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The main reason often given for why Harold should not be king was because he had promised his support to William of Normandy. Oaths (promises) were taken very seriously in Medieval times and Harold was considered by William and the Pope to be an oath breaker, which was a very serious accusation in those days.
He had a history of arguing with Edward the Confessor.
I would like to improve the answer as follows:
Because the most rightful heir to the crown was Edgard Atheling but he was only a child and at that time the accession to the throne of an underage wasn't traditionally conceived unless backed by the overwhelming majority of the Witan.
As this majority didn't exist, Harold Godwinson successfully managed to propose his candidacy to the crown.
It was based upon his personal experience, private property in the South of England, wealthy, prestige, family power and more but far "royal " descendance, although it derived from his mother's Scandinavian king's ascendancy.
Anyway we can't stigmatize the fact as a real usurpation because:
1 - England hadn't never been strictly observant of a custom of hereditary succession to the throne;
2 - Edward the Confessor declared Harold his heir before his death;
3 - The Witan proclaimed Harold as its Sovereign.
Harold Godwinson shouldn't of been king because even himself promised William of Normandy he would help him to become king and also he was Earl of Wessex at the time!
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Who is better out of the three contenders in 1066?
You can not actually say who is the best out of the three contenders, William Duke of Normandy, Harold Godwinson and Harald Hardrada. William Duke of Normandy became the King of England, in 1066, after beating Harold Godwinson in the battle of Hastings. Harold Godwinson was promised the throne by Edward the Confessor on his deathbed, which was approved by a witan. Harald Hardrada was beaten by Harold Godwinson in Stamford bridge, but was also promised the throne by his father King Cnut. By Hammiixx
Why Harold Godwinson was better than Harold Hardragar and William of Normandy?
William, duke of Normandy was a better leader because he has more prepared and had better tactics than Harold Godwinson. He was able to adapt to the battle at Hastings, when the Brettons ran from his army he surrounded and killed the group of Saxons who followed them. If Harold had been able to adapt to the battle as well he might have defeated William. Idk ask the people that were there... oh wait............ THEY'RE DEAD!
Who was Harold Hardrada?
Harald Hardrada was a good fighter from Norway. He thought he had right to the English throne when Edward died so he went to battle with harold godwinson and supposably was killed then (battle at Stamford Bridge), but it is also thought he could have run away in fear.
Who defeated Harold Godwinson in the Battle of Hastings?
Duke William the Second of Normandy defeated King Harold the Second of Wessex at the Battle of Hastings. The battle occurred in October 1066 and Harold was killed.
Who was the last man to die in the Battle of Hastings?
Harold Godwinson was the last man to die in the battle of hastings
Who is better out of the three contenders in 1066?
You can not actually say who is the best out of the three contenders, William Duke of Normandy, Harold Godwinson and Harald Hardrada. William Duke of Normandy became the King of England, in 1066, after beating Harold Godwinson in the battle of Hastings. Harold Godwinson was promised the throne by Edward the Confessor on his deathbed, which was approved by a witan. Harald Hardrada was beaten by Harold Godwinson in Stamford bridge, but was also promised the throne by his father King Cnut. By Hammiixx
Who wanted to be king in the Battle of Hastings?
Harold Godwinson. Well, William of Normandy. Let's just say both guys did.
Why should William duke normany be king?
He was blood-related to Edward (cousins) and varius people say Edward and Harold Godwinson promised him that he could be King.:)
How are Harald Hardrada and Harold Godwinson connected in life?
They are connected because Harold Godwinson was supported by Harald Hardrada. So I wouldn't actually say that they were related.
Why Harold Godwinson was better than Harold Hardragar and William of Normandy?
William, duke of Normandy was a better leader because he has more prepared and had better tactics than Harold Godwinson. He was able to adapt to the battle at Hastings, when the Brettons ran from his army he surrounded and killed the group of Saxons who followed them. If Harold had been able to adapt to the battle as well he might have defeated William. Idk ask the people that were there... oh wait............ THEY'RE DEAD!
Harold Godwinson like the church?
yes because people say that he was a really religious man.
Who was Harold Hardrada?
Harald Hardrada was a good fighter from Norway. He thought he had right to the English throne when Edward died so he went to battle with harold godwinson and supposably was killed then (battle at Stamford Bridge), but it is also thought he could have run away in fear.
Who defeated Harold Godwinson in the Battle of Hastings?
Duke William the Second of Normandy defeated King Harold the Second of Wessex at the Battle of Hastings. The battle occurred in October 1066 and Harold was killed.
Why did the Norman conquest war start?
1066
Who was the last man to die in the Battle of Hastings?
Harold Godwinson was the last man to die in the battle of hastings
Who did Harold battle in the Battle of Hastings?
The battle of stamford bride which was Harold II Vs Harold hadrada some say the reason he didnt win the battle of hastings was becasue his army had to march 1000 miles up and down the country and his army were all tired and didnt have the strenght to fight although they did win the battle of stamford bridge After defeating Harold Hadrada at the hard fought Battle of Stamford Bridge, Harold Goodwinson's forces had to make a forced march across the width of England to meet William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings, just days later. His troops arrived at the battle exhausted.
What bad things did Harold Godwinson do?
He lied a lot !! and wanted to start a battle!!
