be the most powerful! |
