Harold's Rule: The Normans: conquest and control: History: GCSE (9:1)

The crowning of a king. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Stigand, crowned Harold given him legitimacy as it was believed God had given him the authority to rule.

The Witan were able to play a role in choosing who would be the next king. They chose Harold Godwinson.

Harold Godwinson crowned King of England. The day after Edward the Confessor died.

Earl of Mercia and an important ally of Harold Godwinson

Earl of Northumbria and an important ally of Harold Godwinson

those who believed they had the right to rule England instead of Harold Godwinson.

The length of time that Harold Godwinson ruled England

Sister to Edwin, Earl of Mercia and Morcar, Earl of Northumbria who Harold Godwinson married in 1065 to cement their alliance.

Aware of William's plans to invade, Harold raised the fyrd to defend the English coast in the summer of 1066

An army made up of peasants and freemen who served the king or their earl when needed.

With supplied getting low and men needed to get the harvest in, Harold dismissed the fyrd in September 1066.

A small band of experienced and well armed professional soldiers loyal to Harold Godwinson

Harold did not have a navy so he demanded ships from across the country and the seamen to sail them. He stationed them off the south coast to repel a Norman invasion.

The Normans were expected to invade the south coast in the summer of 1066.

Tostig's attack on the south coast in the summer of 1066 ensured that Harold kept the fyrd in the south.

William's claim to the throne gained support from the Pope who gave him a flag to show that God was on the side of the Normans when they invaded