5 January 1066 was not a good day for Edward the Confessor, for that was the day he died. Far worse was yet to come for his Kingdom. His indecisiveness would soon spark one of the bloodiest periods in all of England’s history.
Ruling a medieval kingdom was no easy task, it was vital to keep the wealthy Earls on side or else rebellion and insurrection would surely be your downfall. The most powerful man in Edward’s Kingdom was Godwin, Earl of Wessex. Their relationship was complicated to say the least. Godwin had been involved in the murder of Edward's brother, but had also proved instrumental in helping him take the throne. Edward, by all accounts, loathed the man, but kept him sweet by marrying his daughter. The couple never produced an heir and Edward never seemed particularly interested in trying.
As he had spent much of his early life exiled in Normandy, Edward predominantly spoke French, much to the chagrin of his Anglo-Saxon court. Soon after taking the throne, he appointed his Norman friends as his chief advisors, infuriating the nobility, who saw them as invading foreigners, despite the fact that they themselves were descended from invading foreigners. This animosity boiled over and one of Edward’s new Norman advisors was attacked. Edward seized the opportunity this presented him. Godwin was blamed and banished. His title and land passed to his milder, more compliant son, Harold Godwinson, a master of domestic politics, as well as a loyal servant and friend to Edward.
The King finally had full control of his domain, but he had yet to deal with his biggest conundrum; with no son, who would take the throne when he died? Edward remained frustratingly indecisive, refusing to choose an heir, even as the years passed by. In 1064, with his health declining, he sent his faithful servant, Harold Godwinson, to meet William, Duke of Normandy and inform him that it was Edward’s express desire that the Duke be his successor. Harold promised to support the Duke’s claim when the time came.
And so it appeared that England’s future was certain, until, on his deathbed, Edward reversed his decision and promised the throne to Harold instead. The following day, Edward’s newly consecrated church, Westminster Abbey, played host to a strange double ceremony, the burial of Edward, swiftly followed by the coronation of Harold. But the damage was already done. Two men now believed they were the rightful ruler of England. As Harold tried to consolidate power, William prepared a fleet for invasion. Meanwhile the Vikings were preparing an attack in the North. A war of succession was about to begin. If you would like to see Westminster Abbey on a tour, check out our Essential Westminster Walking Tour, or you can find all of our walking tours here.
