Preparation for the Battle of Hastings - The Norman Invasion
The Battle of Hastings
and the Norman Invasion were turning points in the history of
England. The death of Edward the Confessor left England without a
clear heir to the throne. The rightful heir was Edgar the Aetheling,
but he was only a boy of just 10 years of age - he was not supported
by the powerful Nobles of England (the Witan). The other Anglo Saxon
contender was Harold Godwinson. He had no blood ties to any of the
previous Kings of England but he was rich and powerful - he was
given the throne and crowned King Harold of England. A Viking had a
loose claim to the English throne and he intended to claim what he
thought was his by right. And so did Duke William the Bastard of
Normandy! This was the
turbulent background to the bloody Battle of Hastings. Having
fought off the Viking invaders King Harold had no option but
to prepare for the Battle of Hastings and the Norman invasion.
Read about the events that led to this fateful day in English
history.
