Why was Edward the Confessor's reign controversial among historians?
He was a warrior king who fought many wars to expand the kingdom.
He relied heavily on his earls to enforce his power.
He was the last Anglo-Saxon king to rule over Scotland and Wales.
He had a large family but did not name an heir.
Did this page help you?
When did Edward the Confessor die?
5th January 1066.
15th March 1065.
2nd February 1067.
1st June 1064.
Did this page help you?
Where was Edward the Confessor buried?
The Tower of London.
York Minster.
Westminster Abbey.
Canterbury Cathedral.
Did this page help you?
What important role did the Witan have in January 1066?
They compiled the Domesday Book.
They selected the next King of England.
They made key religious changes to England.
They changed England’s currency.
Did this page help you?
What was Harald Hardrada’s claim to the English throne based on?
An old claim to the throne through Harthacnut and Magnus Olafsson.
His friendship with Edward the Confessor.
His marriage to Edward's sister, Edith.
His Norman heritage.
Did this page help you?
What caused William, Duke of Normandy’s claim to the English throne?
An agreement was made in 1051 with Edward.
The exile of Tostig Godwinson.
Support from Harold Godwinson.
His conquest of England in 1050.
Did this page help you?
What title did Harold Godwinson hold before becoming king?
Earl of Northumbria.
Duke of Normandy.
Earl of Wessex.
King of Norway.
Did this page help you?
Which one of the claimants had the strongest blood connection to Edward the Confessor?
William, Duke of Normandy.
Harold Godwinson.
Harald Hardrada.
Edgar the Aethling.
Did this page help you?
What was a key reason the Witan chose Harold Godwinson as king?
He was Edward's blood relative.
He promised to conquer Normandy.
He had support from most English nobles.
He was a close ally of William of Normandy.
Did this page help you?
Which of the following was a weakness of Edgar the Aethling’s claim to the throne?
Edgar was only a teenager.
He was a Viking king.
He had no blood relation to Edward.
He had made powerful enemies among England’s nobility.
Did this page help you?
What was one reason William of Normandy believed he could successfully invade England?
He had a large, well-trained army.
He had Tostig’s support for the invasion.
He had already conquered Wales.
He had strong support in the Danelaw.
Did this page help you?
What weakened Harold Godwinson’s claim to the throne?
He had no military experience.
He was not a blood relative of Edward.
He was too young to rule.
He had no support from the other English earls.
Did this page help you?
Who became king on 6th January 1066?
Harald Hardrada.
Edgar the Aethling.
William, Duke of Normandy.
Harold Godwinson.
Did this page help you?
What was the Witan’s fear in January 1066?
An economic collapse in England.
An attack by Leofwine Godwinson.
An invasion from Normandy.
Suppressing the uprising in Northumbria.
Did this page help you?
How did Harold Godwinson’s quick coronation help the English nobility?
It allowed them to strengthen ties with Normandy.
It helped to control the people of the Danelaw, who were rebelling.
It gave the nobility more time to prepare for war.
It prevented foreign claimants from gaining support.
Did this page help you?
What made William, Duke of Normandy’s claim to the throne controversial?
He was too closely related to Edward.
He was not a skilled military leader.
He was not English and did not speak the language.
He had been promised the throne by Harold Godwinson.
Did this page help you?
What was Tostig Godwinson’s influence in the succession crisis?
He became a claimant to the English throne.
He killed his brother, Harold Godwinson.
He allied himself with William, Duke of Normandy.
He allied himself with Harald Hardrada.
Did this page help you?
Why was Edward the Confessor’s death significant for England?
It ended the Viking invasions of the Danelaw.
It caused a succession crisis with multiple claimants.
It marked the beginning of Norman rule.
It led to the union of England and Scotland.
Did this page help you?