1066: three kings in one year
1 / King Cnut / Viking prince who conquered England and was crowned king in 1016.2 / Harthacnut / Cnut’s son, who succeeded him as king of England but died childless in 1042.
3 / Heir / A person who inherits the property or position of someone who has died.
4 / Edward the Confessor / Anglo-Saxon king of England from 1042until his death in 1066 without an heir.
5 / Aetheling / Anglo-Saxon word which means ‘throne-worthy’.
6 / Edgar Aetheling / King Edward’s great nephew, descended from the Anglo-Saxon royal family. Not considered for the throne in 1066 because he was only 14 years old.
7 / Harold Godwinson / Powerful earl of Wessex and King Edward’s brother-in-law. Crowned king of England in January 1066, the day after Edward’s death. His reign lasts less than a year, ending with his death in the battle of Hastings.
8 / Duke William of Normandy / King Edward’s second cousin who had been promised the throne of England both by Edward and Harold Godwinson.Conquers England in 1066.
9 / Harold Hardrada / King of Norway who invades England in 1066 but is killed at the battle of Stamford Bridge.
10 / Tostig Godwinson / Younger brother of Harold Godwinson who was earl of Northumbria until he was sent into exile by King Edward. Tries to regain power by allying with Hardrada in his invasion of England.
11 / Battle of Fulford / Battle fought on 20th September 1066, in which Harold Hardrada and Tostig defeat the army led by the Anglo-Saxon earls Edwin and Morcar. This convinces the city of York to surrender and hand over hostages to Hardrada.
12 / Battle of Stamford Bridge / Battle fought near York on 25th September 1066 between Harold Hardrada and King Harold of England. Hardrada is caught by surprise and unprepared for battle. Both Hardrada and Tostig are killed.
13 / Battle of Hastings / Closely fought battle between William of Normandy and King Harold on 14th October 1066, which is won by William when Harold is killed in the early evening.
14 / Shield wall / Defensive tactic used by the English during the battle of Hastings. Housecarls lined up with their shields held in front of them to stop the Normans from advancing up the ridge.
15 / Feigned retreat / Tactic used by William to break through the Anglo-Saxon shield wall. His men pretended to retreat, which tempted some of Harold’s men to desert their shield wall position.
16 / Cavalry / Soldiers who fought on horseback. The presence of cavalry in William’s army may have given him an advantage during the battle of Hastings.
17 / Papal banner / A banner given to William by the Pope in support of his invasion of England. Used in the battle of Hastings to inspire William’s men and convince them that God was on their side.