From Vikings to Edward

A wealthy country

• England had rich mineral resources and fertile faming land - farmers produced wheat, rye, barley and oats along with animal products.

• Wool trade was thriving - the cloth was highly valued in Europe.

• Christian country

• English towns = good source of taxes as efficient administration = attractive for invaders.

The Viking connection

• 10th century - England faced constant Viking raids

• The English’s plan was to pay the Vikings to leave - these payments were called Danegeld. However every year the Vikings would come back for more.

• The raids increased until 1013 when the Vikings began a full scale invasion and the English King Aethelred was defeated and killed by Canute in October 1016.

• Canute then murdered most of Aethelred’s family - despite this England was relatively peaceful and prosperous under Canute’s rule for the next 20 years.

The Norman connection

• Aethelred’s widow, Emma and his two surviving sons escaped to Normandy where they were protected by their uncle, Richard the duke of Normandy.

• Richard raised the sons in the Norman court but forced Emma to return to England and marry Canute - this was to make sure the Normans had some influence in England.

• This also was good for Canute because marrying the old King’s widow made him seem more English.

The English earldoms

• England was only a small part of the empire ruled by Canute.

• To make sure the country was effectively controlled while he was away he divided England into 4 earldoms: Wessex, Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia.

• The earls became the next most powerful men in the country and the earl of Wessex (Earl Godwin) the most powerful of the four.

Edward’s path to the throne

• When Canute died it was unclear who should rule next - the idea of the eldest son being the heir didn’t apply then.

• Two of Canute’s sons each had short reigns - Harefoot died in 1040 and his brother Harthacanute became an unpopular king

• In 1014 Harthacanute invited Edward to England - He ascended to the throne of England in June 1042 when Harthacanute died suddenly while drinking at a wedding feast.

• The Vikings were losing interest in England and their empire was under attack by the Scandinavians.

• Edward was officially crowned king on the 3rd of April 1043

• In 1045 Edward married Earl Godwin’s daughter Edith - this secured the support of the most powerful English earl.

Edward the Confessor and the Godwin family

• Relations between the Godwins and Edward were tense despite marriage - In 1051 the Godwins repelled but they were exiled by Edward and the Earls of Northumbria and Mercia. Edward appointed more Normans in his court in response.

• The English advisers, the Witan resented this and encouraged Godwin and his army to come back to England who forced Edward to expel Norman advisors and restore Godwin to his to his previous position.

• Edward turned out to be a weak ruler, taking less interest in governing England and preferring to focus on religion - he built Westminster Abbey.

Harold Godwinson: The home-grown strongman

• Harold Godwinson was not a blood relation of Edward but his brother-in-law.

• For years the Godwins were the most powerful family in England - they tried , but failed to overthrow Edward in 1051. Due to this they were exiled, but allowed to come back a year later

• In 1053 Harold inherited his father’s earldom, making him the richest man in England.

• Apparently Edward’s dying wish was for Harold to become king of England though William disagreed saying Harold had sworn a scared oath of allegiance to support William to claim the throne. However Harold denied this saying he had been threated and the oath wasn't binding.

An uneasy king

• Edward the confessor died on the 5th of January 1066 - the next day Harold was crowned King of England.

• Harold was popular with the English lords and was soon to be married to Ealdgyth - the sister of the powerful Earls Edwin and Morcar.

• Harold , despite being a respected warrior and very wealthy man, he knew he would face challenges on the throne. That’s why he was so hasty to get crowned as king.

• One main issue he face was that Harold’s rivals for the throne were still there across the sea in Normandy and Norway.