End of an Age, Beginning of a NewCnut’s Sons

Harold Harefoot, Harthacnut

Edward the ConfessorNorman ConnectionThe Rise of GodwinHarold Godwinson

England in 1065

An International AffairHarald HardradaWilliam of NormandyTostigFlanders, Rome

1066 and All That

England in 1067, 1077, 1087

Normans Felling Trees for the Fleet, 1066; the Bayeux Tapestry

King Cnut, His Wives, His Sons

Cnut, r. 1016-35Continuity of A-S Admin.Military Men (Housecarls)1st Wife, Aelfgifu of Northampton2nd Wife, Emma of Normandy

Widow of Ethelred UnreadyContested Succession (Rivalry)

Harold Harefoot, r. 1035/7-40Son of Aelfgifu; “Regent” for H-cnutThreat of Alfred, Son of Ethelred

Harthacnut, r. 1040-2Son of Emma of NormandyExhumed, Beheaded HarefootDied Suddenly at Wedding

Encomium Emmae Reginae, 1041/2; BL, Additional MS 33241.

Edward the Confessor, r. 1042-66

Edward’s Norman ConnectionSon of Emma; Brother of AlfredRaised in Normandy; CustomsPeaceful; Religious; Generous

The Rise of GodwinEarl of Wessex under CnutDaughter (Edith) Marries EdwardVast Tracts of Land (with 2 sons)Power Rivalry with EdwardEdward Names William Heir, 1051

Harold GodwinsonSucceeds Father, 1053Good Terms with EdwardPatching up Differences

The Sick Praying for Cures at the Tomb of Edward the Confessor

England in 1065Economics

WealthyTrade; Monetary

SociallyUrban Markets“Englishness” (Unity)

GovernanceEfficient AdministrationMilitary ForcesLocal Control/Justice

International PositionStrong RealmDesired Ally Silver coins from Appledore, Kent; c. 1051/2;

The British Museum

A Kingdom Up for GrabsEdward Confessor, d. January 1066

Harold Godwinson, E. Wessex“Named” Heir at Deathbed

Harald Hardrada, K. NorwayDeal with Harthacnut, 1038

William the Bastard, D. NormandyDeal with Confessor, 1051

Tostig Godwinson, E. NorthumbriaEmbittered Rival of his Brother

Flanders, RomeCount, B-in-Law to Tostig; F-in-Law to WilliamPapal Support for William, Banner

1066 and All ThatMay: Tostig Hits South & East Coasts

Summer in Scotland, Malcolm III

July: William Waiting for a Wind7-14k Men; 3k Cavalry

Mid-Sept.: Harold’s Fyrd DepartsSouthern Harvest Season

Sept. 20: Battle of Fulford Gate; YorkNorthern Earls Defeated

Sept. 25: Battle of Stamford BridgeTostig, Hardrada Dead

Sept. 28: William in Sussex; Undefended

NB: Distance from Stamford to Hastings

The Battle of Hastings

October 14 (20)

6 Miles NorthwestSenlac Ridge

English ForcesInfantry, HousecarlsExhausted, Ill-equipped

Norman ForcesCavalry, ArchersFresh, Armored

English Position; Tactical Error

Harold’s Fall; Brother’s Fall

The Bayeux TapestryCompleted After Conquest

Propaganda Piece

Story of 1066Events and Personalities

Visual DocumentArms, Apparel, Values

The Death of King Harold II

England in 1067, ‘77, ‘871067

A Foreign KingAn Exhausted Country

1077Rebellions QuelledCities, Castles Built

1087Administration AdvancedNorman Occupation

Becoming Norman England

William and His Nobles, Armed for BattleBL, Cotton MS Claudius, D. II.