1066 is, according to Sellar and Yeatman, the most memorable date in English history. It is certainly climatic and one of great characters from across the territories of England, Norway and Normandy. A series of conflicts that would see family betrayal, invasion and even the intervention of the Pope. 1066 changed everything.
The first great character of this scene is Harald Hardrada whose goal was to reestablish the North Sea Empire that Cnut had ruled. Cnut the Great had established a empire which included, England and parts of Scandinavia which gave great power and wealth. Harald himself is an interesting character who started his career at the age of fifteen fighting with his brother to secure the throne against Cnut. Their efforts were in vain and he was exiled to the Kievan Rus’ where he gained the nickname Thunderbolt of the North. His career took him to Yaroslav the Wise and then into Constantinople and the service of the Emperor by 1034. In the service of the Byzantine Emperor he served across the Mediterranean and even possibly in the Holy Land becoming fabulously wealthy and powerful. By 1042 he uses his wealth to become joint ruler of Norway and with the death of Magnus the Good became ruler of Norway. To recreate the North Sea Empire he harries the coast of Denmark and welcomes the exile Tostig, brother of Harald of Wessex, who offers him the throne of England.
The Rise of Harold Godwinson and William of Normandy
Harald of Wessex was before 1066 the most powerful layman in England after Edward the Confessor King of England. His fortune had been due to his father being awarded the Earldom of Wessex by Cnut which he ascends to in 1051. He has a strong reputation for being a competent commander fighting the Welsh at Hereford and then organising a campaign against the Welsh king Gruffydd ap Llywelyn which concluded with the kings death in 1063. Throughout this time he was becoming a focus for anti-Norman influence in England.
William of Normandy came across Harald of Wessex in 1064 when he was ship wrecked on the coast. Harald had been taken hostage by one of Williams allies who handed him over to William. William was the Duke of Normandy and had only just become secure in his territory. He had a powerful ally in Flanders through his marriage to Matilda and after twenty five years of struggle was now in a position to begin to expand his territory. During this time it is alleged that Harold made sacred oaths to help William secure the English throne and spent some time in his service against Williams few remaining rivals for Normandy.
Betrayal, Invasions, and the Battle of Hastings
Into this mix we have the strange character of Edward the Confessor. His character is for another blog but he does seem to have taken a number of contradictory, complicated actions and communications. He seems to have sent the Archbishop of Canterbury to offer the succession to William and whilst he is dying he told his wife that his kingdom was in the ‘protection’ of Harold. The Confessor dies on the 5th January 1066 and Harold of Wessex is chosen to be king by the witan and he is crowned the next day. This enrages William who marshals support from the Pope on the grounds that Harold swore a sacred oath on holy relics to aid him, Harold challenged this by saying any such oath was void given that it must have been given under duress.
Meanwhile in the North Tostig nearly causes a rebellion by doubling the tax in England. Harold dismisses and exiles his brother who flies to Norway to incite Harald Hardrada to invade England. Harold invades England and defeats the local armies near York but is himself defeated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge five days later on the 25th September. There is no time for celebration because news comes that William has landed on the south coast to which Harold marches meeting William at Hastings.
If 1066 is the most memorable year then Hastings is the most memorable battle. William famously wins at the Battle of Hastings and then is crowned King of England on Christmas Day of 1066. He will spend the rest of his life consolidating his power, putting down rebellions and struggling with his difficult son. Harold Hardrada whose career took him to the holy land and Harold of Wessex lie dead. Both are fertile subjects for ‘What if..’ counterfactual histories. Another casualty of the Norman conquest is the Viking and Saxon periods which come to an end at this time.