Britain 1066–1500

Three Men and a Crown

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Learning objectives
Learning objectives

• Why was there a problem with the

succession in 1066?

• Who wanted the English throne?

• Who do you think had the best claim to

the throne?
• Create an election campaign for one of
the 3 men who wanted to be king.

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Succession crisis, 1066

On January 4 1066 King Edward the

Confessor died of illness and old age.

According to the usual laws of

succession, when an old king died he
was succeeded by his eldest son.

Unfortunately, Edward the Confessor had no

son. Although he had been married, he was
an intensely pious man and had taken a vow
of chastity. The question of who should be the
next king was therefore a matter for dispute.
Why might this cause trouble in England?
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The contenders

There were three main rivals for the throne.

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The contenders

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Staking a claim

Each of the contenders for the throne had to

appear before the Witenagemot and present
their claim. The Witenagemot was a kind of
parliament made up of the noblemen
and senior clergy. In the absence of
a clear successor, these men had
the power to elect a new king.

The claims were based on two main factors: the

relationship of each man to the late King Edward, and the
alleged promises he made to each man.

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Harold Godwinson’s claim

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William of Normandy’s claim

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Harald Hardraada’s claim

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Kingmaker

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Three men and a crown: questions

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 Your Task

You are going to run an election campaign for

one of these candidates to the throne.

Get into groups on 3/4. One of you will be the

election candidate (your teacher will tell you
who yours is.) What might you have to do to
run a successful election campaign?

You must use the sheets to help you!

Good luck ☺

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 Election campaign ideas

Flyers
Posters

Rosettes
or
badges

Speeches
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 You need to be a team worker
During this task you need to...

⚫ Work together as a team

⚫ Reach agreements and organise who plays which part

⚫ show fairness and consideration to others 

⚫ listen to ideas and suggestions from other people and

take account of different views.

⚫ Do not get out of your seats unless you have permission

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 The rivals for the throne

After the death of King Edward, each man had to

persuade the Witan, a group of powerful Englishmen, that
he had the right to be king.

Using the evidence you have seen, give your opinion on who should
be King.
“In my opinion I think ________should be the next king, and
I have the following evidence to support my claim…”
“The other opponents should not be King because………..”

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 So who did become king?

With three men all wanting to become king, Harold

Godwinson decided that the smart thing to do would be to
get himself crowned king, as he was the only contender in
England.

“Harold, son of Earl Godwin, was chosen

king by the chief noblemen of England…”
As described by an English monk, Florence of
Worcester (1115).

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 Plenary

True/ false
⚫ Edward the confessor died in 1065

⚫ There were three claims to the throne

⚫ William was from Normandy

⚫ Harold Godwinson was from Norway

⚫ Harold Hardrada had support from people in the North

⚫ William was related to Edward

⚫ Harold Godwinson made a promise to William about the crown

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 Plenary

At the start of the lesson An important Question I

I did not know that..... want to ask is......

The thing I most enjoyed One thing I liked about

about today’s lesson is.... working in a group....

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