Three Contenders for the English throne led to the Battle of HastingsThe Saxon Harold, was born about 1022 had became Earl of East Anglia in 1045. Along with his father, he was banished from the kingdom in 1051 after staging an unsuccessful rebellion against the king, Edward the Confessor. Harold and his father returned, landing an invasionary force in the south of England in 1052. They received great popular support, and in the face of this, the King was forced to restore the Godwins to favor in 1053. Harold succeeded his father as Earl of Wessex in late 1053 - relinquishing the earldom of East Anglia, and from 1053 to 1066 was chief minister of Edward the Confessor. Toward the end of the reign of Edward the Confessor their were three competitors for the English crown, as Edward had no heirs. The three potential Kings were: - Harald Hardrada, King of Norway, his claim was based on an alleged agreement between King Hardicanute and King Magnus
- Duke William of Normandy
- The Saxon Harold, son of Godwin, Earl of Wessex
For further information and facts about the Claims to the English throne in 1066 and Biographies of all the main contenders click the following link: Claims to the throne of England in 1066 The three different contenders for the throne of England resulted in wars and led to the Battle of Hastings. Read the enthralling story in full detail by clicking the NEXT link at the bottom of the page. |