Edward Dies
King Edward died on 5 January 1066.
The next day, Harold Godwinson was crowned king by the Witan.
What Was the Witan?
The Witan was a council of important English nobles and church leaders.
The Witan had the power to choose the next king.
They selected Harold because:
- He was the most powerful noble in England
- He was an experienced soldier
- He was already leading England’s defence
- He was an Anglo-Saxon noble, not a foreign ruler
Why William Was Furious
William, Duke of Normandy, believed Edward had promised him the throne years earlier.
William also claimed that Harold had sworn an oath to support William’s claim.
According to Norman sources, Harold had promised this while visiting Normandy.
When Harold became king instead, William believed he had been betrayed.
Harold knew William would probably invade because:
- William believed the throne belonged to him
- William was already gathering ships and soldiers
- The Pope supported William’s claim
- Normandy was only across the English Channel
Harold spent much of 1066 preparing England’s southern coast for invasion.