The Power of Anglo-Saxon Monarchs (Edexcel GCSE History)

Who was Edward the Confessor? - Summary

Edward the Confessor became the King of England in 1042. He had spent much of his childhood living in Normandy. Edward's family was exiled from England after Vikings took over the throne of his father, Æthelred the Unready, in 1013. Edward's father died in 1016. Edward's mother was remarried to the Viking King of England, King Cnut. Edward became king when his step-brother, King Harthacnut, died unmarried and with no children in 1042.

Historians note how peaceful and successful England was under Edward's reign. English earldoms fought occasionally with Scotland and Wales. England's economy and legal system flourished. English merchants traded well with foreign powers.

Edward's background caused issues during and after his reign. His childhood in Normandy meant that Edward invited Norman friends to the royal court. This angered his English earls, especially the earls of Mercia and Wessex. Edward's connection to the Vikings also caused difficulties. Some Scandinavian kings believed that Vikings should still rule England. Edward's claim to the English throne came from a Viking King of England.

What Powers and Duties did Anglo-Saxons Have?

• As king, Edward had many powers and the people in turn had duties to the king

  • Powers are the areas of society that Edward had control over

  • Duties are what Edward insisted that the people did in Anglo-Saxon England

Powers of the king

Duties of the people

How Powerful was Edward the Confessor?

• Edward had the respect of his people through two aspects of his personality:

1. Edward was a gifted law-maker

   • Edward introduced laws that helped resolve long-standing family feuds

   • This approach brought more peace into Anglo-Saxon society

2. Edward was pious

   • People believed that, when the church anointed Edward, he became God's representative on Earth

   • England was prosperous. People saw this as a sign that Edward had God's blessing to rule the country

• Edward was not a warrior king

  • Most Anglo-Saxon monarchs were war leaders

    • They gave land and gifts to their soldiers after military victories

    • Victories would increase a king's authority over his people 

    • Defeats would reduce a king's authority over his people

  • Edward relied on his earls to:

    • Ensure that thegns provided soldiers

    • Lead a military force in battle

Limits to the King's Power in Anglo-Saxon England

Limitation One: The Danelaw

• For centuries, Vikings had settled in large parts of Northern England

  • Parts of England had a large Anglo-Danish community

• Areas with a high Anglo-Danish population wanted a different style of government

  • They accepted Edward as king but wanted their local leaders to have more power

• The north of England established the Danelaw

  • The Danelaw was the area that used Danish laws and customs to govern

Where was the Danelaw?

Why did the Danelaw limit the king's power?

• Edward had to respect the Danelaw

  • If Edward refused to allow Danish laws, the Anglo-Danish community could rebel

    • Vikings in Scandinavia would support this rebellion 

• It made administration hard for Edward

  • The people in the Danelaw spoke a different language

  • Peasants and ceorls had more freedom

  • They paid less tax to Edward

Limitation Two: The Earl of Wessex

• The Earl of Wessex was Godwin

• Wessex was the richest earldom in England 

  • The House of Godwin was as rich as the king

  • The land that the family owned made it a powerful military force

Why was the Earl of Wessex a limit to the king's power?

• He had already attempted to rebel

  • In c1051, Edward exiled Godwin

    • Edward asked Godwin to punish Dover after they attacked an embassy from Boulogne. Godwin refused

    • Disloyalty towards the king was a serious crime. Edward ordered the earls of Northumbria and Mercia to force Godwin out of England

• Godwin's power intimidated Edward

  • Godwin returned from exile in 1052 with an army

  • Godwin forced Edward to give the earldom of Wessex back to him

    • Edward's acceptance undermined his power as king