The Death of Edward the Confessor (AQA GCSE History)

Summary

Edward the Confessor’s marriage to Edith from the House of Godwin did not produce any children. This meant there was no obvious heir to the throne which led to a succession crisis. This was caused by four competing claims for the throne. The complex customs and conventions around inheritance and who should succeed a king after his death led to conflict between the four claimants ending with the Battle of Hastings.

What caused the death of Edward the Confessor?

• According to contemporary accounts, Edward fell ill and slipped in and out of a coma during the final weeks of 1065

  • He died on 5th January 1066

Rules of inheritance in Anglo-Saxon England

• There were no set rules when it came to succession in Anglo-Saxon England

  • Things were further complicated by the English and Normans having different customs when it came to naming successors

• A king’s eldest son was generally seen as having the strongest claim to the throne

  • Other male relatives, such as the dead king’s brother, might sometimes be seen as being a more successful ruler so their claim might gather supporters

  • The male relatives of previous kings frequently also believed they were entitled to claim the throne

• The Witan was often required to judge the strength of the competing claims before naming their chosen successor

• In some cases, a king would name his chosen successor before his death

  • This solemn promise was known as a post obitum  - which means “after one’s death” in Latin

  • A king could also name his chosen successor ‘on his death bed’ in the moments before he died

    • This was known as novissima verba and is a Latin phrase meaning ‘final words’

• According to English customs, the novissima verba overruled any promises that had been made before

• According to Norman customs, the post obitum could not be undone or overruled once it had been made

• Despite these customs, the claimant with the strongest army often forced their way to the throne

  • This is often referred to as ‘might is right’

Why did Edward the Confessor’s death cause a succession crisis?

• The death of a king often led to several competing claims from potential successors particularly if the king did not have any children

• The death of Edward the Confessor led to an even greater crisis than usual for several reasons:

  • Edward died childless so there was no obvious heir

  • The Normans claimed Edward had promised the Throne to William in a post obitum

  • Harold Godwinson claimed the Throne had been promised to him as Edward lay dying in a novissima verba