The Great Turning Points of British History Read Online Free PDF Page A

recognition.
    In the 1060s, England had for a generation been a comparatively peaceful kingdom under Edward the Confessor (1042–66). A handful of great earldoms connected local with national society; by the 1060s these were dominated by the Godwinesons, Edward’s brothers-in-law (he was married to their sister, Edith) – Harold, Tostig, Gyrth and Leofwine – leaving only Mercia held by Edwin, grandson to Earl Leofric. However, Edward was clearly failing in midwinter 1065 and Westminster Abbey was hurriedly consecrated. ‘Languishing from the sickness of soul’, the king died on 4 January and was buried there the next day. The Bayeux Tapestry shows the old king, distinguished by his crown, shaggy hair and beard, as he extends his hand to his kneeling brother-in-law Harold. Edward’s
Life
, written soon after, suggests that Edward commended ‘this woman [the queen] and all the kingdom to your protection’, and every version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle offers something similar. It seems likely, therefore, that Edward nominated Harold as his heir. In 1051/2, however, he had also apparently promised the succession to his maternal cousin, William of Normandy, but Edward’s Norman friends had lost influence since and William had virtually no support in England.
    Harold had the backing of every significant political group and of the English Church, and moved rapidly. He was crowned Harold II in Westminster Abbey on the same day that Edward was entombed. But he was not secure. Aside from William of Normandy, one or more Scandinavian claimants could be expected, as a result of the Danish occupation of the English throne from 1016 to 1042. Harald Hardrada of Norway had an awesome reputation and had already despatched a fleet to intervene in English politics in 1058, but his opponent, Swein of Denmark, had the better claim. Harold could also expect opposition from his brother Tostig, who in 1065 had, at Harold’s instigation, been exiled from his earldom of Northumbria after a rebellion, and replaced by Edwin of Mercia’s brother, Morcar. Harold’s marriage to Edwin and Morcar’s sister tied these two to his own candidacy at the price of excluding his brother.
    On his accession Harold II was around 40, had a clutch of sons, had long been premier earl and was the only figure in England with a military reputation. He took control of the English administration, issuing coinage and sending out writs and charters. The combining of his own estates with those of the crown and Tostig made him far wealthier than his predecessor and there was no scope for opposition from England’s Celtic neighbours or his own aristocracy.
    Harold sent messengers to Normandy to inform William of Edward’s death. The duke responded by claiming the throne and demanding that Harold honour his oath to support William’s succession, which – according to Norman sources – Harold had made during a journey to the Continent around 1064. William then set about mobilizing forces and building a fleet. Additionally he conducted a diplomatic offensive, gaining the support of the pope and the emperor.
    By late spring Harold had gathered substantial forces and was poised to withstand invasion. Halley’s Comet appeared in late April 1066, and was perhaps interpreted as indicative of great events to come. William was delayed by the sheer scale of his preparations, so it was Harold’s brother, Earl Tostig, who was the first outsider to appear. He had been at the court of Flanders and it was with a small Flemish fleet that he arrived off the Isle of Wight, recruiting men and raising supplies from his old estates. He then ravaged eastwards as far as Sandwich. Harold’s departure from London with an army drove Tostig northwards, but he was again chased off by Edwin and Morcar. Tostig’s Flemish forces abandoned him and he fled northwards to Malcolm, king of the Scots and an old ally.
    Harold’s forces remained ready throughout the summer but were stood down as